y."

"Am I to see her before I go?"

"That is something I cannot answer, sir. My instructions are to place
you in the carriage and ride beside the driver until our destination is
reached."

"Is it the castle?" cried the other, joyously.

"It is not the castle," was the disappointing answer.

At that moment they came upon a great dark hulk and heard the stamping
of horses' hoofs close at hand. It was so dark they could scarcely
discern the shape of the carriage, although they could touch its side
with their hands.

A soldier stood in the shelter of the vehicle and opened the door for
the American.

"Hurry! Get in!" exclaimed Quinnox.

"I wish to know if this is liable to get her into trouble," demanded
Lorry, pausing with one foot on the steps.

"Get in!" commanded the soldier who was holding the door, pushing him
forward uneasily. He floundered into the carriage where all was dry and
clean. In his hand he still carried the keys and the lantern, the slide
of which he had closed before leaving the prison yard. He could not see,
but he knew that the trappings of the vehicle were superior. Outside he
heard the soldier, who was preparing to enter, say:

"This carriage travels on most urgent business for Her Royal Highness,
captain. It is not to be stopped."

A moment later he was inside and the door slammed. The carriage rocked
as Quinnox swung up beside the driver.

"You may as well be comfortable," said Lorry's companion, as he sat
rigid and restless. "We have a long and rough ride before us."

XIX. THE SOLDIER

Off went the carriage with a dash, the rumbles of its wheels joining in
the grewsome roar of the elements. For some time the two sat speechless,
side by side. Outside the thunder rolled, the rain swirled and hissed,
the wind howled and all the horrors of nature seemed crowded into the
blackness of that thrilling night. Lorry wondered vaguely whither they
were going, why he had seen no flashes of lightning, if he should ever
see her again. His mind was busy with a thousand thoughts and queries.

"Where are we going?" he asked, after they had traveled half a mile or
so.

"To a place of safety," came the reply from the darkness beside him.

"Thanks," he said, drily. "By the way, don't you have any lightning in
this part of the world? I haven't seen a flash to-night."

"It is very rare," came the brief reply.

"Devilish uncommunicative," thought Lorry.

After a moment he asked: "How fa