stuffed into the panniers, in the larger of which he meant to
find room also for the Princess. Once settled, a sheet was thrown over
her shoulders, and the hay lightly scattered over all. Then she was
ordered to lie down and to keep especially still if she should hear any
one speak to her companion. And so naturally did the little girl take to
secrecy and adventure that after having assured herself of Rollo's
kindness, not a murmur passed her lips.

On the contrary, she promised all careful obedience, and it was no great
while before they set out, making so bold as to pass once more by her
own private kitchen. For Rollo had resolved to take possession of some
of the silver utensils, that he might have somewhat wherewith to satisfy
plunderers if they should chance to be stopped, and the ass's burdens in
danger of being too closely examined.

They found the silver vessels and pans lying where they had been piled
outside the door. Apparently no one had been near them. One of the
gipsies, however, who had been wounded, still lay groaning without,
cursing the cravens who had left him and fled at a couple of pistol
shots. But the other, he who had first been dealt with by Rollo's
bullet out of the cane-brake, gave no sign. He lay still, shot through
the heart, the torture-cord still in his hand.

Without taking the least notice of the wounded man, Rollo coolly loaded
the silver dishes upon his own shoulders, placing one or two of the
largest copper pans upon the donkey in such a manner as to shelter the
Princess from observation should any one turn a lantern upon them on
their way to the Hermitage of San Ildefonso.

They kept wide of the palace itself, however, for though the fire had
slackened, and the besieged only replied when one of their assailants
incautiously showed himself, yet the place was evidently still
completely beset, and the loaded trains of mules and donkeys departing
from the storehouses had released many of the younger and more
adventurous gipsies, who had brought no beast with them on which to
carry off their plunder.

At about the same time, a red glow began to wax and wane uncertainly
above the granaries most distant from Rollo and his charge. A ruddy
volume of smoke slowly disengaged itself from the roofs. Windows winked
red, glowed, and then spouted flame. It was evident that the gipsies had
fired the plundered storehouses.

In their own interests the act was one of the worst policy. For their