ot rebuke me to-night--wait until to-morrow--if to-morrow ever
comes!"

He paused, and still she was silent--except for the soft music of her
breathing--that regal bosom so close to his own upturned face!

"And now your humble vassal goes forth in his liege-lady's name and
cause, and, while all Seguro waits, Ghost and Ghost Breaker shall stalk
those haunted, melancholy halls!"

Again they looked into each other's eyes.

"Your Highness, within the hour I shall hang the signal of victory
within the window of the castle!"

He carried her hand to his lips, even as he had done on the memorable
night so far across the waters. But this time the fingers were burning,
and the slim flower of a hand was not drawn away!

"God be with you!" she answered softly, and crossed herself. The
Kentuckian watched her silently, a thousand mad thoughts whirling
behind the calm and resolute brow. She slowly ascended the stairs and
returned to her room.

He murmured tenderly under his breath:

"Highness ... Highness ... now, I understand how titles fit!"

A new noise came to his ears, and he listened without a tremor or
movement of his body.

It was the click of a revolver cock!

The Kentuckian knew this sound too well to be deceived. Slowly he
turned about, toward the large table on which stood the solitary oil
lamp of the room.

He began to unfold his overcoat, which had been hanging over his left
arm. Then he started whistling the first rippling bars of that good old
Southern battle-song "Dixie."

Slowly he walked toward the lamp, apparently examining his overcoat.

The man drew out from the shelter of the arch, and the revolver was
pointed straight at his back.

Suddenly the overcoat flew from the American's hands, covering and
extinguishing the glass lamp, which fell with a crash in the darkness.

There was a portentous pause--it seemed hours; its length was the bare
fraction of a second.

Two shots rang out, and scurrying feet were the only indication of life
within the room. Another shot sent its tongue of blood-thirsty flame
into the black void. There was a groan of anguish.

Then footsteps advanced to the door.

The cheery tune of "Dixie" was continued in the moonlight!

XVI

AS IN DAYS OF OLD

"Rusty! You lazy coon! Get on that horse of yours and hike along to the
castle. See--the moon is helping us!"

"Yassir. I was jest finishin' another hunk of po'k-chops dat I forgot
an' put in my pocket. Won'