"And now for the lane," said Ian. "We'll find that easier."
They had to make a big detour to reach it, for it was madness to go near the Prussians, as the Countess pointed out. Even as it was they heard the groans as some wounded men very near at hand. Once, Ian stumbled over a softish stiff body, in the darkness. He examined it as well as he could, fearing it might be one of his own household. But the dead man's helmet told its tale. They left it lying there, walking as silently as they could, Ian leading the way, because he knew every inch of the ground. Every now and again some noise from the Prussian camp made them stand still, in terror that they were discovered. But they were all false alarms. Many of von Senborn's men were in their last long sleep, and the rest so tired that it would have taken more noise than these poor waifs made on the grass to awake them. Their horror was great when they finally arrived at the top of the lane where Ian had buried the remainder of the emeralds and his mother's rings. It was blocked with the wreckage of his once prosperous stud farm.
"We're ruined," whispered the Countess. "None of us can get through that."
"I'll get over," said Ostap, when the situation was explained to him. "But you must tell me where the treasure lies."
"I'll come with you," said Vanda.
"Nonsense!" This from Ian. "I'll go."
She put her hand on his arm.
"You're too heavy. You'll bring down a lot of the ruins, wake the sentries and we shall be done."
"It's not safe," he said, squeezing her hand.
"It is," she whispered. "I can climb like a cat. Do let me."