e League. We shall act partly as Anna's guards. She does
not know that; she herself is utterly reckless of danger, but I have
determined to protect her as far as possible, as you also are
determined, eh, _mon ami_? Also we shall give aid where we can, endeavor
to prevent unnecessary violence, and save those who are unable to defend
themselves. That, in outline, is the program; we must fill in the
details from one moment to the next, as occasion serves. I gather my
little band as I go," he continued, speaking, like a true son of the
saddle, in an even, deliberate voice that sounded distinct over the
monotonous thud of the horses' hoofs. "Yossof has carried word, and the
first recruits await us outside the village yonder. They are all picked
men, members of the League; some have served in the army, and--"

From far in our rear came a dull, sinister roar, followed by a kind of
vibration of the ground under our feet, like a slight shock of
earthquake.

[Illustration: "_My God, how they hate me!" I heard Loris say softly._
Page 259]

We pulled up, all four of us, and, turning in our saddles, looked back.
We were nearing the verge of the great undulating plain, and the village
from whence in daylight the first view of the castle, some eight versts
distant, was obtained. Even now the long range of lights from the left
wing could be seen distinctly, like a galaxy of stars near the horizon,
but from the right wing, where the Duke's apartments were, shone a faint
reddish glow, which, as we looked, increased rapidly, revealing clouds
of black smoke.

"An explosion," grunted Mishka. "Some one has wrecked the state
apartments, and they are afire. There will be a big blaze. If you had
been there,--well, we are all well out of it!"

He rode on with his father; but Loris and I remained as if spellbound
for a minute or more, staring at the grim light that waxed brighter
every instant, till we could actually see the flames darting through the
window spaces and up the outer walls. The place was already a raging
furnace.

"My God, how they hate me!" I heard Loris say softly. "Yet, I have
escaped them once again; and it is well; it could not be better. I am
free at last!"

CHAPTER XL

A STRICKEN TOWN

We rode on, avoiding the village, which remained dark and silent; the
sleeping peasants had either not heard or not heeded the sound and shock
of the explosion.

When we regained the road on the further side, two mounted