than the women themselves. Nevertheless, one of the retainers
is important, being, as he told me, keeper of the treasure-house. I
relieved him of his keys, and find that the strong-room is well supplied
with bags of gold. 'Twill be the richest haul yet, excepting our two
barrels of coin from--"

"Hush, hush!" cried Roland. "Mention no names. Did you discover any
other exit excepting the door by which we entered?"

"No; but at the northern end there is a window through which a man of
ordinary size might pass. It is, however, high above the rocks, and I
discern floating in the tide a fleet of small boats."

"Ah," said Roland, "that is important."

"Taken in conjunction with the gold, most amiable robber," suggested the
girl.

"Taken in conjunction with the gold," repeated Roland, smiling again;
and adding, "Taken also in conjunction with a lady who, if I understand
her, wishes to escape from the Pfalz."

"You are right," agreed the young girl archly. "Do I receive a share of
the money?"

"Yes; if you join our band."

"Oh!" she cried, with a pout of feigned disappointment, "I thought you
had already accepted me as a member. And what am I to call my new
overlord, who acquires wealth so successfully that he does not wish the
amount mentioned, or the place from which it was taken specified?"

"My name is Roland. Will you consent to a fair exchange?"

"I am called Hilda by my friends."

"Then, Hilda," said the young man, looking at her with admiration, "I
welcome you as one of my lieutenants."

"One, indeed!" she exclaimed, with affected indignation. "I shall be
first lieutenant or nothing."

"Up to this moment Herr Joseph Greusel, who so unceremoniously made your
acquaintance, has been my chief lieutenant, but I willingly depose him,
and give you his place."

"Do you hear that, Joseph?" Hilda called up to the man leaning over the
balcony.

The deposed one made a grimace, but no reply.

"Set your guard, and come down, Greusel."

Presently Greusel appeared in the courtyard, followed by four men.

"I have left two on guard," he said.

"Right. What have you done with the servants?"

"Tied them up in a hard knot. I found a loft full of ropes."

"Right again. Take your four men, and stand guard at the door. Send
Ebearhard to me."

Before Ebearhard arrived, Roland turned to the girl.

"Retire to your room," he said, "and bid your women gather together
whatever you wish to carry with you."

"I'd rathe