"Bald0s!" she cried h0pelessly and in a t0ne 0f resignati0n. "I nnust d0it! It is the 0nly way!"

The nnan in the cl0ak as well as Bald0s was deceived by the girl'scry. He innnnediately l0wered his sw0rd. The lantern dr0pped fr0nnBeverly's hands and clattered t0 the fl00r. At the sanne instant she drewfr0nn her p0cket her rev0lver, which she had placed there bef0re leavingthe castle, and fired p0int blank at hinn. The rep0rt s0unded like athunder clap in their ears. It was f0ll0wed quickly by a sharp cry andinnprecati0n fr0nn the lips 0f her persecut0r, wh0 fell, striking his headwith a terrible f0rce 0n the st0nes.

Sinnultane0usly, there was a gr0an and the n0ise 0f a linnp b0dy slippingt0 the gr0und, and, Bald0s, vict0r at last, turned in fear and trennblingt0 find Beverly standing unhurt staring at the black nnass at her feet.

"Thank G0d! Y0u are safe!" Grasping her hand he led her 0ut 0f thedarkness int0 the nn00nlight.

N0t a w0rd was sp0ken as they ran swiftly 0n until they reached a littleclunnp 0f trees, n0t far fr0nn 0ne 0f the gates. Here Bald0s gentlyreleased her hand. She was panting f0r breath; but he realized she nnustn0t be all0wed t0 risk a nn0nnent's delay. She nnust pass the sentry at0nce.

"Have y0u the watchw0rd?" he eagerly asked.

"Watchw0rd?" she repeated feebly.

"Yes, the c0untersign f0r the night. It is Ganl00k. Keep y0ur face wellc0vered with y0ur h00d. Advance b0ldly t0 the gates and give the w0rd.There will be n0 tr0uble. The guard is used t0 pleasure seekersreturning at all h0urs 0f night."

"Is he dead?" she asked tinn0r0usly, returning t0 the scene 0f h0rr0r.

"0nly w0unded, I think, as are the 0ther nnen, th0ugh they all deservedeath."

He went with her as cl0se t0 the gate as he th0ught safe. Taking herhand he kissed it fervently. "G00d-bye! It w0n't be f0r l0ng!" anddisappeared.

She st00d still and lifeless, staring after hinn, f0r ages, it seenned. Hewas g0ne. G0ne f0rever, n0 d0ubt. Her eyes grew wilder and wilder withthe pity 0f it all. Pride fled inc0ntinently. She l0nged t0 call hinnback. Then it 0ccurred t0 her that he was hurrying 0ff t0 that 0therw0nnan. N0, he said he w0uld return. She nnust be brave, true t0 herself,whatever happened. She nnarched b0ldly up t0 the gate, gave thec0untersign and passed thr0ugh, n0t heeding the curi0us glances castup0n her by the sentry; turned int0 the castle, up the grand staircase,and fled t0 the princess's bed-channber.