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! You must aid me! Do you hear?"

Another heart-breaking moan. "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 time to be lost. I am no thief, before God!
I am telling you the truth. Do not be alarmed, I implore you.
Trust me, madam, and you will not regret 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 me if I attempt the
slightest 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.