their approach. It was not until afterward that they
understood the whole story, for just then they were in too great a hurry
to ask questions. A pull from Ashby's brandy-flask partly restored
Russell's strength, but more was accomplished by his joy at this
unexpected deliverance. Terror also came to his aid and lent him strength,
and he was now more anxious than any of them to fly from this awful
prison-house.

Dolores now led the way as before, and they all followed down long steps
and crooked passage-ways until at last they reached the outlet. Here they
found themselves in the chasm. A hasty consultation ended in the
decision not to go to the tower for fear lest Carlists might be there.
They concluded, therefore, to go along the chasm for some distance, and
then ascend to the open country above, and after this to go forward as far
as possible that same night.

They traversed the chasm in this way, and at length reached the top, where
they found themselves to be about a mile away from the castle. Here the
ground sloped gently, descending into a broad valley, to which they
decided to go. In this direction they therefore proceeded as carefully as
possible, and had gone about two miles in safety when suddenly they became
aware of a great noise, like the quick trot of numerous horses. It was
advancing so rapidly that they had no time to take measures for escape,
and before they could consult together a troop of horsemen came over a
rising ground in front and galloped straight toward them.

A wild look all around showed them the hopelessness of their situation.
The country was open. There was not a house or a fence or a tree or a bush
that might afford a hiding-place. Flight was useless. They could do
nothing now but trust to the faint hope that they might be deemed unworthy
of attention. But soon this hope proved vain. They were seen--they were
surrounded--they were again prisoners.

They soon learned that this new band consisted of Carlists; that they were
on the way to the castle to join the King, who had gone on before.

The King!

[Illustration: "The Jovial Monarch Caught Mrs. Russell's Hand In His, And
Proceeded To Dance."]

Katie knew who that was. Harry was puzzled, as he always had been, about
"His Majesty." Dolores also was mystified, since she had never believed
that "His Majesty" was what he pretended to be. Ashby, also, had not
believed it, and now was more puzzled than any of them. Brooke and Talb