She was very much excited and alarmed
about you until the room filled with men and then she remembered how she
was attired. I never saw anything so pretty as her embarrassment when
the Countess and her aunt led her into the next room. These people are
going out, so I'll tell you what happened after you left me with the
cook. He was a long time falling under the influence, and I had barely
reached the top of the stairs when I saw Dannox rush down the hall. Then
you called, and I knew the jig was on in full blast. The door was open,
and I saw him strike you. I shot him, but she was at your side before
I could get to you. The other fellows who were in the room succeeded in
escaping while I was bending over you, but neither of them shot at me.
They were too badly frightened. I had sense enough left to follow
and shoot a couple of times as they tore down the stairs. One of them
stumbled and rolled all the way to the bottom. He was unconscious and
bleeding when I reached his side. The other fellow flew toward the
dining-hall, where he was nabbed by two white uniformed men
and throttled. Other men in white--they were regular police
officers--pounced upon me, and I was a prisoner. By George, I was
knocked off my feet the next minute to see old Dangloss himself come
puffing and blowing into the hall, redder and fiercer than ever. 'Now
I know what you want in Edelweiss!' he shrieked, and it took me three
minutes to convince him of his error. Then he and some of the men went
up to the Princess' room, while I quickly led the way to the big gate
and directed a half-dozen officers toward the ravine. By this, time
the grounds were alive with guards. They came up finally with the two
fellows who had been stationed beneath the window and who were unable
to find the gate. When I got back to where you were the room was full of
terrified men and women, half dressed. I was still dazed over the
sudden appearance of the police, but managed to tell my story in full to
Dangloss and Count Halfont--that's Uncle Caspar--and then the chief told
me how he and his men happened to be there. In the meantime, the castle
physician was attending to you. Dannox had been carried away. I never
talked to a more interested audience in my life! There was the Princess
at my elbow and the Countess--pretty as a picture--back of her, all
eyes, both of 'em; and there was the old gray-haired lady, the Countess
Halfont, and a half-dozen shivering maids, with men galore