e revelations. The fort is to be blown up after the surrender, as
soon as the French garrison are out and our men are in it. The general
has sent two messengers--but they take round-about ways and will never
reach there in time. Your father intends to seize the fort to-morrow. He
must be warned in time, and there's but one way. The news must go
through the mountain pass which the enemy hold; that is the only chance
to reach our friends. But that way--"

"I know it. Our regiment marched through it two weeks ago before the
enemy had taken it," cried Hartmut.

"All the better! You must of course lay aside your uniform."

"I only need exchange my cloak and helmet. If I had stayed here I'd have
been dead in a few hours; now if I ride fast enough I have one chance.
If I only had a good horse."

"That is ready for you, I brought my own Arabian, Sadi, with me. You
know him well, have ridden him often. He'll fly like a bird on a night
like this, he'll need no whip to spur him on."

The conversation was whispered in stormy haste, and the prince handed
him the papers.

"Here is the general's order which you present when you reach our
sentinels, and here are the dispatches. Take a half hour to get some
warmth and strength into your body, then you can start."

"Do you think I want rest or warmth?" cried Hartmut, the old Hartmut
again. "When I break down now it will be from the enemy's bullet. I
thank you Egon for this hour, in which you have at last, at last,
exonerated me from a fearful suspicion!"

"And in which I send you to your death," said the prince gently. "We
must not hide the truth from ourselves--only a miracle can save you."

"A miracle?" Hartmut's glance sought the altar which the flickering
moonlight revealed. He had ceased to pray long years ago, and yet in
this moment a hot, speechless prayer went up to Heaven for strength to
accomplish this miracle. "If I can only save my father then I am
content!"

In the next second he turned, and Egon, who had put new life into him
and given him back his courage, said gently:

"And now let us say good-bye! God bless you, Hartmut!"

The two friends clung to one another in a last embrace. All that had
come between them was lost sight of forever, and the old, warm love was
mightier than ever in this last hour, for they both felt that it was a
farewell for all time.

Scarcely fifteen minutes later a rider dashed out of the camp. The
slender Arab's hoofs hardly touched