ven you this plan of action
before, I know, but I desire to impress it firmly upon your minds. There
must not be the slightest deviation. The precision of clock-work is
necessary."

The man named Michael hissed the foregoing into the ears of his
companions, the palsied Americans hearing every word distinctly. They
scarcely breathed, so tremendous was the restraint imposed upon their
nerves. A crime so huge, so daring as the abduction of a Princess, the
actual invasion of a castle to commit the theft of a human being just as
an ordinary burglar would steal in and make way with the contents of a
silver chest, was beyond their power of comprehension.

"We understand fully how it is to be done, and we shall get her to
Ganlook on time," said Geddos, confidently.

"Not a hair of her head must be harmed," cautioned the arch-conspirator.
"In four days I shall meet you at Ganlook. You will keep her in close
confinement until you hear from me. Have you the guard's uniforms that
you are to wear to-night?"

"They are with the carriage in the ravine; Ostrom and I will don
them before going to the castle. In case we are seen they will throw
observers off the track long enough for us to secure a good start in our
flight."

"Remember, there is to be no failure. This may mean death to you;
certainly a long prison term if you are apprehended. I know it is a
daring deed, but it is just of the kind that succeeds. Who would dream
that mortal man could find the courage to steal a princess of the
realm from her bed and spirit her away from under the very noses of her
vaunted guardsmen? It is the bold, the impossible plan that wins."

"We cannot fail if your men on the inside do their work well,"
said Geddos, repeating what Ostrom had said. "All depends on their
faithfulness."

"They will not be found wanting. Your cut-throats must be sent on to
Caias with the empty carriage after you have reached Ganlook in safety.
You will need them no more. Ostrom will pay them, and they are to leave
the country as quickly as possible. At Caias they will be able to join
a pack-train that will carry them to the Great Northern Railroad. From
there they will have no trouble in reaching Vienna. You will explain to
them, Geddos. All we need them for, as you know, is to prove by their
mere presence in case of capture that the attempt was no more than a
case of burglary conceived by a band of Viennese robbers. There will be
no danger of capture if you onc