would be down by the landing-place when they tried to set free
the boat.

In this belief when they were nearly there he stopped short, laid his
hand upon the King's shoulder to press him aside, and whispered to Saint
Simon to join him in the front.

"There may be watchers there," he said. "Be well on the alert."

The next minute as they moved forward the head of the stone steps was
reached, lying in the darkness of the clouded night nearly hidden by a
great overhanging willow, whose pensile twigs brushed the roof of the
waterside summer-house supported upon slimy water-worn piles, to one of
which the boat-chain was attached, the rusty iron creaking faintly
against the ring-bolt as the skiff swung softly to and fro, influenced
by the swift stream.

"Hah!" sighed Leoni to himself. "Fate is with us yet. Who says our
mission is unrighteous?" And a feeling of exultation rose within his
breast, only to be crushed-down directly after by what seemed to be a
heavy weight of misery, beyond which he seemed to see the reproachful
eyes of the King's esquire, sacrificed that he might succeed.

"Into it and unloose the chain, boy," whispered Leoni, eager by action
to change the current of his thoughts.

Saint Simon quickly sheathed sword and dagger as he stood on the lowest
step and reached out to draw in the boat, into which he stepped, making
the chain rattle as he drew it through the ring, and his leaden utter an
impatient:

"Hist!"

The next minute the freed boat was grinding against the step, and Leoni
steadied it by planting a foot upon its side.

"Now, boy," he whispered, "seat yourself, and be ready with the oars--
good! Now rest one on the step here and keep the boat steady.--Quick,
sir! Step in, and sit down at once."

The King obeyed without a word, and no sooner was he seated than Leoni
followed, and took his own place between Francis and Saint Simon, whom
he relieved of one of the oars.

"Push off!" whispered Saint Simon, who held the oar that rested on the
steps.

"One moment's thought," whispered back Leoni, speaking over his left
shoulder, as he glared around for danger, his ears twitching the while
like those of some wild animal which felt that there was peril in the
air.

"Now," he said, in a whisper just loud enough for the young man to hear,
"if we go upward it is farther into the country, but harder work, for we
are against the stream. If we go downward it is towards the capital,
and the