"What is the matter, your excellency?" asked the servant through the keyhole, not forgetting his manners.
"Oh, I cannot turn the key! What shall I do?"
Nino heard, and pushed the servant aside.
"Courage, my dear lady," he said, aloud, that she might know his voice. Hedwig appeared to make a frantic effort, and a little sound of pain escaped her as she hurt her hands.
"Oh, what shall I do!" she cried, piteously. "I locked it last night, and now I cannot turn the key!"
Nino pressed with all his weight against the door. Fortunately it was strong, or he would have broken it in, and it would have fallen upon her. But it opened outward, and was heavily bound with iron. Nino groaned.
"Has your excellency a taper?" asked Temistocle suddenly, forcing his head between Nino's body and the door, in order to be heard.
"Yes. I put it out."
"And matches?" he asked again.
"Yes."