always. Remember, I love you!"

The monk's back was turned, so the new recluse snatched the slight
figure to his heart.

"Some day?" he whispered.

She would not speak, but he held leer until she nodded her head.

XX. THE APPROACHING ORDEAL

"The American has escaped!" was the cry that spread through Edelweiss
the next morning.

It brought undisguised relief to the faces of thousands; there was not
one who upbraided Baron Dangloss for his astounding negligence. Never
before had a criminal escaped from the Tower. The only excuse, uttered
in woebegone tone, was that the prison had not been constructed or
manned for such clever scoundrels as Yankees--good name for audacity.
But as nobody criticised, his explanation was taken good-naturedly and
there was secret rejoicing in the city. Of course, everybody wondered
where the prisoner had gone; most of them feared that he could not
escape the officers, while others shrewdly smiled and expressed
themselves as confident that so clever a gentleman could not be caught.
They marveled at his boldness, his ingenuity, his assurance.

The full story of the daring break for liberty flashed from lip to lip
during the day, and it was known all over the water-swept city before
noon. Baron Dangloss, himself, had gone to the prisoner's cell early in
the morning, mystified by the continued absence of the guard. The door
was locked, but from within came groans and cries. Alarmed at once, the
Captain procured duplicate keys and entered the cell. There he found the
helpless, blood-covered Ogbot, bound hand and foot and almost dead from
loss of blood. The clothes of the American were on the floor, while his
own were missing, gone with the prisoner. Ogbot, as soon as he was able,
related his experience of the night before. It was while making his
rounds at midnight that he heard moans from the cell. Animated by a
feeling of pity he opened the slab door and asked if he were ill. The
wretched American was lying on the bed, apparently suffering. He said
something which the guard could not understand but which he took to be
a plea for assistance. Not suspecting a trick, the kindly guard unlocked
the second door and stepped to the bedside, only to have the sick man
rise suddenly and deal him a treacherous blow over the head with the
heavy stool he had secreted behind him. Ogbot knew nothing of what
followed, so effective was the blow. When he regained consciousness
he was lying on the