e outline of a human figure bending over a long object
on the ground. He could smell chloroform strongly, and grasped the
situation. The Viennese was administering the drug, his companions
having left that duty for him to perform. No doubt the treacherous
guardsman was lying calmly on his back, bound and gagged, welcoming
unconsciousness with a smile of security.

As soon as Lorry gained his bearings fully he prepared to fell the
wretch who was to stand watch. Anguish heard his friend's figure
suddenly shoot to an erect position. A whirring sound as of disturbed
air and then a dull thud. Something rolled over on the ground, and all
was still. He was at Lorry's side in an instant.

"I hope I haven't killed him," whispered, Lorry. "Quick! Here is his
bottle of ether. Hold it beneath his nose. I am going to pile the body
of this guard crosswise on top of him. He will not be able to arise if
he should recover consciousness."

All this was done in a moment's time, and the two trackers were headed
for the entrance.

The gate was ajar two or three feet. With turbulent hearts, they stole
through.

"Keep along the wall," whispered Lorry, "and trust to luck. The castle
is to the left."

Without hesitation they crept over the noiseless grass, close beside
the wall. Directly they heard sounds near at hand. The abductors were
binding and chloroforming the guard at the arbor. After waiting for some
moments they heard the party glide away in the darkness, and followed.
The body of the guard was lying just outside the mouth of the arbor,
and the odor of chloroform was almost overpowering. Once inside the long
arbor, the Americans moved slowly and with greater caution. There was a
dim light in a basement window ahead. Toward the front of the castle and
in the second story a faint glow came from another window. They guessed
it to be from the Princess' room or from that of the countess.

At last they saw four figures steal past the dim basement light. One
of them halted near the window, and three crept away in the darkness.
Presently one of them returned, and all activity was at an end for the
time being. How near it was to two o'clock the watchers could not tell.
They only knew that they were within twenty-five feet of Geddos and
Ostrom, and that they would not have long to wait.

Soon a bright little blaze of light crossed the basement opening. Then
it returned, crossing a second time, and a third. All was still again.
The sof