“Do you know how to blow up a bridge that is mined?” she demanded excitedly.

“Yes, pull out the pin,” Roderigo replied, “if it is a time fuse,” he spoke slowly and painstakingly.

“Pin?” Lucia exclaimed impatiently, “I don’t understand, you will have to come.  Listen, the Austrians are just a little way off across the river, they must not cross the bridge.”

Roderigo was alert at once.  The light came back into his eyes and his body stiffened.

“What are you saying?” he demanded.  “Do you mean, they are coming from that side?”

“Yes,” Lucia exclaimed, “there is no time to spare; hurry, I will help you.”

She put her strong, young arm about his waist, and by leaning most of his weight on her shoulder he managed to crawl along.  Lucia was half crazy with impatience, but she suited her step to his, and helped him all she could.

At last they reached the lower door.  She opened it hurriedly and the bridge was in sight, but so were the Austrians.  They were so near that what had seemed one solid mass now resolved itself into individual shapes.  To Lucia it seemed as if a great sea of men were rushing down upon them.

The exertion from the walk made Roderigo sway, and just before they reached the bridge he fell forward.  Lucia crouched down beside him, and begged and pulled until he was on the bridge.

“Now where is it?  Tell me what to do,” she begged, “see they are almost here.”

With a tremendous effort Roderigo pulled himself to the edge of the bridge and located the mine.  In a voice that was so weak that Lucia could hardly hear it he gave the directions.  Lucia obeyed.

“When will it go off?” she demanded.  “Will we have time to get away?”

Roderigo shrugged his shoulders.

“You will,” he said.  “Run as fast as you can, I don’t know how long it will take.”

Lucia did not wait to argue.  She caught him under his arms and dragged him back to the convent as fast as she could.

Roderigo had given up all hope, but as they drew nearer to the door of the convent, the wish to live asserted itself, and he got to his feet and ran with Lucia.  They did not stop until they were safe on the road beyond.  The last inhabitant of Cellino was out of sight, and it seemed as if they were alone.

They waited, Lucia supporting Roderigo’s head in her arms.

The explosion came, there was a crash, and then a great shaking of the earth.  Lucia listened, her eyes flashing.

“Wait here,” she said to Roderigo, “I will return at once.”  She ran hurriedly back to the convent and down again to the door.

The old bridge was ruined.  Great pieces of it were torn out and had fallen high on the banks.  The center span was entirely gone, and the river, broad and impassable, ran smoothly between the jagged ends.

Lucia did not stand long in contemplation of the scene before her.  She hurried back to the road.  A sister was beside Roderigo, and Lucia went to her.