ard, and that of the room in which the burgomaster and the
Prophet were confined.

"My children, it is now time to prove that you have a soldier's blood
in your veins," said Dagobert, as he entered abruptly the chamber of the
young girls, who were terrified at the racket they had heard for some
minutes.

"Good heaven, Dagobert! what has happened?" cried Blanche.

"What do you wish us to do?" added Rose.

Without answering, the soldier ran to the bed, tore off the sheets, tied
them strongly together, made a knot at one end, passed it over the top
of the left half of the casement, and so shut it in. Thus made fast by
the size of the knot, which could not slip through, the sheets, floating
on the outside, touched the ground. The second half of the window was
left open, to afford a passage to the fugitives.

The veteran next took his knapsack, the children's portmanteau, and the
reindeer pelisse, and threw them all out of the window, making a sign to
Spoil-sport to follow, to watch over them. The dog did not hesitate, but
disappeared at a single bound. Rose and Blanche looked at Dagobert in
amazement, without uttering a word.

"Now, children," said he to them, "the doors of the inn are shut, and it
is by this way," pointing to the window, "that we must pass--if we
would not be arrested, put in prison--you in one place, and I in the
other--and have our journey altogether knocked on the head."

"Arrested! put in prison!" cried Rose.

"Separated from you!" exclaimed Blanche.

"Yes, my poor children!--They have killed Jovial--we must make our
escape on foot, and try to reach Leipsic--when you are tired, I will
carry you, and, though I have to beg my way, we will go through with it.
But a quarter of an hour later, and all will be lost. Come, children,
have trust in me--show that the daughters of General Simon are no
cowards--and there is yet hope."

By a sympathetic movement, the sisters joined hands, as though they
would meet the danger united. Their sweet faces, pale from the effect of
so many painful emotions, were now expressive of simple resolve, founded
on the blind faith they reposed in the devotion of the soldier.

"Be satisfied, Dagobert! we'll not be frightened," said Rose, in a firm
voice.

"We will do what must be done," added Blanche, in a no less resolute
tone.

"I was sure of it," cried Dagobert; "good blood is ever thicker than
water. Come! you are light as feathers, the sheet is strong, it is
ha