The man went out.
Then he who had remained, raising a warning hand to Leonard, addressed him in low, guarded tones.
“The lord Monella,” he said, “is hastening to thine aid with many armed followers; but he has been detained in the underground pass. Whether he will arrive in time, I know not; if not and thou be harmed, thou wilt be avenged.”
“Who art thou, then?” asked Leonard.
“A friend of the lord Monella’s.”
“And my other friend—what of him?”
“He was a prisoner, but escaped, and has gone—I know not whither.”
“Heaven be praised for that! Ah, I can guess where he has gone!” Just then a sudden thought came into Leonard’s head.
“See, friend,” he said earnestly, “canst thou not turn the key in the lock of the next cell and give the poor creature there one little chance for liberty?”
“I do not know, but I will see. If the key fits, I might.”