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There could be no further hesitation Soently closed the door before answering the third question In his nervousness he spoke in English, advancing to the middle of the roo threat-he only could speculate as to its effect: "If you utter a sound, madam, I shall kill you Be calm, and allow me to explainthat she ht not understand his words Instead there was a deathly silence Had she swooned? His heart was leaping with hope But she spoke softly again, trelish: "You will find o You will not hurt me?"

"I am not here to do you injury, but to serve your Princess," whispered the man "For God's sake, do notWill you let er Oh, how can I expectto a wail of terror

"Sh! Do you want to die?" he hissed, striding to the canopy bed, discernible as his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness "I will kill you if you utter a sound, so help me God!"

"Oh!" she moaned

"Listen! Youmoan "I am here to save the Princess There is a plot to abduct her to-night Already there are men in the castle, perhaps in her room You must tell me where she sleeps There is no ti you the truth Do not be alarret it Where does the Princess sleep?" He jerked out these eager, pleading words quickly, breathlessly

"How am I to trust you?" came back a whisper from the bed

"Here is a revolver! Take it and kill htest injury Where are you?" He felt along the bed with his hand

"Keep away! Please! Please!" she sobbed

"Take the pistol! Be calm, and in heaven's name help me to save her Those wretches may have killed her already!"

The revolver dropped upon the clothes He was bending eagerly over, holding the curtains back

"My friend is in the hall We have traced the men to the Princess's door, I think My God, be quick! Do you wish to see her stolen from under your eyes?"

"You are now in the Princess's room," answered the voice from the bed, calmer and with some alacrity "Is this true that you tell me?"