never was there any one so helpless against the power of this wicked
man. I dread the coming of each day and yet mixed with my dread there
still is ever present that one small hope which will not be killed.

"I think I would have died but for this small hope," she added
wistfully. She paused now and seemed lost in the dark thoughts that
possessed her.

"All of them gone. Not one of them to remain with me."

"Sir Galahad," she turned to him. "It is not a pretty story. I seem to
be encompassed with tragedy. I would not include you in my woes, you
have other missions, other work ahead. And though you have the valor
and strength of ten, it would count for so little."

"My lady," the knight replied. "What use would such valor be, if I had
it, if I did not but use it for its full worth? Could I be a true
knight and not heed the call your sorrow brings? I can but try to help
you. And that, I swear, I will."

A light shone in the lady's eye. "I was not wrong to hope. Even now I
feel that succor must come. Your words, dear knight, give me strength.
Surely then, the storm has brought me some ray of that hope I speak
of."

"I shall devise some plan," Sir Galahad said, "wherein we can make
rescue of your daughter, and find out the fate of your son."

The Knight's thoughts were deep for many minutes. "Did this Sir
Dolphus say where your husband met his death?"