ptain, who gave some order; but
what it was Denis could not grasp, and he literally groaned again.

"They do not come! They do not come!" he said. "It is all useless.
They must have failed."

He had hardly spoken the words when he fancied he heard steps; but all
was still, and then he started violently and clapped his hand to his
sword, for some one tried to open the saddle-room door, then shook it,
and the words of whoever it was came plainly to the lad's cars:

"I can't, Sir Robert. He has shut us in."

"What!" came hoarsely; and at the same moment Denis's heart leaped, for
there was no mistake this time. Footsteps were rapidly approaching,
whether friends' or foes' it was impossible to tell, and taking a step
outside the door with his bridle over his arm, his horse followed him,
setting in motion the other three, which, well-trained as they were,
ranged up alongside upon the cobble stones before the double doors.

There was no doubt now, for three figures, plainly seen by the light
which shone out of the saddle-room window, came breathlessly up, and the
first to speak cried in familiar tones:

"My horse! Is it ready? Quick!"

"Yes, Sire," whispered Denis, and Francis uttered a quick low "Hah!" as
he gathered up the reins and prepared to mount, his two companions
following his example, just as the lit-up window was dashed out by some
heavy blow, the glass coming tinkling down upon the stones outside, and
a hoarse voice that Denis knew only too well roared out:

"Guard, here! Guard! Help! In the King's name! Guard!"

As the last words came hoarsely forth on to the night air, _clang,
clang, clang_, burst out the tocsin of the alarm bell, silencing the
music in the ballroom and sending an electric thrill through every
listener within the precincts of the castle; but ere the great bell had
sent forth a score of vibrating notes which came quivering through the
darkness and echoing from every wall, the clattering of hoofs began in
obedience to the whispered commands of his Majesty of France:

"Draw, draw, and all together to the gates. Then lead, Leoni, and ride
hard--straight away, man, for the south."

The horses had not made a dozen strides before their sharp hoof
clatterings upon the paved court gave place to the dull _thud, thud_,
returned from gravel, while before a hundred yards had been passed over,
a couple of lanterns began to dance here and there right before them,
their dull yellow rays be