Paolo then returned to Hector’s room.  As the double sacks closing the orifice at his head had not been packed very tightly, enough air entered for Hector to breathe.  He increased the opening somewhat by pressing one of the sacks a little aside, but left it so that he could readily pull it into its position in the morning.  As soon as Paolo reached the room he applied a blistering plaster to his cheek and kept it on till he could no longer bear the pain, then he threw himself down on his pallet.  But neither he nor his master slept much, Hector being kept awake by the heat and discomfort of his position, and Paolo by the smarting of his cheek.  As soon as it was light the latter rose, and sat impatiently waiting for the time when the gates would open.  Looking into the courtyard, he could see the troops coming out from their quarters and moving about, then the gates opened, and, tying a bandage over his cheek, he went down and crossed the yard.

“You are out early,” the sergeant of the guard remarked.

He nodded.  “I am nigh mad with pain,” he said, pointing to his cheek, “and I am going to get some salve from an apothecary.”

“You seem to be bad indeed,” the sergeant said commiseratingly, “’tis a terrible inflammation.”

Paolo went down to the spot where he had hidden the bundles in the hollow of a tree.  It was an unfrequented place, and slipping his disguise over his clothes, after putting the pistols in his belt, he took the second bundle and returned to a street through which waggons leaving the castle must pass.  A few minutes later he saw them coming along.  He had already stuffed his cheek full of tow, and several people, struck with the raw and swollen appearance of his face, had compassionately asked him what was the matter.  He had simply shaken his head, opened his lips, and pointed to his clenched teeth, signifying that he could not speak.  He fell in with the waggons as they came along and passed through the gate without question.  When a short distance away from the town he made signs to the driver of the last waggon, that if he would give him a lift in the cart he would pay for some drink.  The carter nodded and told him to climb up.  After they had gone four miles from the town, they came to a wayside inn.

“Now is the time, master, they are all going in to get some drink.  There is no one about.”

The waggons all stopped there, for there had been no opportunity for the drivers to obtain refreshments as they passed through the town.  All therefore sauntered into the inn, their salutations to the host showing that they were accustomed to stop there.  Paolo followed them i n, and putting down the money for a large jug of beer, handed it to the carter, and, shaking him by the hand, made a motion that he was going no farther.  Then he went back to the end waggon.  Hector had already pushed out the bags in front of him and had with great difficulty crawled out.