it upon a plan as I was when
I entered. By the way, colonel, although it is clear that I cannot be
allowed to go outside the castle gate, I should be glad if my lackey
could be given leave to do so. He is not a soldier, neither is he a
Frenchman, and can scarce be counted as a prisoner of war. He is a
willing and cheerful fellow, and would enjoy a run in the city much more
than I should. Besides, occasionally I may want a book or some other
little thing which I cannot get here."

"Such as a file, a rope, or a disguise, Colonel Campbell," the
commandant laughed.

"I am not thinking of that at present," Hector said smiling. "Besides,
you can give orders that he can always be strictly searched when he
comes in."

The colonel shook his head. "I will tell you what I will do," he said;
"I will let him have a pass to go in and out at will, if you will give
me a promise, on your honour as a soldier, that he shall not bring in
anything that can be used by you for facilitating your escape. I would
much rather trust to your word than to any search the soldiers might
make as your man comes in."

"Thank you, colonel," Hector said cheerfully, though at heart he felt
considerably disappointed. "I give you my word of honour that he shall
bring in nothing that may aid me in making my escape, and I am much
obliged to you for letting him have the run of the town."

The colonel at once wrote a pass authorizing Paolo Monti, lackey to
Colonel Campbell, to enter and leave the castle at all times when the
gates were open.

Paolo laughed when Hector told him the conditions on which the pass was
granted.

"The commandant is a shrewd fellow, master, but he is not quite shrewd
enough; he forgot that though I may bring in nothing myself I may be
able to arrange with someone else to bring something in."

"That flashed through my mind at once, Paolo; but at present neither
file, rope, nor disguise would be of any use. However, they may be so
later. The first thing for you to do when you get this pass will be to
make yourself master of the plan of the town and the fortifications,
and see if there is any place where you think an escape is possible. But
even when you find one, and you think that it might be managed, you must
afterwards find a place where I can be hidden for a time, at any rate
for a few hours. You see, were I to go out in disguise I must do so in
broad daylight, for my supper is served almost directly after the gates
are clos