Her music evidently worried the other, for she said something to the girl, who at once left off playing, replaced the instrument, and shortly afterwards left the room.
It now seemed that a favourable opportunity had come of making my presence known to the prisoner. I tapped softly on the pane. The Fräulein, who had resumed her listless attitude of reading, raised her head in surprise and listened. I tapped again. She looked in my direction now almost in terror. Standing as I did in comparative darkness she could probably see nothing of me. I brought my face close to the glass, and spoke her name. She must have seen me then, for she rose, laid down her book, and stood irresolute for a few seconds, seemingly between fear and joy. She went quickly to the door, drew aside the curtain which hung before it, and seemed to satisfy herself that no one was near. Then she ran towards me. I shall never forget the look on her face as she crossed the room. It was radiant. When she saw me, every trace of apprehension vanished. But the glass and the bars were between us; her face was as close to them on one side as mine was on the other. I put my hands round my mouth. “Can you open the window?” I said.
She heard me, for she examined the window and then shook her head. It was evidently not intended to open, the leaded glass having been put in apparently recently to cover what had been a bare aperture, open but for the bars. I took out my knife and proceeded to loosen one of the panes by easing the leaden frame away from its edges. The girl had made signs that she would keep watch by the door while my work was going on; in about five minutes I had the satisfaction of being able to take out the pane, and then she came back to me.
“I got your fan, Fräulein.”
“You! That night in Buyda?”
“Yes. It fell at my feet.”
“Heaven be thanked! And you have come to save me?”
“I hope so. I have worked to that end ever since I read your message.”
“Ah, you are brave! But you do not know the dangers of this horrible place.”
“Indeed I do, at least a few of them. But tell me, Fräulein, are you in immediate danger—of your life?”