For the balance of the day they tramped on in the direction of Lustadt, making but little progress owing to the fear of apprehension.  They did not dare utilize the high road, for they were still too close to Blentz.  Their only hope lay in reaching the protection of Prince von der Tann before they should be recaptured by the king’s emissaries.  At dusk they came to the outskirts of a town.  Here they hid until darkness settled, for Barney had determined to enter the place after dark and hire horses.

The American marveled at the bravery and endurance of the girl.  He had always supposed that a princess was so carefully guarded from fatigue and privation all her life that the least exertion would prove her undoing; but no hardy peasant girl could have endured more bravely the hardships and dangers through which the Princess Emma had passed since the sun rose that morning.

At last darkness came, and with it they approached and entered the village.  They kept to unlighted side streets until they met a villager, of whom they inquired their way to some private house where they might obtain refreshments.  The fellow scrutinized them with evident suspicion.

“There is an inn yonder,” he said, pointing toward the main street.  “You can obtain food there.  Why should respectable folk want to go elsewhere than to the public inn?  And if you are afraid to go there you must have very good reasons for not wanting to be seen, and—­” he stopped short as though assailed by an idea.  “Wait,” he cried, excitedly, “I will go and see if I can find a place for you.  Wait right here,” and off he ran toward the inn.

“I don’t like the looks of that,” said Barney, after the man had left them.  “He’s gone to report us to someone.  Come, we’d better get out of here before he comes back.”

The two turned up a side street away from the inn.  They had gone but a short distance when they heard the sound of voices and the thud of horses’ feet behind them.  The horses were coming at a walk and with them were several men on foot.  Barney took the princess’ hand and drew her up a hedge bordered driveway that led into private grounds.  In the shadows of the hedge they waited for the party behind them to pass.  It might be no one searching for them, but it was just as well to be on the safe side—­they were still near Blentz.  Before the men reached their hiding place a motor car followed and caught up with them, and as the party came opposite the driveway Barney and the princess overheard a portion of their conversation.

“Some of you go back and search the street behind the inn—­they may not have come this way.”  The speaker was in the motor car.  “We will follow along this road for a bit and then turn into the Lustadt highway.  If you don’t find them go back along the road toward Tann.”

In her excitement the Princess Emma had not noticed that Barney Custer still held her hand in his.  Now he pressed it.  “It is Maenck’s voice,” he whispered.  “Every road will be guarded.”