housand times over, but you will be safe. That's all
we--I mean, all she wants."

"But I cannot desert my friend. How is he to know where I've gone? Will
not vengeance fall on him instead?"

"He shall know everything when the proper time comes. And now, will
you be ready at the hour mentioned. You have but to follow the
instructions--I should say, the commands of the writer."

"And be free! Tell her that I worship her for this. Tell her that every
drop of blood in my body belongs to her. She offers me freedom, but
makes me her slave for life. Yes, I shall be ready. If I do not see you
again, good friends, remember that I love you because you love her and
because she loves you enough to entrust a most dangerous secret to your
keeping,--the commission of an act that may mean the downfall of your
nation." He shook hands with them fervently.

"It cannot be that, sir. It may cost the lives of three of her subjects,
but no man save yourself can involve the Princess or the Crown. They may
kill us, but they cannot force us to betray her. I trust you will be
as loyal to the good girl who wears a crown, not upon her heart," said
Dangloss, earnestly.

"I have said my life is hers, gentlemen," said Lorry, simply. "God, if
I could but throw myself at her feet! I must see her before I go. I will
not go without telling her what is in my heart!" he added, passionately.

"You must obey the commands implicitly, on your word of honor, or the
transaction ends now," said Quinnox, firmly.

"This escape means, then, that I am not to see her again," he said, his
voice choking with emotion.

"Her instructions are that you are to go tonight, at once," said
Dangloss, and the black-eyed soldier nodded confirmation.

The prisoner paced the floor of his cell, his mind a jumble of
conflicting emotions. His clenched hands, twitching lips and half-closed
eyes betrayed the battle that was inflicting him with its carnage.
Suddenly he darted to the door, crying:

"Then I refuse to obey! Tell her that if she permits me to leave this
hole I shall be at her feet before another night has passed. Say to her
that I refuse to go from Graustark until I have seen her and talked with
her. You, Quinnox, go to her now and tell her this, and say to her also
that there is something she must hear from my own lips. Then I
will leave Graustark and not till then, even though death be the
alternative." The two men stared at him in amazement and consternation.