"They are watching us. We must be very cautious. But she is only a timid child and she will go to bed. I do wonder what is keeping Lena?"
"If they should keep her down stairs all night, then could we not venture to leave?" asked Cora.
"I don't know. They might suspect, and they might keep Lena. You take up the guitar and I will ring."
Cora obeyed. How her hands trembled! To be found out would almost mean death to both of them.
Helka pulled the cord that rang the hall bell. Then they waited, but there was no answer. She pulled it again, and after a few minutes she heard the familiar step of Lena.
She opened the door before the Gypsy girl had a chance to knock.
A wild gesture of the girl's hands told Helka not to speak. Then she entered the room.
"They are watching," she whispered, and without waiting for a reply she darted out into the hall again and crept down the stairs.
"Can't we——"
"Hush!" cautioned the queen as she pressed Cora's hands to bid her keep up her courage.