profoundly to the Princess and greeted Ignace with deepest respect.

They had of course no news of Rika but the Princess was able to impart
the good news to them and to tell them that, after they had eaten, they
could go to the Morris house and fetch the two girls, Ivan and Warren
back.

"I am not sure that we can do so tonight, Excellency," one said.
"There is great confusion in the house. A triple guard surrounds it.
So far the guards are no nearer than our doorway, but if they spread
their lines we will not be able to get back. I heard a soldier say
that two important prisoners had slipped out from under the very eyes
of the officers and could not be found. They are in hiding somewhere,
and every effort is being made to find them. They know they have not
left the building."

He glanced suspiciously at the strangers.

"Yes, they are here," said the Princess. In a few words she
explained. The man bowed low.

"By your leave, Excellency, I will take the others and go -- at once,"
he said. "One may eat some other time perhaps. We are in danger even
here, and I will not feel safe until we are on our way."

"Go then by all means," said Ignace. "He is quite right, mother, and
the sooner we are out of this, the better."

"Go, and in the meantime we will prepare for the journey."