"You need not!" Heinrich broke in on his words impulsively. "You need not. Go on your knees and thank God! Say what I heard Mistress Margaret say, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul!' Say it, for she is not there, in that accursed house. She was, but she is not now. She is safe. I got her away from the tormentors. Listen to me."
Heinrich dropped his voice to a whisper, and had put his arm about Herman's neck, to speak in his ear.
"I have her in safe keeping, hidden where none of those Familiars can find her," he said exultingly.
"Do you mean it?" whispered Herman, trembling at what he heard. "Is she not in that house yonder?"
"No. She was there. She was to be taken to the torture chamber, but I took her away, and I have her now in safe keeping, thank God! Listen again. She mourned, in spite of her gladness at being free, because she had lost a bracelet which you gave her on her betrothal day. I have come to find it. I am going to the cell from whence I brought her to look for it, and when I have found it I will take you to her."
Herman was elate with gladness, and his lips were quietly muttering his grateful thanks for God's deliverance of his darling.
"There is no need to seek for it, Heinrich. I have found the bracelet. It was that which made me confident that she had been taken to the Holy House. See, it is here!"
Holding back one of the drooping branches, Herman held it where the gold gleamed in the moonlight, and the jewels in it glanced in their many-coloured splendour.
"That is it, Heinrich. Will you take it and me to her?"
"I will!" the simple one exclaimed. "Let me carry it. She will then know that I redeemed my promise." He took the bracelet from Herman's hand, and kissed it.