“I heard a shot—­a lot of them.  Was any one killed?  Did those fellows escape?”

“Killed!  There have been eight executions besides the one I attended to.  Lord, they don’t wait long here before handing out justice.”

“Tell me all that happened.  Was she hurt?”

“I should say not!  Say, Gren, I have killed a man.  Dannox got my bullet right in the head and he never knew what hit him.  Ghastly, isn’t it?  I feel beastly queer.  It was he who turned on the lights and went at you with a club.  I heard you call, and was in the door just as he hit you.  His finish came inside of a second.  You and he spoiled the handsomest rug I ever saw.”

“Ruined it?”

“Not in her estimation.  I’ll wager she has it framed, blood and all.  The stains will always be there as a reminder of your bravery, and that’s what she says she’s bound to keep.  She was very much excited and alarmed about you until the room filled with men and then she remembered how she was attired.  I never saw anything so pretty as her embarrassment when the Countess and her aunt led her into the next room.  These people are going out, so I’ll tell you what happened after you left me with the cook.  He was a long time falling under the influence, and I had barely reached the top of the stairs when I saw Dannox rush down the hall.  Then you called, and I knew the jig was on in full blast.  The door was open, and I saw him strike you.  I shot him, but she was at your side before I could get to you.  The other fellows who were in the room succeeded in escaping while I was bending over you, but neither of them shot at me.  They were too badly frightened.  I had sense enough left to follow and shoot a couple of times as they tore down the stairs.  One of them stumbled and rolled all the way to the bottom.  He was unconscious and bleeding when I reached his side.  The other fellow flew toward the dining-hall, where he was nabbed by two white uniformed men and throttled.  Other men in white—­they were regular police officers—­pounced upon me, and I was a prisoner.  By George, I was knocked off my feet the next minute to see old Dangloss himself come puffing and blowing into the hall, redder and fiercer than ever.  ‘Now I know what you want in Edelweiss!’ he shrieked, and it took me three minutes to convince him of his error.  Then he and some of the men went up to the Princess’ room, while I quickly led the way to the big gate and directed a half-dozen officers toward the ravine.  By this, time the grounds were alive with guards.  They came up finally with the two fellows who had been stationed beneath the window and who were unable to find the gate.  When I got back to where you were the room was full of terrified men and women, half dressed.  I was still dazed over the sudden appearance of the police, but managed to tell my story in full to Dangloss and Count Halfont—­that’s Uncle Caspar—­and then the chief told me how he and his men happened