“They have a guard there,” I whispered, my lips close to her ear.  “Is there no other way out?”

“Yes, on foot, but I supposed you would need a horse.”

“And there are horses there?”

“I do not know about any others; I understand the judge has lost all his, but the one Captain Le Gaire left for you this morning was taken there.”

“You know the situation,”—­the cavalryman’s eagerness for a mount overcoming all thought of danger,—­“how best to get in.”

“Yes; I went out there with Tom when the judge told him to put up the horse,—­I wanted to see how my pony was getting along.  The door is on that side to the east, just around the corner.  It is closed by a wooden button.  The pony is in the first stall, and the horse in the second; the saddle and bridle were hung on a peg behind,” she said this clearly, anxious to make me understand, but then, as the other thought came to her, her voice broke.  “But, Lieutenant Galesworth, you—­you cannot get the horse with the guard there!”

My clasp closed more tightly on her fingers, my resolve hardening.

“He’s only a man, perhaps sleepy and careless, while I am wide awake.  One must be willing to assume risk in war.  With the horse under me I have a chance, while on foot I should probably be caught before daylight.  Don’t worry; this is not my first attempt.”

“You—­you mean to try?”

“Certainly; I should be a poor specimen if I did not.  But I am going to say good-bye to you first, and then lie here quietly until you are safely in the house.”

She drew in a quick breath, her face lifting.

“The house!  I am going to remain here.”

“But the risk you run, and you can be of no help.”

“Oh, don’t argue!” impatiently.  “There is no more risk of my discovery here than there.  I want to know what happens; I would rather face anything than suspense.  Lieutenant Galesworth, I have always had my way, and I shall now.”

Down in my heart I rejoiced at her decision, but all I said was: 

“Very well, Miss Willifred, it makes me feel like a knight going forth to battle under the eyes of his lady.”  The slight flutter of a ribbon at her throat caught my eye, and I touched it with my finger.  “May I wear this in token of your good wishes?”

“You—­you are not going to kill any one?”

“Not if it can possibly be avoided.”

She was silent a moment, so still I could hear her breathing; then her hands undid the ribbon knot, and she held it toward me.

“I—­I do wish you well,” she said softly.  “I—­don’t know why, but I do.”

CHAPTER XIII

I MEET LE GAIRE

My hand touching her own seemed to work a sudden transformation.  She was instantly upon her feet facing me, drawing back a little against the grape arbor.

“Do not take my words so seriously,” she exclaimed.  “I am excited, almost hysterical to-night.  To-morrow I shall regret much I have done and said.  But you must go, Lieutenant; every moment of delay adds to your peril and mine.  No; please do not touch me or speak to me again; only listen—­there is a bridle path leading directly from the farther corner of the stable to the river; a gate will let you out of the orchard lot; now go!”