be locked up with the other prisoners?" thought the commandant:
"impossible--but I will go and see."

He descended and opened the door of the dungeon, looked in, and was
about to return without speaking, when Krantz said, "Well, signor, this
is kind treatment, after having lived so long and so amicably together;
to throw us into prison merely because a fellow declares that we are not
what we represented ourselves to be; perhaps you will allow us a little
water to drink?"

The commandant, confused by the extraordinary disappearance of Schriften
hardly knew how to reply. He at last said in a milder tone than was to
be anticipated, "I will order them to bring some, signor."

He then closed the door of the dungeon and disappeared.

"Strange," observed Philip, "he appears more pacified already." In a
few minutes the door was again opened, and Pedro came in with a chatty
of water.

"He has disappeared like magic, signors, and is nowhere to be found. We
have searched everywhere, but in vain."

"Who?--the little old seaman?"

"Yes, he whom you kicked as you were led to prison. The people all say,
that it must have been a ghost. The sentry declares that he never left
the fort, nor came near him; so how he has got away is a riddle, which I
perceive has frightened our commandant not a little."

Krantz gave a long whistle as he looked at Philip.

"Are you to have charge of us, Pedro?"

"I hope so."

"Well, tell the commandant that when he is ready to listen to me, I have
something of importance to communicate."

Pedro went out.

"Now, Philip, I can frighten this little man into allowing us to go
free, if you will consent to say that you are not the husband of Amine."

"That I cannot do, Krantz. I will not utter such a falsehood."

"I was afraid so, and yet it appears to me that we may avail ourselves
of duplicity to meet cruelty and injustice. Unless you do as I propose,
I hardly know how I can manage it; however, I will try what I can do."

"I will assist you in every way, except disclaiming my wife: that I
never will do."

"Well, then, I will see if I can make up a story that will suit all
parties: let me think."

Krantz continued musing as he walked up and down, and was still occupied
with his own thoughts, when the door opened, and the commandant made his
appearance.

"You have something to impart to me, I understand--what is it?"

"First, sir, bring that little wretch down here and confront him