w that when the country is awake each day increases
the hazard of them and their plans being discovered. From their caution
I gather that they do not court discovery; and from that that they do not
wish for an open declaration of war. If this be so, why should we not
come out to them and force an issue if need be?"

When Teuta and I got a chance to be alone, we discussed the situation in
every phase. The poor girl was in a dreadful state of anxiety regarding
her father's safety. At first she was hardly able to speak, or even to
think, coherently. Her utterance was choked, and her reasoning palsied
with indignation. But presently the fighting blood of her race restored
her faculties, and then her woman's quick wit was worth the reasoning of
a camp full of men. Seeing that she was all on fire with the subject, I
sat still and waited, taking care not to interrupt her. For quite a long
time she sat still, whilst the coming night thickened. When she spoke,
the whole plan of action, based on subtle thinking, had mapped itself out
in her mind:

"We must act quickly. Every hour increases the risk to my father." Here
her voice broke for an instant; but she recovered herself and went on:

"If you go to the ship, I must not go with you. It would not do for me
to be seen. The Captain doubtless knows of both attempts: that to carry
me off as well as that against my father. As yet he is in ignorance of
what has happened. You and your party of brave, loyal men did their work
so well that no news could go forth. So long, therefore, as the naval
Captain is ignorant, he must delay till the last. But if he saw me he
would know that _that_ branch of the venture had miscarried. He would
gather from our being here that we had news of my father's capture, and
as he would know that the marauders would fail unless they were relieved
by force, he would order the captive to be slain."

"Yes, dear, to-morrow you had, perhaps, better see the Captain, but
to-night we must try to rescue my father. Here I think I see a way. You
have your aeroplane. Please take me with you into the Silent Tower."

"Not for a world of chrysolite!" said I, horrified. She took my hand and
held it tight whilst she went on:

"Dear, I know, I know! Be satisfied. But it is the only way. You can,
I know, get there, and in the dark. But if you were to go in it, it
would give warning to the enemies, and besides, my father would not
understand. Rem