Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/137

Rh not I may yet—— But never mind. Go at once."

"But what will you tell him?"

"That you never came that you saw through the trick."

I took her hand and kissed it.

"Madame," said I, "you have served the king well to-night. Where is he in the castle?"

She sank her voice to a fearful whisper. I listened eagerly.

"Across the drawbridge you come to a heavy door; behind that lies—— Hark! What's that?" There were steps outside.

"They're coming! They're too soon! Heavens! they're too soon!" and she turned pale as death.

"They seem to me," said I, "to be in the nick of time."

"Close your lantern. See, there's a chink in the door. Can you see them?"

I put my eye to the chink. On the lowest step I saw three dim figures. I cocked my revolver. Antoinette hastily laid her hand on mine.