" repeated "His Majesty."

Katie said nothing. She hurried toward the fireplace. "His Majesty"
followed. Mrs. Russell still clung to the royal person.

Katie pointed up the steps to the opening.

"Is it there?--begorra, mesilf never knowed it or suspected it."

He seized a torch that lay in the fireplace, and sprang up into the
opening. Then he lighted it.

"Aren't you going to take me, Your Sacred Majesty? Oh, leave me not!"

"Be jabers!" cried "His Majesty," "I'll baffle thim yet: yis,
ladies--I'll help yez--come along, thin."

Mrs. Russell came first; Katie then followed. Katie's motive in
following was nothing in particular, but several in general. In the
first place, she was afraid of the fighting-men bursting into the
room; in the second place, she naturally clung to the fortunes of her
auntie; and, finally, she had a vague idea of meeting with Harry.

Thus the two ladies followed, while "His Majesty" went ahead,
carrying the torch.

At length he came to a place where the stone opened into the
passage-way. It had been left open by Ashby. This place seemed to
"His Majesty" to lead in a more favorable direction, and accordingly
he turned in here. Then he descended the steps, and finally reached
an opening. He stood here and listened. The room below seemed empty.
He descended, requesting the ladies to wait a few moments. On
reaching the room, he perceived that it was closed. The door had not
been opened.

Ashby was not there, of course, as "His Majesty" knew; but "His
Majesty" was not a little surprised at seeing Dolores. There was no
chance for her to hide, so she stood looking at him. But her face was
pale, and sad, and frightened.

Before a word could be said, Mrs. Russell scrambled down, and came
clinging to "His Majesty." Katie followed, and, in great amazement,
saw Dolores. She at once ran up to her, put her arms around her, and
kissed her.

"I might accuse this senorita of high-traison," said "His Majesty,"
"but what's the use?"

"Oh, sire, spare her!" said Mrs. Russell. "Remember that mercy is
majesty's darling attribute."

"Bedad it is," said "His Majesty." "Who iver says it isn't? And you,
senorita," said "His Majesty" to Dolores, in Spanish--"you seem to
know the secret ways here."

"Yes."

"Why did you come here?"

"I fled here."

"His Majesty" smiled.

"Oh, I understand; but don't fear me. I wouldn't harm you--though
this does look like treason. Still, answer me frankly, do you