Frank lifted his eyebrows.
“Yes?”
“It is true.”
“Well, you will earn my everlasting gratitude if you do; but I do not see why you should.”
“Ah! Till I saw you fight them all in Bornier’s—till I saw you knock them right and left with your fists—till I saw you rise to your feet with them all upon you—till then I had thought I hated you as a spy. But you were so like a strong young lion—so like a gladiator battling for his life! All in a moment it came to me that I did not want to see you killed. My heart nearly burst in my bosom. I pressed on it with my hands to hold it there, and I watched you when you fought. You were so brave—so noble! Never had I seen one like you! I prayed for you!”
“Well, by Jove!” gasped Frank. “That was a sudden conversion! Only I wish it had taken place before that.”
She leaned over him, having placed the lamp on the ground. The light glinted on her eyes, which shone through the holes in the mask. Her panting breath fluttered the lower edge of the sable covering of her face. The boy saw her chin was well-formed, her neck was round and white.
“Perhaps it is not too late!” she went on. “Look at me! I have this knife—I can set you free!”
“Do so, and I will never forget the favor. You will not be sorry if you aid me to escape from this place. I promise you that.”
“Wait! I have more to say. I am not——”