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I know it's good to have served you, and and Grigosie, the name will slip out and if you want to say anything, just promise that you won't send me packing as soon as we get free. I can turn my hand to other things beside soldiering." "You shall stay with us, Stefan," said Maritza. "I don't think I could have known any real woman before," the soldier muttered.
"Grigosie." "Is that you, Captain? I was just coming to call you. Watch the mountain opposite, and tell me if my eyes are deceiving me. There is nothing for the moment, but wait, and look steadily." The top of the opposite side of the pass stood out clearly against the sky, but below was darkness.
The brigands had not expected the fugitives to make for their old resting place, and when they saw them go up the path they shouted as though victory were already won, nor did they attempt to follow them. Why should they? Their foes were caught surely as birds netted by the fowler. "See to the horses, Grigosie," said Ellerey. "Put them as far back in the ruins as possible.
Grigosie, by Ellerey's orders, did not assist in this work, but stood sentinel upon the plateau. The boy had had as much as he could stand for one day. It was growing dusk in the pass below when they had finished. Daylight was still upon the summit of the mountains, but twilight had gathered in the deep valleys and ravines.
"Every gate is closed against Captain Ellerey by the King's orders," said Anton. "It has been so since noon to-day." "Is the scent so hot already?" "We shall leave the city, but not yet. The lad here will show us the way," Anton answered. "You see I am to be of some service quickly, Captain," said Grigosie. "Trust me. My way is clear enough, and no King's order has power to bar it.
They scrambled upward together, the unevenness of the hillside protecting them for a moment from the flying bullets. "I marked our direction," said Grigosie. "We can keep to this kind path for a little way, and with luck cross the open presently toward the horses." They ran on, crouching lest their heads should be seen and mark the direction they had taken.
When they went on duty, Grigosie watched by the path, Ellerey on the plateau. "They will wait for Vasilici," Stefan said, when he reported that all had been quiet so far. Ellerey paced up and down, pausing at short intervals to listen. Not a sound broke the deep silence. The great world seemed to lie still and motionless under the glow of the moonlit night and the pale glimmer of the stars.
These did not pause to fire; they ran, judging their pace and distance to a nicety. Long before the point for which the fugitives were making could be reached these men would be upon them. "We must stop them, Grigosie." The lad looked back. He was beginning to pant heavily. "Not yet," he said; "they are not close enough." So they ran on.
"They get heaped together very rapidly sometimes," was the reply. "How long shall we stay here?" "Only until we have seen Vasilici and delivered our message." "And then back to Sturatzberg with our demands backed by an army of patriots," said Grigosie. "And for the success of the scheme how do you reckon the chances?" "If I expected failure I should not be here."
"Yes, even then. These are borrowed clothes. Lord Cloverton persuaded someone to lend them. He was nervous until I became a woman. Grigosie is dead, Desmond." "Is there no regret in your heart?" "None," she answered. "You lose a kingdom, Maritza." "It is well lost for love, Desmond. I have found my king." She was kneeling beside the couch when Lord Cloverton entered.
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