wittingly touched upon a tender point.

"Pardon me," said he, "this is all I wish to get at. You are not a
politician, not a political agent, not a spy?"

"Certainly not."

"Nor a newspaper correspondent?"

"No."

"Not even an artist?"

"No; nothing but a simple English lady, and only anxious to get back
home."

"Very well--very good!" said the priest, approvingly. "And you shall
go home, too; but remember what I said, and trust in me. And now let
us see what we had better do. I've been here before, all through and
through this country, and know it like a book. Now just over there, a
little to the west, there is an old unoccupied castle, which is in
very good condition, considering that it's a thousand years old. It
is just the place for us. Unfortunately, there may be others in it,
for it is held from time to time by the one or the other of the
fighting factions; yet, even in that case I know of an odd corner or
two where we can elude observation for the present; for it is a
very--a monstrously large castle, and I happen to know the ins and
outs of it pretty well. I can assure you a good night's rest there."

"It is not inhabited, you say."

"No, not as a general thing."

"I'm sorry for that. If it were, the people would perhaps give us
shelter and food, and help us on our way."

"The people would perhaps give us more shelter than we might care
for. But come--we ought to be off, for you need rest, and that soon."

The lady said nothing, but walked along with the priest. For about a
quarter of a mile they followed the road, and then turned away to the
left over the country. Here their pathway lay over the flank of the
mountain, and traversed open fields which were used for pasture. The
moon shone brightly, illuminating the scene, and the priest walked
with the assured air of one who knew his way thoroughly.

The lady, who all along had seemed much fatigued, now began to give
more evident signs of distress. The priest made her take his arm: she
did so, and for a time was relieved. He sought to cheer her with
encouraging words. She responded nobly, and certainly made all the
effort in her power; but her strength had that day been too sorely
tasked, and threatened to fail her utterly. At last she sank to the
ground, and sat there, while the priest waited patiently.

"Courage!" said he. "Cheer up! We shall soon be there now."

After a short rest the lady recovered a little, and made a final
effort. They