e; I was forced at the point of a
revolver; I had nothing to say. If I had really been careless you would
have accomplished the feat just the same. For it was easily accomplished
you will admit. 'Tis true I knew you were acting because I expected you
to act. All this preamble puzzles you."

Certainly Maurice's countenance expressed nothing less than perplexity.
He stepped back a few paces.

"You have," continued the Colonel, "perhaps three-quarters of an hour.
You will be able to get out of here. You will have to depend on your
resources to cross the frontier."

"Would you just as soon explain to me--"

"It means that a certain young lady, like myself, believes in your
innocence."

"The countess?" Maurice cried eagerly, remembering the look of the night
before and the tears which were in it.

"I will not mention any names. Suffice it to say that it was due to her
pleading that I consented to play poker--and to let you fall into my
arms. Come, to work," holding out his hands.

First Maurice clasped the hand and wrung it. "Colonel, I do not want you
to get into trouble on my account--"

"Go along with you! If you were really important," in half a banter, "it
would be altogether a different matter. As it is, you are more in the
way than anything else, only Madame does not see it in that light. Come,
at my wrists, and take your handkerchief and tie it over my mouth; make
a complete job of it while you're at it."

"But they'll wonder how I tied you--"

"By the book, the boy is quite willing to sit down and play poker with
me till the escort comes! Don't trouble yourself about me; Madame has
too much need of me to give me more than a slight rating. Hurry and be
off, and remember that Beauvais has promised to push you off the board.
Take the near path for the woods and strike northeast. If you run into
any sentries it will be your own fault."

"And the army?"

"The army? Who the devil has said anything about the army?"

"I heard it go past last night."

"Humph! Keep to the right of the pass. Now, quick, before my conscience
speaks above a whisper."

"I should like to see the countess."

"You will--if you reach Bleiberg by to-morrow night."

Maurice needed no further urging, and soon he had the Colonel securely
bound and silenced. Next he put on the Colonel's hat and coat, and
examined the revolver.

"It was very kind of you to load it, Colonel."

The Colonel blinked his eyes.

"Au revoir!" said Mauri