“I am in great danger. It is absolutely necessary that I escape. I cannot remain till morning. I cannot face that inspection. I should be denounced.”

“Yes,” agreed Stewart; “that’s clear enough.”

“Well, I will escape alone. When the police come for us, they will find only you.”

“And will probably back me against a wall and shoot me out of hand.”

“Oh, no; they will be rough and angry, but they will not dare to harm you. They know that you are an American—they cannot possibly suspect you of being a spy. You can prove the truth of all your statements.”

“Not quite all,” Stewart corrected.

“Of your statements, at least, so far as they concern yourself.”

“Yes—but I will have considerable difficulty explaining my connection with you.”

“Oh, no,” said the girl, in a low voice; “that can be easily explained.”

“How?”