not be
alarmed," he whispered. "No one knows of Mr. Lorry's presence here save
the Prince, and if he dares to accuse you before Bolaroz our people will
tear him to pieces. No one will believe him."

"You--you can save him, then?" she gasped, joyously.

"If he will permit me to do so. Write to him what you will, your
Highness, and he shall have the message. Be brave and all will go well.
Write quickly! This is supposed to be the pardon."

She wrote feverishly, a thousand thoughts arising for every one that
she was able to transfer to the paper. When she had finished the
hope-inspired scrawl she arose and, with a gracious smile, handed to the
waiting captain the pardon for those who had secreted the fugitive.

"I grant forgiveness to them gladly," she said.

"I thank you," said Lorry, bowing low.

"Mr. Lorry, I regret the difficulty in which you find yourself. It was
on my account, too, I am told. Be you guilty or innocent, you are my
friend, my protector. May God be good to you." She gave him her hand
calmly, steadily, as if she were bestowing favor upon a subject. He
kissed the hand gravely.

"Forgive me for trespassing on your good nature tonight, your Highness.

"The five thousand gavvos shall be yours tomorrow, Captain Quinnox," she
said, graciously. "You have done your duty well." The faithful captain
bowed deep and low and a weight was lifted from his conscience.

"Gentlemen, the door," he said, and without a word the trio left the
room. She closed the door and stood like a statue until their footsteps
died away in the distance. As one in a daze she sat at the desk till the
dawn, Grenfall Lorry's revolver lying before her.

Through the halls, down the stairs and into the clammy dungeon strode
the silent trio.

But before Lorry stepped inside the cell Gabriel asked a question that
had been troubling him for many minutes.

"I am afraid I have--ah--misjudged her," muttered Gabriel, now convinced
that he had committed himself irretrievably.

"You will find she has not misjudged you," said the prisoner, grimly.
"Can't I have a candle in here, captain?"

"You may keep this lantern," said Quinnox, stepping inside the narrow
cell. As he placed the lantern on the floor he whispered: "I will return
in an hour. Read this!" Lorry's hand closed over the bit of perfumed
paper.

The Prince was now inside the cell, peering about curiously, even
timorously. "By the way, your Highness, how would you enjoy living i