ve Graustark until you have seen me. How rash you are to refuse
liberty and life for such a trifle. But why, I ask, am I offering you
this chance to escape? Is it because I do not hope to see you again?
Is it not enough that I am begging, imploring you to go? I can say no
more."

He folded the brief note, written in agitation, and, after kissing it,
proceeded to place it in his pocket, determined to keep it to the
last hour of his life. Glancing up at a sound from the guard, he found
himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver. A deep scowl overspread
the face of the man as he pointed to the letter and then to the lamp.
There was no mistaking his meaning. Lorry reluctantly held the note over
the flame and saw it crumble away as had its predecessor. There was to
be no proof of her complicity left behind. He knew it would be folly to
offer a bribe to the loyal guard.

After this very significant act the guard's face cleared, and he
deposited his big revolver on the table. Stepping to the cell's entrance
he listened intently, then softly closed the heavy iron doors. Without
a word he began to strip off his uniform, Lorry watching him as if
fascinated. The fellow looked up impatiently and motioned for him to be
quick, taking it for granted that the prisoner understood his part of
the transaction. Awakened by this sharp reminder, Lorry nervously began
to remove his own clothes. In five minutes his garments were scattered
over the floor and he was attired in the uniform of a guard. Not a word
had been spoken. The prisoner was the guard, the guard a prisoner.

"Are you not afraid this will cost you your life?" asked Lorry, first
in English, then in German. The guard merely shook his head, indicating
that he could not understand.

He quickly turned to the bed, seized a sheet and tore it into strips,
impatiently thrusting them into the other's hands. The first letter had
foretold all this, and the prisoner knew what was expected of him. He
therefore securely bound the guard's legs and arms. With a grim smile
the captive nodded his head toward the revolver, the lantern and the
keys. His obliging prisoner secured them, as well as his own personal
effects, and was ready to depart. According to instructions he was to
go forth, locking the doors behind him, leaving the man to be discovered
the next morning by surprised keepers. It struck him that there was
something absurd in this part of the plan. How was this guard to explain