crisis
is approaching. And the fun of it is she doesn't know that it's me,
and not her, that 'His Majesty' means."

"You! Oh, Katie, don't talk in that indifferent way."

"Why?"

"Oh, don't you see? You are here so much in his power. Oh, we must
fly. I'll hunt along the passage to-night, and I'm sure I'll find
something. I'm sure there must be a way out."

"But I don't want to go," said Katie; "that is, not just yet."

"Not want to go?"

"No, not till I have some more fun, and see how this is going to end;
but--"

Here Katie stopped abruptly and clutched Harry's arm convulsively.
Harry, too, at the same instant started, and both stood peering into
the dark, and listening attentively.

For there had come a sudden noise.

It was a very peculiar and a very startling noise. It was a low,
shuffling sound, as of some one moving stealthily, and it arose from
the direction of the fireplace--the very place where Harry's retreat
would lie in case of discovery. But now that retreat seemed cut off;
and there seemed to be some one there who, perhaps, had come on his
track. Harry's only thought was that his room had been entered and
his absence discovered, upon which his guards had at once come
through in search of him. How many there were he could not tell. He
could do nothing, however. He could only stand still and watch. Soon,
he thought, others would come; lights would be produced, and he would
be discovered.

"Leave me!" said Harry, in a faint whisper. "It's one of the guards.
I'm lost!"

Katie's answer thrilled through every nerve of the listener.

"Then if you are lost, I will be lost with you!"

Saying this, she twined both her arms round his arm, and held it
pressed tight to her throbbing heart.

Harry stood erect, vigilant, staring.

CHAPTER XXX.

HOW SEVERAL OF OUR FRIENDS FIND THEMSELVES IN A MOST EXTRAORDINARY
SITUATION.

So Harry stood, with his retreat cut off, staring into the darkness,
while Katie, clinging to him, awaited the result. Harry expected
every minute that lights would be produced and everything revealed.
But the lights did not come, and the discovery was delayed. There
occurred a pause, during which Harry waited, after which the sliding,
shuffling sounds recommenced.

They now came nearer. Then came the sound of a stealthy
footfall--very slow, too, and very cautious. The new-comer, the
supposed pursuer, whoever he was, seemed now to be in the room, and
cautiously adva