"Yes, 'tis I. Keep still. You want to save Mariska, so do I."
"So it is," said Tököly. "I promised the woman I do not love that I would do it, and I will keep my promise. You need have no secrets from us, for we shall require your assistance."
"Your secrets are nought to me."
The Prince listened with downcast head to the conversation of the two young men; then he intervened, took their hands, and said with deep emotion:
"Feriz! Tököly! Once upon a time we faced each other as antagonists, and now as self-sacrificing friends we hold each other's hands. I don't want to be smaller than you. A scaffold has been put up in the courtyard of the fortress of Buda, that scaffold awaits a victim, whoever it may be, for the sword which the Sultan draws in his wrath will not remain unsatisfied. That scaffold was prepared for my wife, you must let me take her place. I am well aware that whoever liberates her must be prepared to perish instead of her. Let me perish. You, Feriz, can easily get into the fortress. Tell Hassan that the scaffold shall have the husband instead of the wife—let him surrender the wife for the husband."
"Leave the scaffold alone, Prince. He who deserves it most shall get to the scaffold."
"Don't listen to the Prince!" said Tököly to Feriz; "he has lost his head evidently, as he wants to make a present of it to Hassan. All I ask of you is to let me into the fortress; once let me get inside, and no harm shall be done. I was born with a caul, so good-luck goes with me."
"Good. Wait here till the muezzin proclaims midnight, which will not be long, I fancy, as the night is already well advanced; meanwhile, keep your eye on those horsemen below there."
The men fancied Feriz wanted to join the sentinels when the watch was relieved, and taking him at his word, hid themselves and their horses behind the lofty bank.
The night was now darker than ever, only here and there a lofty star looked down upon them from among the wind-swept clouds.