“How are we going to get her out? I have had very little experience, personally, in storming castles.”
“We shall have to devise some plan when we get there,” replied the Knight. “The castle, unhappily, is upon an island in the middle of the lake.”
“And I can’t swim,” said the Professor.
“Perhaps the King will give us help. It is close to the place where he holds his court.”
The Professor began to think that the case looked exceedingly unpromising. He lapsed into silence, thinking over the probable results of the failure of his mission; and as the Knight appeared to be absorbed in his own reflections, the pair rode forward without engaging in further conversation.
Professor Baffin did not fail to notice the extreme loveliness of the country through which they were passing. It presented all the characteristics of a perfect English landscape; but he observed that it was not fully cultivated, and that the agricultural methods employed were of a very primitive kind.
After an hour’s ride, the two horsemen entered a wood. Hardly had they done so before they heard, near to them, the voice of a woman crying loudly for help. Sir Bleoberis at once spurred his horse forward, and the Professor followed close behind him.
Presently they perceived a Knight in armor endeavoring to hold upon the horse in front of him a young woman of handsome appearance, who screamed loudly as she attempted to release herself from his grasp.
“Drop her!” exclaimed the Professor in an excited manner, and drawing his revolver, “put her down; let her go at once!”
The Knight turned, and seeing the intruders he released the maiden, and levelling his lance, made straight for Sir Bleoberis at full gallop.