"Stephania."
He raised his arms entreatingly.
She sprang at him to gain the entrance to the Venus panel, which he covered with his person. For a moment he held her at bay, then she pushed him aside, rushed past him and disappeared in the dark passage, the door of which closed behind her with a sharp clang. She vanished in the subterranean gloom.
Haco had silently witnessed the scene.
Otto seemed to have forgotten his presence, when turning he found himself face to face with the trusty Saxon.
"Did you say—execution?" he addressed the man, his brain whirling.
"Signed by the King!" came the laconic reply.
"You may go! Bid Eckhardt repair hither at the earliest!"
Haco departed. Broken in mind and spirit Otto remained alone. Victory had crowned his cause,—but Death reigned in his heart.
CHAPTER XVI