and find them out for himself.  This authoritative message brought Quinnox back two nights later with the full story of the exciting conference.  She implored him to remain where he was, and asked his forgiveness for having kept the ugly truth from him.  Quinnox added to his anguish by hastily informing him that there was a possibility of succor from another principality.  Prince Gabriel, he said, not knowing that he was cutting his listener to the heart, was daily with the Princess, and it was believed that he was ready to loan Graustark sufficient money to meet the demand of Bolaroz.  The mere thought that Gabriel was with her aroused the fiercest resentment in Lorry’s breast.  He writhed beneath the knowledge that she was compelled to endure his advances, his protestations of love, his presence.

As he paced his narrow room distractedly a horrid thought struck him so violently that he cried aloud and staggered against the wall, his eyes fixed on the face of the startled soldier.  Perhaps she might submit to Gabriel, for in submitting she could save not only Graustark, but the man she loved.  The sacrifice —­but no! he would not believe that such affliction could come to her!  Marry Gabriel!  The man who had planned to seize her and make her his wanton!  He ground his teeth and glared at Quinnox as if he were the object of his hatred, his vicious jealousy.  The captain stepped backward in sudden alarm.

“Don’t be afraid!” Lorry cried, savagely.  “I’m not crazy.  It’s your news—­your news!  Does she expect me to stay up here while that state of affairs exists down there?  Let me see:  this is the eighteenth, and day after to-morrow is the twentieth.  There is no time to be lost, Captain Quinnox.  I shall accompany you when you leave St. Valentine’s to-night.”

“Impossible!” exclaimed Quinnox.  “I cannot allow that, sir.  My instructions are to—­”

“Hang your instructions!  All the instructions on earth can’t compel me to sit up here and see this sacrifice made.  I am determined to see her and put a stop to the whole affair.  It is what I feared would come to pass.  She is willing to sacrifice herself or half her kingdom, one or the other, in order that I may escape.  It’s not right, captain, it’s not right, and I’m going to stop it.  How soon can we leave this place?” He was pacing the floor, happy in the decision he had reached, notwithstanding the danger it promised.

“You are mad, sir, to talk like this,” protested the other, despairingly.  “Edelweiss swarms with Axphain soldiers; our own men are on the alert to win the great reward.  You cannot go to the city.  When a safe time comes, you will be taken from this place, into the mountains instead of through the city, and given escort to Dassas, one hundred miles east.  That step will not be taken until the way is, perfectly clear.  I tell you, sir, you cannot hope to escape if you leave the monastery now.  The mountains are full of soldiers every night.”