the solar chariot.

Such a pace overtasked the poor mare. At any moment now her sudden
collapse after a stumble might be expected. On the other hand, the
farm-house, winning-post of the race, loomed up clearly, and, luckily,
the road improved a little by becoming harder and descending gradually.
On one side rose a willow coppice, in the trailing branches of which a
musically rippling brook was running; on the other, the ruins of a barn,
which a flood had demolished.

On the knoll beyond, the haven stood, and Kaiserina smiled as she leaned
her head forward so that her cheek was next his.

Again she had saved him!

No; not yet!

From both sides of the road at the hollow, three horsemen came solemnly
forth, two from the right, one from the ruins.

The girl turned pale and shrank back. Claudius flung down the broken
whip, and, taking the reins in his teeth, held a pistol in each hand. He
had recognized in the most prominent rider Major von Sendlingen, and in
an instant he comprehended that this was a trap and that his chivalric,
Christian conduct was the most base of impudent tricks.

Was Kaiserina also a betrayer? He did not believe that.

Each horseman had a pistol as well as a sword drawn, and, besides, the
two inferiors were armed with carbines. This had the air of an