"You may light the candle now," she whispered; "then we will go back to Lisette."
Laczko lighted the candle, then shouldered his gun, and preceded his young mistress down the staircase to the lower story.
They had almost reached the door of Lisette's room when Marie, who had been peering sharply ahead, stopped abruptly, and exclaimed in a startled tone:
"There is a man!"
Even as she spoke a dark form stepped from a doorway into the corridor in front of them. Marie retreated several steps; but her little escort proved that he was made of sterner stuff. He placed himself valiantly in front of his young mistress, laid his gun against his cheek, and aiming directly for the stranger's breast, said, in a brave tone:
"Halt, or I will shoot you."
"That's my brave lad," commented the stranger. "But don't shoot. It is I, your father."
"Don't come any nearer, I tell you!" responded the lad, threateningly.
"Why, I am not moving a muscle, lad; don't be foolish."
"What do you want here?" demanded Laczko. "I will not let you do any harm to my mistress."