summons.

"Sister Ann," she said excitedly, "go up to the top of the tower and see
if my brothers are coming. They promised to come and see me to-day. If
they are on the road make signs to them to hurry as fast as they can. I
am in awful despair."

[Illustration: SISTER ANN WATCHING FROM THE TOWER]

Without waiting for an explanation the sister went to the top of the
tower and began her watch.

She was scarcely seated when her sister called up, "Sister Annie, do you
see any one coming?"

Annie answered, "I see nothing but the sun on the golden dust and the
grass which grows green."

In the meantime, Bluebeard, who had armed himself with a sharp, curved
scimitar, stood at the foot of the stairs waiting for his wife to come
down.

"Annie, sister Annie, do you see any one coming down the road?" cried
the wife again.

"No, I see nothing but the golden dust."

Then Bluebeard called out, "Come down quickly now, or I will come up to
you."