The girl’s seriousness fled, and she smiled at him.

“As you have had some experience of my obstinacy, and proposed an even harsher remedy than that—­”

“Ah, you forget,” interrupted Roland, “that I apologized for my lack of manners.  I hope during our journey to Nonnenwerth I may earn complete forgiveness.”

“Oh, you are forgiven already, which is magnanimous of me, when you recollect that the fault was wholly my own.  I will join you in the courtyard at once if I may.”

“Very well.  I shall be down there after I have given final instructions to my men.”

Roland arrived at the north window, and saw that the flotilla had already departed.  He could discern Ebearhard standing with his hand on the prow of the remaining boat, so pulled up the rope, untied it from the ring to which it was fastened, and threw it down to his lieutenant.

“A rope is always useful,” he whispered, “and we will puzzle the good Pfalzgraf regarding our exit.”

In the courtyard he found the three women awaiting him.  Quietly he drew back the heavy bolts, and undid the stout chains.  Holding the door slightly ajar, he peered out at the scene on the landing, brightly illuminated by numerous torches which the servants held aloft.

The men-at-arms were enjoying themselves hugely, and the great heap of bales already on the rocks showed that they resolved not to leave even one package on the barge.  The fact that they stood in the light prevented their seeing the exit of the quartette from the Castle, even had any been on the outlook.

Roland swung the door wide, placed the ladder in exactly the same position it had formerly occupied, assisted the three women to the ground, and then led them round the western side of the Castle through the darkness to Ebearhard and his skiff.  Dipping their paddles with great caution, they kept well out of the torchlight radius.

As they left the shadow of the Castle, and came within sight of the party on the landing, they were somewhat startled by a lusty cheer.

“Ah,” said Ebearhard, “they have discovered our barrels of gold.”

“’Tis very likely,” replied Roland.

“Still,” added Ebearhard consolingly, “I think we have made a good exchange.  There appears to be more money in Stahleck’s bags than in our two barrels.”

“By the Three Kings!” cried Roland, staring upstream, “the barge is getting away.  They have looted her completely, and are giving her a parting salute.  The robbers evidently bear no malice against our popular captain.  Hear them inviting him to call again!”

They listened to the rattle of the big chain.  It was more amenable than that at Furstenberg, confirming Roland in his belief that Stahleck was the inventor of the device.  They saw half a dozen men paying out a rope, while the first section of the chain sank, leaving a passage-way for the barge.  Silhouetted against the torchlight, the boatmen were getting ready with their sweeps, prepared to dip them into the water as soon as the vessel got clear of the rocky island.