rtyard, he could see the troops coming out from their quarters and
moving about, then the gates opened, and, tying a bandage over his
cheek, he went down and crossed the yard.

"You are out early," the sergeant of the guard remarked.

He nodded. "I am nigh mad with pain," he said, pointing to his cheek,
"and I am going to get some salve from an apothecary."

"You seem to be bad indeed," the sergeant said commiseratingly, "'tis a
terrible inflammation."

Paolo went down to the spot where he had hidden the bundles in the
hollow of a tree. It was an unfrequented place, and slipping his
disguise over his clothes, after putting the pistols in his belt, he
took the second bundle and returned to a street through which waggons
leaving the castle must pass. A few minutes later he saw them coming
along. He had already stuffed his cheek full of tow, and several
people, struck with the raw and swollen appearance of his face, had
compassionately asked him what was the matter. He had simply shaken his
head, opened his lips, and pointed to his clenched teeth, signifying
that he could not speak. He fell in with the waggons as they came along
and passed through the gate without question. When a short distance away
from the town he made signs to the driver of the last waggon, that if
he would give him a lift in the cart he would pay for some drink. The
carter nodded and told him to climb up. After they had gone four miles
from the town, they came to a wayside inn.

"Now is the time, master, they are all going in to get some drink. There
is no one about."

The waggons all stopped there, for there had been no opportunity for
the drivers to obtain refreshments as they passed through the town. All
therefore sauntered into the inn, their salutations to the host showing
that they were accustomed to stop there. Paolo followed them i n, and
putting down the money for a large jug of beer, handed it to the
carter, and, shaking him by the hand, made a motion that he was going no
farther. Then he went back to the end waggon. Hector had already pushed
out the bags in front of him and had with great difficulty crawled out.

"It is all right, master, we have a good ten minutes; there is no one
about, but you had better keep below the waggon rails until you have got
your disguise on."

A couple of minutes sufficed for this, then Hector leapt to the ground,
while Paolo replaced the sacks in their position; and then together they
hurried across s