your companion. I trust that he is unharmed, and that we have arrived in
time to prevent those villains from carrying out their intentions." He
stooped over the fallen man. "Are you hurt badly, sir?" he asked. The
answer was an effort on the part of the person he addressed to rise.

"I am hurt, but I think not sorely." He was unable for the moment to rise,
for the man whom Edgar last struck lay across him. Edgar at once hauled
the moaning wretch off him, and held out his hand to the other, who
grasped it with more heartiness than he had expected, and rose without
difficulty to his feet.

"Where is my daughter?" he exclaimed.

[Illustration: "IN A MOMENT EDGAR'S SWORD FELL ON THE RUFFIAN'S WRIST."]

"She is here and unhurt, I trust," Albert replied. "The villain released
her and ran off, and I saw her figure sway, and ran forward just in time
to save her from falling. I think she has but swooned."

"Thanks be to the saints!" the stranger exclaimed. "Gentlemen, I cannot
thank you at present for the service that you have rendered me, but of
that I will speak later. Know you any place where you can take my child?"

"We are strangers, sir; but there should surely be some hostelry near
where travellers could put up outside the walls."

The noise of the combat had aroused some of the neighbours, and on inquiry
Edgar ascertained that there was an inn but a short distance away.

"Let me carry the maid, Albert. Her weight would be naught to me."