ned the face of his victim. Then he crossed
to us, and on my arm a hand was trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Courage," I whispered, and I groped for Mademoiselle on the other
side.

"It was the other man," said Legrand calmly. "I don't know what he did
there, but we've got a bull's-eye, which is so much to the good. Come,
let's get on."

We passed down the corridor and through the bare doorway to the deck.
Here the breath of the night blew softly on our faces. Legrand moved
along the bulwarks till he reached the davits from which the boat
depended. Standing into the opaque blackness, he cut at the ropes
above. Presently I heard a splash. I did not offer to assist, for he
had the knife and the knowledge; the two women were my charge. It must
have been twenty minutes that we waited there silently, deep in the
security of the darkness.

"She's down," said Legrand in my ear. "It's not a long drop, but it's a
job for women. Do you think you can manage it?"

"I'm going to try," I said, and I whispered to the Princess, "Will you
trust yourself to me? I must lower you into the boat?"

"Yes--yes," she answered in a low voice.

"Legrand," said I, "you go first. I'll lower them, and then I'll
follow."

He made no answer, but slipped over the railing, and presently his
voice sounded softly from below: "Now."

I took the Princess's hand from my arm. "You must go," said I; "Legrand
is awaiting you. If I put you over, can you hang by the rope and lower
yourself? He will catch you."

"Yes," she said in the same voice.

I lifted her gently to the top of the bulwarks and put the rope in her
hands, and I felt her go down slowly. I had faith in her, yet I waited
anxiously until I heard the voice below: "Safe."

I turned to where I had left Mademoiselle, but my hands moving in the
darkness encountered nothing. She was gone.

What had become of her? I moved a little way, and almost fell on my
face over some obstacle, which was soft and moved. I stooped, and felt
there on the deck with a sudden misgiving. It was Mademoiselle
Trebizond, who had gone off in a swoon! What was to be done? I racked
my brains, and could not see any means by which she could be lowered in
that unconscious state to the boat. I called out to Legrand softly,
informing him of the situation, and I heard an oath float on the air.
Suddenly a thought came to me and I leaned over. "Wait," I said, "I
have an idea. I will be back shortly."

I had the bull