"But I can't! I can't! I .... I won't! And you shan't either. Mr. Vondy! Mr. Von—...."
"Be quiet! Be quiet!"
She had tried to reach the door, but he had thrown his arms about her and was covering her mouth to smother her cries. Ceasing to shout she began to moan, and then he tried to coax her.
"Come, girl! Trust me! I know what I'm doing. Pull yourself together. Stand up! It's nearly eleven o'clock. You'll have to walk to the gate presently. Come now, be brave."
But her eyes had closed, and by the dim light from the grill he saw that she was insensible.
"Bessie! Bessie!" he whispered, but she was lying helpless in his arms.
For a moment he was bewildered. Of all the chances that might prevent success this was the only one he had not counted with. But at the next instant his mind, which was working with lightning-like rapidity, saw a new opportunity.
"Better so," he thought, and laying the unconscious woman on her bed he hurried back to the jailer.
III
"Mr. Vondy! Mr. Vondy! Your prisoner is ill."