d the place where the King of England was imprisoned,
and that night, from beneath a window, the minstrel heard his King's
well-remembered voice breathing a prayer for freedom. His hopes being
thus confirmed, he took his harp and played the melody which he himself
had composed for Richard. The King immediately joined in the familiar
lay. When its strains had ended, "Blondel!" cried the captive excitedly.
The minstrel cautiously replied by singing another song, telling how he
was pledged to liberate his master.

But suspicion was aroused, and Blondel was requested to depart on the
following day. Deeming it prudent to make no demur, he mounted his
horse, after having arranged with the castellan's niece to return
secretly at nightfall. He rode no further than an inn near Annweiler,
which commanded a view of the castle. There his host informed him that
the Emperor was presently to be crowned at Frankfort, and that on the
evening of that day the garrison would celebrate the event by drinking
his health.

The minstrel said that he would certainly join the company, ordered wine
for the occasion, and promised to pay the reckoning. He then withdrew to
seek his comrades. At dusk he returned stealthily to the castle, and at
his signal the maid appeared at a little postern and admitted him.

On the day of the Emperor's coronation stealthy forms crept among the
trees near by the castle, and concealed themselves in the thick foliage
of the underbrush. The garrison, gaily dressed, quitted the keep, the
drawbridge was lowered, and the men were soon quaffing the choice wine
which the stranger had ordered.

Meanwhile Blondel had appeared before the postern and had given his
accustomed signal; for a time there was no response, and the minstrel
was becoming impatient, when the gate was suddenly opened and the maiden
appeared.

The minstrel now told the girl his reason for coming hither: how he
hoped to liberate the captive monarch. As a reward for her connivance
he promised to take her with him to England. Then he beckoned to his
friends, there was a sudden rush, and armed forms thronged the postern.
The frightened maid, dreading lest violence should overtake her uncle,
shrieked loudly; but her cries were unheeded, and the English knights
pressed into the courtyard.

The assailants met with little resistance, seized the keys, threw open
the prison door, and liberated their King. The castellan protested
loudly, and threatened Richard