“And I knew that I should find you,” he answered, finding his tongue at last.
She led him to a couch and commanded him to sit beside her. Modah had vanished.
“We may be surprized at any moment by a visit from the emperor or one of his spies,” she said. “We must make our plans quickly.”
“I am at your command, princess,” said Robert.
“There remain but two days in which to escape. The time set by the usurper for my father’s final decision expires then. My father will never bow to him. I shudder to think of what may follow.”
Robert pondered a minute. Obviously the Sphere offered the most promising avenue of escape; but how to gain access to it at night without arousing suspicion and probably fatal resistance was the question. A plan came to him. He could visit the Sphere the following afternoon under some plausible excuse without exciting suspicion, and could remain tinkering in it, ostensibly to make some repairs. Unless disturbed, he could wait till dark, then cautiously bring it over to the garden.
The scheme was simple enough, but the possibilities for failure were numerous. Should the emperor become suspicious and have the Sphere watched, his plans would be of no avail. A dozen other possible obstacles occurred to him but no better plan.
Swiftly he outlined it to Zola, obtaining her promise that she and her father would be in readiness to leave the following night. Her absolute confidence in his ability at once disturbed and inspired Robert. He felt that he must succeed at all costs. Here was probably his only chance of saving the maid of his dreams. He must not be found wanting.
“Quick! The emperor!” said Modah, tensely, appearing suddenly, as from nowhere.
Pressing the princess’ hand in hasty farewell, Robert followed Modah quickly. Down the long hallway they hurried. At a dark and forbidding doorway Modah halted and signaled Robert to follow. The next moment they had plunged into the darkness of a narrow passage leading off the main one. Groping blindly along the wall in the wake of Modah’s hurrying footsteps. Robert narrowly missed flattening his nose against the opposite wall as they turned a sharp bend. A moment later, however, a faint light glimmered ahead, revealing Modah scurrying along, a few yards in advance.