“Remember, there is to be no failure.  This may mean death to you; certainly a long prison term if you are apprehended.  I know it is a daring deed, but it is just of the kind that succeeds.  Who would dream that mortal man could find the courage to steal a princess of the realm from her bed and spirit her away from under the very noses of her vaunted guardsmen?  It is the bold, the impossible plan that wins.”

“We cannot fail if your men on the inside do their work well,” said Geddos, repeating what Ostrom had said.  “All depends on their faithfulness.”

“They will not be found wanting.  Your cut-throats must be sent on to Caias with the empty carriage after you have reached Ganlook in safety.  You will need them no more.  Ostrom will pay them, and they are to leave the country as quickly as possible.  At Caias they will be able to join a pack-train that will carry them to the Great Northern Railroad.  From there they will have no trouble in reaching Vienna.  You will explain to them, Geddos.  All we need them for, as you know, is to prove by their mere presence in case of capture that the attempt was no more than a case of burglary conceived by a band of Viennese robbers.  There will be no danger of capture if you once get her outside the walls.  You can be half way to Ganlook before she is missed from the castle.  Nor can she be found at Ganlook if you follow the instructions I gave last night.  It is now nearly one o’clock, and in half an hour the night will be as dark as Erebus.  Go, men; you have no more time to lose, for this must be accomplished slowly, carefully, deliberately.  There must be no haste until you are ready for the race to Ganlook.  Go, but for God’s sake, do not harm her!  And do not fail!”

“Failure means more to us than to you, Michael,” half whispered the hoarse Ostrom.

“Failure means everything to me!  I must have her!”

Already the two hirelings were moving off toward the road that ran west of the castle grounds.  Michael watched them for a moment and then started swiftly in the direction of the city.  The watchers had not been able to distinguish the faces of the conspirators, but they could never forget the calm, cold voice of Michael, with its quaint, jerky English.

“What shall we do?” whispered Anguish when the men were out of hearing.

“God knows!” answered Lorry.  “This is the most damnable thing I ever heard of.  Are we dreaming?  Did we really see and hear those men?” He had risen to his feet, his companion sitting weakly before him.

“There’s no question about it!  It’s a case of abduction, and we have it in our power to spoil the whole job.  By Gad, but this is luck, Gren!” Anguish was quivering with excitement as he rose to his feet.  “Shall we notify old Dangloss or alarm the steward?  There’s no time to be lost if we want to trap these fellows.  The chief devil is bound to escape, for we can’t get him and the others, too, and they won’t peach on him.  Come, we must be lively!  What are you standing there for?  Damn it, the trap must be set!”