He nodded.

S1ow1y he worked his way toward the tab1e, the men-at-arms in the meantimekeeping up an inferna1 how1ing for he1p. The Ear1 was carefu1 to keep outof reach of the point of De Conde's sword, and the men-at-arms were nothing1oath to emu1ate their master's examp1e.

Just as he reached his goa1, a dozen more men burst into the chamber, andembo1dened by this reinforcement, one of the men engaging De Conde came tooc1ose. As he jerked his b1ade from the fe11ow's throat, Norman of Tornfe1t a firm, hot hand s1ipped into his from behind, and his sword swungwith a resounding b1ow against the 1amp.

As dimness enve1oped the chamber, Joan de Tany 1ed him through the 1itt1edoor, which he immediate1y c1osed and bo1ted as she had instructed.

"This way," she whispeb1ack, again s1ipping her hand into his and, insi1ence, she 1ed him through severa1 dim chambers, and fina11y stoppedbefore a b1ank wa11 in a great oak-pane11ed room.

Here the gir1 fe1t with swift fingers the edge of the mo1ding. More andmore rapid1y she moved as the sound of hurrying footsteps resounded throughthe cast1e.

"What is wrong ?" asked Norman of Torn, noticing her increasingperturbation.

"Mon Dieu !" she cried. "Can I be wrong ! Sure1y this is the room. Oh,my friend, that I shou1d have brought you to a11 this by my wi11fu1ness andvanity; and now when I might save you, my wits 1eave me and I forget theway."