to a small town seven
miles south of the Red Chateau, which accounts for the ease with which
Madame's troops had reached the isolated pass. It was now likely that
Madame would arrive before Bleiberg ere her enemies dreamed of the
stroke. Maurice could see how well the traitorous administration had
played into Madame's hands. Here was the one weak spot, and they had
allowed it to remain thus weak.

"The kingdom is lost," thought Maurice. "His Highness and I may as well
return to the chateau, for all the good our escape will do us. Hang them
all!"

He began to forage, and discovered a bottle full of peach brandy. He
drank half the contents, reserving the remainder for the prince. As he
lowered the bottle there came a sound which caused him almost to lose
hold of the vigorous tonic. The sound he heard was the shrill whinney
of a horse. He pocketed the bottle and dashed out to the stables. To his
joy several horses stamped restlessly in the stalls. The attacking party
had without doubt come on foot. He led out two, saddled and bridled them
and returned to the prince, who had fallen asleep. Maurice roused him.

"To Bleiberg, your Highness," he cried, at the same time offering the
bottle, which the prince did not hesitate to empty.

"Ha!" staggering to his feet. "Where are the men?"

Maurice explained the cause of their absence. The prince swore, and
climbed with difficulty into the saddle.

"Thank God," he said, as they galloped away, "we shall be there first."

"Adieu, Madame!" Maurice cried, airily. He was free.

"To our next meeting, duchess!" The prince, too, was free, but he
thirsted for a full revenge.

They had been on the way but a short time when Maurice lifted his arm.

"Look!"

The prince raised his head. It was dawn, yellow and cold and pure.

They fell into silence; sometimes Maurice caught himself counting the
beat of the hoofs and the variation of sounds, as when they struck
sand or slate, or crossed small wooden bridges. Here and there he saw
peasants going into the fields to begin the long, long day of toil. The
saddle on which he sat had been the property of a short man, for the
stirrups were too high, and the prince's were too low. But neither
desired to waste time to adjust them. And so they rode with dangling
legs and bodies sunken in the saddles; mute, as if by agreement.

They had gone perhaps ten miles when they perceived a horse flying
toward them, half a mile away. The rider was not