"'Is well,' said her lover. 'All will go well if thou wilt but be
cautious.' Come to the outer door-I have the key.'

"'Shall we fly?' she asked.

"'Not to-night; preparation must be made. Perhaps to-morrow night,
for I have the watch here for two nights, and shall see you then.
Come down for a few moments.'

"In an instant more the lovers were folded in each other's arms.
Egbert had never before embraced her; but their present situation
was one to break down all barriers of mere formality, and Bettina
sobbed upon his breast, blessing him for his, courage in thus seeking
to rescue her. These were precious moments, and they improved them
in arranging everything for the coming night. Egbert, as she bade
him good night, handed her a jewelled dagger, saying that let what
might occur, she had that silent friend!

"It is just four weeks since the first instalment on the robber's
demanded ransom was paid, when the agent of Petard again appeared in
the hall of Botzletz Castle, confident in his personal security,
well knowing that the old man's daughter was the hostage held for
his safety and the fulfilment of the contract, and demands a second
quarter of the ransom. He was a dark, sinister looking Jew-for this
was the class through whom the bandits universally performed all
their business arrangements with people whom they could not
personally approach-himself interested by the large percentage which
was the payment for his part of the business. The Jew was most
pertinacious in his demand.