s, and
where he can be concealed after his escape. Secondly, a few reliable and
confiding friends, who will unite with us and aid us. Thirdly, we must
have gold--we must bribe the guard, we must buy horses, we must buy
friends in the fortress, and lastly, we must buy French clothing.
Besides this, I must have permission to go for a few days to Magdeburg,
and there on the spot I can better make the final preparations. A
fair pretext shall not fail me for this; Captain Kimsky is my near
relative--he will be taken suddenly ill, and as a dying request he will
beg to see me; one of his comrades will bring me notice of this, and I
will turn imploringly to your highness."

"I will obtain you a passport," said Amelia, decisively.

"While in Magdeburg, the flight will be arranged."

"And you believe you will succeed?" said the princess, with a bright
smile, which illuminated her poor deformed visage with a golden ray of
hope.

"I do not only believe it, I know it; that is, if your royal highness
will assist us."

The princess made no reply; she stepped to her desk and took from it
several rolls of gold, then seated herself and wrote with a swift hand:
"You must trust the bearer fully, he is my friend; assist him in all
that he undertakes." She folded the paper and sealed it.

Ranuzi followed every movement with flashing eyes and loudly beating
heart. As she took the pen to write the address a ray of wild triumph
lighted his dark face, and a proud smile played about his mouth. As
Amelia turned, all this disappeared, and he was dignified and grave as
before.

"Take this, sir," said she; "you see that I place in your power a
faithful and beloved friend, he is lost if you are false. As soon as
you reach Magdeburg go to him, and he will make other friends and allies
known to you."

"Can I make use of this address, and write under it to my friend
Kimsky?" said Ranuzi. "Yes, without danger. To-day I will find means
to inform him that he may expect this letter. Here is gold, two hundred
ducats, all that I have at present. When this is exhausted, turn again
to me and I will again supply you."

Ranuzi took the gold and said, smilingly, "This is the magic means by
which we will break his chains."

Amelia took a costly diamond pin, which lay upon the table, and gave it
to Ranuzi. She pointed to the paper marked with blood, which she still
held in her hand.

"This is a most precious jewel which you have given me--let us
excha