“Quick, then, ere thy fellow returns.”
The man hastily took out the key and tried it in the lock of the woman’s cell; it fitted, and he unlocked the door; then withdrawing the key, he replaced it in the door of Leonard’s cell.
“Roll that log to the door to keep it close till you think it safe to venture out,” Leonard advised the woman. She had but just done so when they heard the steps of the other soldier in the gallery.
“What is thy name, friend?” Leonard asked him in a whisper.
“Melta,” the man answered; and then, when the other made his appearance with some cord, he began to rate him for having been so long.
Leonard was bound in a loose fashion, just sufficient to prevent his free use of either arms or legs, and led away. On his way out he said a kindly word to Fernina.
“The Great Spirit help you,” was the reply. “I have no fear for you now; you will die with courage, if it be so fated. A heart that can feel and think for a stranger in the midst of such distress as is yours to-day is the heart of a brave man. But we may yet meet again.”
Leonard shook his head sadly.
“I have no false hopes,” he answered. “I do not expect that help can now come in time. I may be avenged; that is the most I can hope for.”
“Yes!” said the woman in a meaning tone; “you will be avenged; and so shall I.”