a hostage: but never mind that, I
must take my chance. Do you contrive to escape somehow or other, and
rejoin Amine."

"Not so," rejoined Philip; "you must go with me, my friend: I feel that,
should I part with you, happiness would no longer be in store for me."

"Nonsense--that is but an idle feeling: besides, I will evade him
somehow or another."

"I will not show the treasure unless you go with me."

"Well, you may try it at all events."

A low tap at the door was heard. Philip rose and opened it (for they
had retired to rest), and Pedro came in. Looking carefully round him,
and then shutting the door softly, he put his finger on his lips, to
enjoin them to silence. He then in a whisper told them what he had
overheard. "Contrive, if possible, that I go with you," continued he;
"I must leave you now; he still paces his room." And Pedro slipped out
of the door, and crawled stealthily away along the ramparts.

"The treacherous little rascal! But we will circumvent him if
possible," said Krantz, in a low tone. "Yes, Philip, you are right, we
must both go, for you will require my assistance. I must persuade him
to go himself. I'll think of it--so, Philip, good night."

The next morning Philip and Krantz were summoned to breakfast; the
Commandant received them with smiles and urbanity. To Philip he was
peculiarly courteous. As soon as the repast was over, he thus
communicated to him his intentions and wishes:--

"Signor, I have been reflecting upon what your friend told me, and the
appearance of the spectre yesterday, which created such confusion; it
induced me to behave with a rashness for which I must now offer my most
sincere apologies. The reflections which I have made, joined with the
feelings of devotion which must be in the heart of every true Catholic,
have determined me, with your assistance, to obtain this treasure
dedicated to the holy church. It is my proposal that you should take a
party of soldiers under your orders, proceed to the island on which it
is deposited, and having obtained it, return here. I will detain any
vessel which may in the mean time put into the roadstead, and you shall
then be the bearers of the treasure and of my letters to Goa. This will
give you an honourable introduction to the authorities, and enable you
to pass away your time there in the most agreeable manner. You will,
also, signor, be restored to your wife, whose charms had such an effect
upon me; and fo