t, but to die! He could think of no other hope--no other way than
this. "Yes, I will die!" His life's courage, his life's energy, was
exhausted. He had closed his account with the world. Slowly he raised
his hand aloft with the broken knife, and collecting all his strength
for one last, decisive blow, he bowed and cut the vein of his left foot,
then raised his head with a smile of triumph, and stretching out his
left arm he forced the stump of his knife deep into the large vein of
his elbow. The deed was done! He felt the warm blood flowing from his
veins--he felt that with it also was sweeping by the miserable
remnant of his buried existence. His thoughts wandered, and a happy
insensibility overpowered him, and now his blessed spirit floated
chainless and free beyond this drear prison. The necessities of this
poor life and its tortures were overcome.

But what was that? Who called his name lightly from without, and made
the air of this living grave tremble with unwonted tones?

When this call was repeated the second time, Trenck felt a light
trembling in his whole frame. The whisper of his name had called back
his fleeting spirit. The godlike dream of release was at an end; Trenck
lived again, a suffering, defenceless man. For the third time he heard
his name called--for the third time a voice, as if from heaven, rang,
"Trenck! Trenck!"

Trenck gathered all his little strength, and replied:

"Who calls me?"

"It is I," said the faithful Gefhart; "have I not sworn to bring you
help? I have crept over the wall only to say to you that I think of
you--that you must not despair--that help is nigh, even at the door. An
unknown friend has sent you a greeting by me; he has given me a roll
of gold to be useful in your flight. Come near, I will throw it to you
through the window."

"It is too late, Gefhart, all is too late! I lie bathed in my blood;
to-morrow they will find me dead!"

"But why die?" cried the fresh, strong voice of Gefhart; "why wish for
death, now when escape is possible? Here there are no guards, and I
will soon find a way to furnish you with tools. Try only to break your
prison--for the rest I will remain responsible."

"Alas, I tried to-night and I failed!" said Trenck. A few tears stole
from his eyes and rolled slowly over his hollow cheeks.

"You will succeed better another time, Baron Trenck; whenever I am on
guard here I will seek an opportunity to speak with you, and we will
arrange all. Do n