e?" said one, in a low voice.

"A friend," said Dolores.

"Where?" asked the man, in surprise.

"Come to the chimney," said Dolores.

The two men went there, till they reached the fireplace.

"Where are you?" asked they.

Dolores did not think it necessary to tell them the truth just yet.

"I'm in the room above," said she. "I'm speaking through an opening
in the flue. I can help you, if you will be cautious and patient."

"Who are you?"

"A prisoner. I know the way out. I can help you. Be cautious. Is the
English prisoner with you?"

"No," said the Carlist, wondering what sort of a prisoner this could
be, and why this prisoner asked after the Englishman.

Dolores questioned them further, and the men told all they knew. They
had overheard the words that had passed between Ashby and Lopez, and
told what they had heard.

From these Dolores gained new light upon the facts of the case.
Having been a witness to the scene in the station at Madrid, she at
once perceived that this enemy of Ashby's could be no other than that
man in civilian dress, but of military aspect, with whom he had had
the quarrel, who had been forced to leave the carriage of the
Russells. This man had travelled in the same train. He had been
captured, plundered, and then set free with the other Spaniards.
Dolores conjectured that he had obtained somc soldiers, surprised the
castle, and freed Katie. She also felt that Ashby was now a prisoner
once more, in the hands not of a mere robber, but of his bitterest
enemy.

Thus the whole truth flashed upon her mind.

But where was Ashby?

That she could not tell as yet. She could only hope, and make plans.

"Can we come up to you?" asked the Carlists.

"No," said Dolores. "Besides, there's no escape here. I can come to
you, and I will do so before long. Do not sleep too soundly. Do not
wake the others. Be ready to act when I come."

The men readily promised this.

"But why can't we go now? why can't you help us now?" they asked.

"We can't go away from this," said Dolores, "without the English
prisoner. But with him we shall surely escape; so be ready to act
when I give the word."

CHAPTER XLIII.

HOW KATIE FEELS DEJECTED, AND HOW LOPEZ FEELS DISAPPOINTED.

There is no need to enlarge upon Katie's feelings, as she sat in her
lonely chamber, buried in thoughts which were both sweet and painful.
We all know perfectly well what they must have been, for we all
understand abou