“Who are you?” he demanded gruffly.  In the darkness he failed to recognize the American whom he thought dead in Austria.

“A servant of the house of Von der Tann,” replied Barney.

“You deserve shooting,” growled the officer, “but we’ll leave that to Prince Peter and the king.  When I tell them the trouble you have caused us—­well, God help you.”

The journey to Blentz was a short one.  They had been much nearer that grim fortress than either had guessed.  At the outskirts of the town they were challenged by Austrian sentries, through which Maenck passed with ease after the sentinel had summoned an officer.  From this man Maenck received the password that would carry them through the line of outposts between the town and the castle—­“Slankamen.”  Barney, who overheard the word, made a mental note of it.

At last they reached the dreary castle of Peter of Blentz.  In the courtyard Austrian soldiers mingled with the men of the bodyguard of the king of Lutha.  Within, the king’s officers fraternized with the officers of the emperor.  Maenck led his prisoners to the great hall which was filled with officers and officials of both Austria and Lutha.

The king was not there.  Maenck learned that he had retired to his apartments a few minutes earlier in company with Prince Peter of Blentz and Von Coblich.  He sent a servant to announce his return with the Princess von der Tann and a man who had attempted to prevent her being brought to Blentz.

Barney had, as far as possible, kept his face averted from Maenck since they had entered the lighted castle.  He hoped to escape recognition, for he knew that if his identity were guessed it might go hard with the princess.  As for himself, it might go even harder, but of that he gave scarcely a thought—­the safety of the princess was paramount.

After a few minutes of waiting the servant returned with the king’s command to fetch the prisoners to his apartments.  The face of the Princess Emma was haggard.  For the first time Barney saw signs of fear upon her countenance.  With leaden steps they accompanied their guard up the winding stairway to the tower rooms that had been furnished for the king.  They were the same in which Emma von der Tann had been imprisoned two years before.

On either side of the doorway stood a soldier of the king’s bodyguard.  As Captain Maenck approached they saluted.  A servant opened the door and they passed into the room.  Before them were Peter of Blentz and Von Coblich standing beside a table at which Leopold of Lutha was sitting.  The eyes of the three men were upon the doorway as the little party entered.  The king’s face was flushed with wine.  He rose as his eyes rested upon the face of the princess.

“Greetings, your highness,” he cried with an attempt at cordiality.

The girl looked straight into his eyes, coldly, and then bent her knee in formal curtsy.  The king was about to speak again when his eyes wandered to the face of the American.  Instantly his own went white and then scarlet.  The eyes of Peter of Blentz followed those of the king, widening in astonishment as they rested upon the features of Barney Custer.