Castel San Angelo appeared doomed indeed.
Otto pushed Stephania into a recess, then he made one bound towards the door. In the anteroom sat Benilo, the Chamberlain. His usually placid countenance seemed in the throes of a tremendous strain. Which way would the scales sink in the balance? A straw might turn the tide of Fate. Benilo waited. He held the last card in the great game. He would only play it at the last moment.
As Otto appeared on the threshold, he glanced up, then arose hurriedly.
"Victory is crowning your arms, King Otto!" he fawned, pointing in the region of the assault. "Soon your hereditary foe will be a myth—a—"
Otto waved his hand impatiently.
"Hasten to Castel San Angelo,—take the secret passage!—You may yet arrive in time to place this order in Eckhardt's hands!—Hurry—on every moment hangs a life."
"A life," gasped the Chamberlain. "Whose life?"
"The Senator's!"
"Ah! It is the order for his execution!" Benilo extended his hand, to receive the scroll, while a strange fire gleamed in his eyes. He had waited wisely.
"It is the order for Eckhardt,—to spare him! Hasten! Lose not a moment! Through the secret passage!"