Part 13 (1/2)

”The castle?”

”Yes. It is full of people. That they are Carlists I haven't a doubt.

I mean to visit them, and find out how the land lies.”

”But the danger is too great, is it not? May they not detain you?”

”I must run the risk of that.”

”Was it your intention to go among the Carlists before you met me?”

”Well, not exactly. I was on my way, and that way might have led among them.”

”Are you running this risk for my sake?”

”Well, not particularly, although I have an eye to you in this matter. My chief aim is, just now, to get something for dinner, and after that to find out what is the safest direction for us to take.”

The lady sat in thoughtful silence for some time.

”I am afraid,” said she, ”that you are incurring a terrible risk. You are now out of danger; why put yourself into it? Why may we not fly now, or to-night? I can fast for any length of time.”

”The danger is,” said the priest, ”that we may both fall into the hands of the very men we wish to avoid.”

”But that is the very thing you are going to do.”

”I--Oh, I can go alone anywhere.”

”Ah, there it is!” said the lady, bitterly. ”It is I who am a drag on you. It is I who am getting you into danger. Yet why not leave me?

Tell me where the road is: I will go back alone.”

”Oh, well,” said the priest, with his usual short laugh, ”as for that, we may talk of it again. I'll tell you presently. It may come to that, but I hope not. I am going to that castle all the same. I've been there before, and without harm: I expect to come back. But suppose I do not, how long will you wait here for me?”

”As long as you say.”

”Twenty-four hours?”

”Yes.”

”Very well. I do not think they will detain me, but it is best to be prepared. And now, by way of preliminary, I will show you how I can go over there. Remember, I have been here before, and have become acquainted with some of the secrets of this place. If you should be in danger, or if I should not come back, you will be able to fly by the way which I will now show you.”

The priest arose and entered the tower, followed by the lady. The pavement was of stone: part of it was open, and some ruinous steps led into a cellar. Here they descended, and found themselves in a place which had been excavated from the rock which formed three sides of the place. On the fourth was a wall, in which was a wide gap that looked out upon the chasm. It seemed as though there had once been a bridge at this point leading over to the castle.

”Here,” said the priest, ”if you look out you cannot imagine any possibility of descent, but if you examine carefully you will perceive a narrow ledge among the shrubbery. Go out on this, and follow it along, and you will find it growing wider as it goes down.

It will take you all the way to the bottom of this chasm, and there you will find stepping-stones by which to cross the brook, and on the opposite side a trail like this, which will lead you to the top of the opposite ridge.”

”I don't think that I should feel inclined to try it,” said the lady; ”but I am glad, all the same, that I have a mode of retreat. It makes one feel less desperate.”

”Oh, you know, I hope to be back again.”