rushed on my assailants. One of the thieves, they said, was for
fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the
rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in
spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the
station. Open country lay there and the promise of safety. My new
friends set off in pursuit; but a couple of revolver shots, heard
by me, but not understood, awoke their caution. Good Samaritans,
but not men of war, they returned to where I lay senseless on the
ground, congratulating themselves and me that an enemy so well
armed should run and not stand his ground. They forced a drink of
rough wine down my throat, and in a minute or two I opened my
eyes. They were for carrying me to a hospital; I would have none
of it. As soon as things grew clear to me again and I knew where
I was, I did nothing but repeat in urgent tones, "The Golden
Lion, The Golden Lion! Twenty crowns to carry me to the Golden
Lion."

Perceiving that I knew my own business and where I wished to go,
one picked up my hand-bag and the rest hoisted me into their
wagon and set out for the hotel where Rudolf Rassendyll was. The
one thought my broken head held was to get to him as soon as
might be and tell him how I had been fool enough to let myself be
robbed of the queen's letter.

He was there. He stood on the threshold of the inn, waiting for
me, as it seemed, although it was not yet the hour of my
appointment. As they drew me up to the door, I saw his tall,
straight figure and his red hair by the light of the hall lamps.
By Heaven, I felt as a lost child must on sight of his mother! I
stretched out my hand to him, over the side of the wagon,