There was a moment’s calm without and in the silence the room door unlocked and Gatrina came out.
Not recognising me for an instant in the surprise at seeing my officer’s uniform, and Karasch by me dressed also as a soldier, she started back as if fearing treachery; but Chris rushed up to her and disarmed her fear.
“Would God you had come out before,” I cried.
Before she could reply we heard the sound of a scuffle and two of the men came running back.
“We are too late. The soldiers are already in the house below,” cried one, breathlessly. “We are as good as dead men.”
Even Karasch changed colour at the news.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHRIS TO THE RESCUE.
It was the delay which had been fatal to the plan. The minutes during which we had had to wait before Gatrina could be made to understand who we were and what our object was had just turned the balance against us.
“What dreadful thing has happened?” she asked.
“I cannot spare a moment to explain. If you will play the part of being my prisoner there is yet a chance of getting away.”