thing in the world. Besides, if we fail, we have
nothing to lose. If we succeed, see what we've done! Don't hesitate, old
man! Come on! Come on! We'll take 'em ourselves, as sure as fate. Have
you no nerve? What kind of an American are you? This chance won't
come in ten lifetimes! Good God, man, are we not equal to those two
scoundrels?"

"Two? There are at least ten of them!"

"You fool! The three guards are disposed of in advance, two of the
Viennese are left with the horses, two are chucked off under the
princess' window, and one stands at the gate. We can slug the man at the
gate, the fellows under the window are harmless, and that leaves but our
two friends and the cook. We have every advantage in the world. Can't
you see?"

"You are right! Come on! I'll risk it with you. We will save the
Princess of Graustark!"

"Don't you see it will be just as easy for us to enter the castle as for
these robbers? The way will be clear, and will be kept clear. Jove, man,
we need not be more than thirty seconds behind them. Is your pistol all
right?"

By this time the two men were speeding along the grassy stretch toward
the road that ran beside the wall. They looked to their pistols, and
placed them carefully in outside coat pockets.

"We must throw away these heavy canes," whispered the painter to his
friend, who was a pace or so ahead.

"Keep it! We'll need one of them to crack that fellow's head at the
gate. 'Gad, it's dark along here!"

"How the devil are we to know where to go?"

"We'll stop when we come to the gate where we climbed up the wall
to-day. That is the only entrance I saw along the west wall, and it is
near the castle. Just as soon as the gang enters that gate we'll crawl
up and get rid of the fellow who stands watch." It was so dark that
they could barely see the roadway, and they found it necessary to cease
talking as they slunk along beside the wall. Occasionally they paused to
listen, fearing that they might draw too close upon the men who had gone
before. At last they came to a big gate and halted.

"Is this the gate?" whispered Anguish.

"Sh! Yes, I'm quite sure. We are undoubtedly near the castle, judging
by the distance we have come. Let us cross the road and lie directly
opposite. Be careful!"

Like panthers they stole across the road and down a short, grassy
embankment. At Anguish's suggestion Lorry wrapped his handkerchief
tightly about the heavy end of his cane, preparing in that way t