BOOK VI: THE PURSUIT IN THE FOREST

by Bram Stoker

　　RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued.July 3, 1907.There is no anodyne but work to pain of the heart; and my pain is all ofthe heart. I sometimes feel that it is rather hard that with so much tomake me happy I cannot know happiness. How can I be happy when my wife,whom I fondly love, and who I know loves me, is suffering in horror andloneliness of a kind which is almost beyond human belief? However, whatis my loss is my country's gain, for the Land of the Blue Mountains is mycountry now, despite the fact that I am still a loyal subject of goodKing Edward. Uncle Roger took care of that when he said I should havethe consent of the Privy Council before I might be naturalized anywhereelse.When I got home yesterday morning I naturally could not sleep. Theevents of the night and the bitter disappointment that followed myexciting joy made such a thing impossible. When I drew the curtain overthe window, the reflection of the sunrise was just beginning to tinge thehigh-sailing clouds in front of me. I laid down and tried to rest, butwithout avail. However, I schooled myself to lie still, and at last, ifI did not sleep, was at least quiescent.Disturbed by a gentle tap at the door, I sprang up at once and threw on adressing gown. Outside, when I opened the door, was Aunt Janet. She washolding a lighted candle in her hand, for though it was getting light inthe open, the passages were still dark. When she saw me she seemed tobreathe more freely, and asked if she might come in.Whilst she sat on the edge of my bed, in her old-time way, she said in ahushed voice:"Oh, laddie, laddie, I trust yer burden is no too heavy to bear.""My burden! What on earth do you mean, Aunt Janet?" I said in reply. Idid not wish to commit myself by a definite answer, for it was evidentthat she had been dreaming or Second Sighting again. She replied withthe grim seriousness usual to her when she touched on occult matters:"I saw your hairt bleeding, laddie. I kent it was yours, though how Ikent it I don't know. It lay on a stone floor in the dark, save for adim blue light such as corpse-lights are. On it was placed a great book,and close around were scattered many strange things, amongst them twocrowns o' flowers--the one bound wi' silver, the other wi' gold. Therewas also a golden cup, like a chalice, o'erturned. The red wine trickledfrom it an' mingled wi' yer hairt's bluid; for on the great book was somevast dim weight wrapped up in black, and on it stepped in turn many menall swathed in black. An' as the weight of each came on it the bluidgushed out afresh. And oh, yer puir hairt, my laddie, was quick andleaping, so that at every beat it raised the black-clad weight! An' yetthat was not all, for hard by stood a tall imperial shape o' a woman, allarrayed in white, wi' a great veil o' finest lace worn o'er a shrood.An' she was whiter than the snow, an' fairer than the morn for beauty;though a dark woman she was, wi' hair like the raven, an' eyes black asthe sea at nicht, an' there was stars in them. An' at each beat o' yerpuir bleeding hairt she wrung her white hands, an' the manin' o' hersweet voice rent my hairt in twain. Oh, laddie, laddie! what does itmean?"I managed to murmur: "I'm sure I don't know, Aunt Janet. I suppose itwas all a dream!""A dream it was, my dear. A dream or a veesion, whilka matters nane, fora' such are warnin's sent frae God . . . " Suddenly she said in adifferent voice:"Laddie, hae ye been fause to any lassie? I'm no blamin' ye. For ye menare different frae us women, an' yer regard on recht and wrang differsfrom oors. But oh, laddie, a woman's tears fa' heavy when her hairt isfor sair wi' the yieldin' to fause words. 'Tis a heavy burden for onyman to carry wi' him as he goes, an' may well cause pain to ithers thathe fain would spare." She stopped, and in dead silence waited for me tospeak. I thought it would be best to set her poor loving heart at rest,and as I could not divulge my special secret, spoke in general terms:"Aunt Janet, I am a man, and have led a man's life, such as it is. But Ican tell you, who have always loved me and taught me to be true, that inall the world there is no woman who must weep for any falsity of mine.If close there be any who, sleeping or waking, in dreams or visions or inreality, weeps because of me, it is surely not for my doing, but becauseof something outside me. It may be that her heart is sore because I mustsuffer, as all men must in some degree; but she does not weep for orthrough any act of mine."She sighed happily at my assurance, and looked up through her tears, forshe was much moved; and after tenderly kissing my forehead and blessingme, stole away. She was more sweet and tender than I have words to say,and the only regret that I have in all that is gone is that I have notbeen able to bring my wife to her, and let her share in the love she hasfor me. But that, too, will come, please God!In the morning I sent a message to Rooke at Otranto, instructing him bycode to bring the yacht to Vissarion in the coming night.All day I spent in going about amongst the mountaineers, drilling themand looking after their arms. I could not stay still. My only chanceof peace was to work, my only chance of sleep to tire myself out.Unhappily, I am very strong, so even when I came home at dark I was quitefresh. However, I found a cable message from Rooke that the yacht wouldarrive at midnight.There was no need to summon the mountaineers, as the men in the Castlewould be sufficient to make preparations for the yacht's coming.Later.The yacht has come. At half-past eleven the lookout signalled that asteamer without lights was creeping in towards the Creek. I ran out tothe Flagstaff, and saw her steal in like a ghost. She is painted asteely blue-grey, and it is almost impossible to see her at any distance.She certainly goes wonderfully. Although there was not enough throb fromthe engines to mar the absolute stillness, she came on at a fine speed,and within a few minutes was close to the boom. I had only time to rundown to give orders to draw back the boom when she glided in and stoppeddead at the harbour wall. Rooke steered her himself, and he says henever was on a boat that so well or so quickly answered her helm. She iscertainly a beauty, and so far as I can see at night perfect in everydetail. I promise myself a few pleasant hours over her in the daylight.The men seem a splendid lot.But I do not feel sleepy; I despair of sleep to-night. But work demandsthat I be fit for whatever may come, and so I shall try to sleep--torest, at any rate.RUPERT'S JOURNAL.--Continued.July 4, 1907.I was up with the first ray of sunrise, so by the time I had my bath andwas dressed there was ample light. I went down to the dock at once, andspent the morning looking over the vessel, which fully justifies Rooke'senthusiasm about her. She is built on lovely lines, and I can quiteunderstand that she is enormously fast. Her armour I can only take onthe specifications, but her armament is really wonderful. And there arenot only all the very newest devices of aggressive warfare--indeed, shehas the newest up-to-date torpedoes and torpedo-guns--but also theold-fashioned rocket-tubes, which in certain occasions are so useful.She has electric guns and the latest Massillon water-guns, and Reinhardtelectro-pneumatic "deliverers" for pyroxiline shells. She is evenequipped with war-balloons easy of expansion, and with compressibleKitson aeroplanes. I don't suppose that there is anything quite like herin the world.The crew are worthy of her. I can't imagine where Rooke picked up such asplendid lot of men. They are nearly all man-of-warsmen; of variousnationalities, but mostly British. All young men--the oldest of themhasn't got into the forties--and, so far as I can learn, all experts ofone kind or another in some special subject of warfare. It will go hardwith me, but I shall keep them together.How I got through the rest of the day I know not. I tried hard not tocreate any domestic trouble by my manner, lest Aunt Janet should, afterher lurid dream or vision of last night, attach some new importance toit. I think I succeeded, for she did not, so far as I could tell, takeany special notice of me. We parted as usual at half-past ten, and Icame here and made this entry in my journal. I am more restless thanever to-night, and no wonder. I would give anything to be able to pay avisit to St. Sava's, and see my wife again--if it were only sleeping inher tomb. But I dare not do even that, lest she should come to see mehere, and I should miss her. So I have done what I can. The glass doorto the Terrace is open, so that she can enter at once if she comes. Thefire is lit, and the room is warm. There is food ready in case sheshould care for it. I have plenty of light in the room, so that throughthe aperture where I have not fully drawn the curtain there may be lightto guide her.Oh, how the time drags! The clock has struck midnight. One, two! Thankgoodness, it will shortly be dawn, and the activity of the day may begin!Work may again prove, in a way, to be an anodyne. In the meantime I mustwrite on, lest despair overwhelm me.Once during the night I thought I heard a footstep outside. I rushed tothe window and looked out, but there was nothing to see, no sound tohear. That was a little after one o'clock. I feared to go outside, lestthat should alarm her; so I came back to my table. I could not write,but I sat as if writing for a while. But I could not stand it, so roseand walked about the room. As I walked I felt that my Lady--it gives mea pang every time I remember that I do not know even her name--was notquite so far away from me. It made my heart beat to think that it mightmean that she was coming to me. Could not I as well as Aunt Janet have alittle Second Sight! I went towards the window, and, standing behind thecurtain, listened. Far away I thought I heard a cry, and ran out on theTerrace; but there was no sound to be heard, and no sign of any livingthing anywhere; so I took it for granted that it was the cry of somenight bird, and came back to my room, and wrote at my journal till I wascalm. I think my nerves must be getting out of order, when every soundof the night seems to have a special meaning for me.RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued.July 7, 1907When the grey of the morning came, I gave up hope of my wife appearing,and made up my mind that, so soon as I could get away without excitingAunt Janet's attention, I would go to St. Sava's. I always eat a goodbreakfast, and did I forgo it altogether, it would be sure to excite hercuriosity--a thing I do not wish at present. As there was still time towait, I lay down on my bed as I was, and--such is the way ofFate--shortly fell asleep.I was awakened by a terrific clattering at my door. When I opened it Ifound a little group of servants, very apologetic at awaking me withoutinstructions. The chief of them explained that a young priest had comefrom the Vladika with a message so urgent that he insisted on seeing meimmediately at all hazards. I came out at once, and found him in thehall of the Castle, standing before the great fire, which was always litin the early morning. He had a letter in his hand, but before giving itto me he said:"I am sent by the Vladika, who pressed on me that I was not to lose asingle instant in seeing you; that time is of golden price--nay, beyondprice. This letter, amongst other things, vouches for me. A terriblemisfortune has occurred. The daughter of our leader has disappearedduring last night--the same, he commanded me to remind you, that he spokeof at the meeting when he would not let the mountaineers fire their guns.No sign of her can be found, and it is believed that she has been carriedoff by the emissaries of the Sultan of Turkey, who once before broughtour nations to the verge of war by demanding her as a wife. I was alsoto say that the Vladika Plamenac would have come himself, but that it wasnecessary that he should at once consult with the Archbishop, StevanPalealogue, as to what step is best to take in this dire calamity. Hehas sent out a search-party under the Archimandrite of Spazac, PetrofVlastimir, who is to come on here with any news he can get, as you havecommand of the signalling, and can best spread the news. He knows thatyou, Gospodar, are in your great heart one of our compatriots, and thatyou have already proved your friendship by many efforts to strengthen ourhands for war. And as a great compatriot, he calls on you to aid us inour need." He then handed me the letter, and stood by respectfullywhilst I broke the seal and read it. It was written in great haste, andsigned by the Vladika."Come with us now in our nation's peril. Help us to rescue what we mostadore, and henceforth we shall hold you in our hearts. You shall learnhow the men of the Blue Mountains can love faith and valour. Come!"This was a task indeed--a duty worthy of any man. It thrilled me to thecore to know that the men of the Blue Mountains had called on me in theirdire need. It woke all the fighting instinct of my Viking forbears, andI vowed in my heart that they should be satisfied with my work. I calledto me the corps of signallers who were in the house, and led them to theCastle roof, taking with me the young messenger-priest."Come with me," I said to him, "and see how I answer the Vladika'scommand."The National flag was run up--the established signal that the nation wasin need. Instantly on every summit near and far was seen the flutter ofan answering flag. Quickly followed the signal that commanded the callto arms.One by one I gave the signallers orders in quick succession, for the planof search unfolded itself to me as I went on. The arms of the semaphorewhirled in a way that made the young priest stare. One by one, as theytook their orders, the signallers seemed to catch fire. Instinctivelythey understood the plan, and worked like demigods. They knew that sowidespread a movement had its best chance in rapidity and in unity ofaction.From the forest which lay in sight of the Castle came a wild cheering,which seemed to interpret the former stillness of the hills. It was goodto feel that those who saw the signals--types of many--were ready. I sawthe look of expectation on the face of the messenger-priest, and rejoicedat the glow that came as I turned to him to speak. Of course, he wantedto know something of what was going on. I saw the flashing of my owneyes reflected in his as I spoke:"Tell the Vladika that within a minute of his message being read the Landof the Blue Mountains was awake. The mountaineers are already marching,and before the sun is high there will be a line of guards within hail ofeach other round the whole frontier--from Angusa to Ilsin; from Ilsin toBajana; from Bajana to Ispazar; from Ispazar to Volok; from Volok toTatra; from Tatra to Domitan; from Domitan to Gravaja; and from Gravajaback to Angusa. The line is double. The old men keep guard on the line,and the young men advance. These will close in at the advancing line, sothat nothing can escape them. They will cover mountain-top and forestdepth, and will close in finally on the Castle here, which they canbehold from afar. My own yacht is here, and will sweep the coast fromend to end. It is the fastest boat afloat, and armed against a squadron.Here will all signals come. In an hour where we stand will be a signalbureau, where trained eyes will watch night and day till the lost one hasbeen found and the outrage has been avenged. The robbers are even nowwithin a ring of steel, and cannot escape."The young priest, all on fire, sprang on the battlements and shouted tothe crowd, which was massing round the Castle in the gardens far below.The forest was giving up its units till they seemed like the nucleus ofan army. The men cheered lustily, till the sound swung high up to uslike the roaring of a winter sea. With bared heads they were crying:"God and the Blue Mountains! God and the Blue Mountains!"I ran down to them as quickly as I could, and began to issue theirinstructions. Within a time to be computed by minutes the whole number,organized by sections, had started to scour the neighbouring mountains.At first they had only understood the call to arms for general safety.But when they learned that the daughter of a chief had been captured,they simply went mad. From something which the messenger first said, butwhich I could not catch or did not understand, the blow seemed to havefor them some sort of personal significance which wrought them to afrenzy.When the bulk of the men had disappeared, I took with me a few of my ownmen and several of the mountaineers whom I had asked to remain, andtogether we went to the hidden ravine which I knew. We found the placeempty; but there were unmistakable signs that a party of men had beenencamped there for several days. Some of our men, who were skilled inwoodcraft and in signs generally, agreed that there must have been sometwenty of them. As they could not find any trail either coming to orgoing from the place, they came to the conclusion that they must havecome separately from different directions and gathered there, and thatthey must have departed in something of the same mysterious way.However, this was, at any rate, some sort of a beginning, and the menseparated, having agreed amongst themselves to make a wide cast round theplace in the search for tracks. Whoever should find a trail was tofollow with at least one comrade, and when there was any definite news,it was to be signalled to the Castle.I myself returned at once, and set the signallers to work to spreadamongst our own people such news as we had.When presently such discoveries as had been made were signalled withflags to the Castle, it was found that the marauders had, in theirflight, followed a strangely zigzag course. It was evident that, intrying to baffle pursuit, they had tried to avoid places which theythought might be dangerous to them. This may have been simply a methodto disconcert pursuit. If so, it was, in a measure, excellent, for noneof those immediately following could possibly tell in what direction theywere heading. It was only when we worked the course on the great map inthe signaller's room (which was the old guard room of the Castle) that wecould get an inkling of the general direction of their flight. This gaveadded trouble to the pursuit; for the men who followed, being ignorant oftheir general intent, could not ever take chance to head them off, buthad to be ready to follow in any or every direction. In this manner thepursuit was altogether a stern chase, and therefore bound to be a longone.As at present we could not do anything till the intended route was moremarked, I left the signalling corps to the task of receiving and givinginformation to the moving bands, so that, if occasion served, they mighthead off the marauders. I myself took Rooke, as captain of the yacht,and swept out of the creek. We ran up north to Dalairi, then down southto Olesso, and came back to Vissarion. We saw nothing suspicious except,far off to the extreme southward, one warship which flew no flag. Rooke,however, who seemed to know ships by instinct, said she was a Turk; so onour return we signalled along the whole shore to watch her. Rooke heldThe Lady--which was the name I had given the armoured yacht--in readinessto dart out in case anything suspicious was reported. He was not tostand on any ceremony, but if necessary to attack. We did not intend tolose a point in this desperate struggle which we had undertaken. We hadplaced in different likely spots a couple of our own men to look afterthe signalling.When I got back I found that the route of the fugitives, who had nowjoined into one party, had been definitely ascertained. They had gonesouth, but manifestly taking alarm from the advancing line of guards, hadheaded up again to the north-east, where the country was broader and themountains wilder and less inhabited.Forthwith, leaving the signalling altogether in the hands of the fightingpriests, I took a small chosen band of the mountaineers of our owndistrict, and made, with all the speed we could, to cut across the trackof the fugitives a little ahead of them. The Archimandrite (Abbot) ofSpazac, who had just arrived, came with us. He is a splendid man--a realfighter as well as a holy cleric, as good with his handjar as with hisBible, and a runner to beat the band. The marauders were going at afearful pace, considering that they were all afoot; so we had to go fastalso! Amongst these mountains there is no other means of progressing.Our own men were so aflame with ardour that I could not but notice thatthey, more than any of the others whom I had seen, had some special causefor concern.When I mentioned it to the Archimandrite, who moved by my side, heanswered:"All natural enough; they are not only fighting for their country, butfor their own!" I did not quite understand his answer, and so began toask him some questions, to the effect that I soon began to understand agood deal more than he did.Letter from Archbishop Stevan Palealogue, Head of the Eastern Churchof the Blue Mountains, to the Lady Janet MacKelpie, Vissarion.Written July 9, 1907.HONOURED LADY,As you wish for an understanding regarding the late lamentableoccurrence in which so much danger was incurred to this our Land ofthe Blue Mountains, and one dear to us, I send these words by requestof the Gospodar Rupert, beloved of our mountaineers.When the Voivode Peter Vissarion made his journey to the great nationto whom we looked in our hour of need, it was necessary that heshould go in secret. The Turk was at our gates, and full of themalice of baffled greed. Already he had tried to arrange a marriagewith the Voivodin, so that in time to come he, as her husband, mighthave established a claim to the inheritance of the land. Well heknew, as do all men, that the Blue Mountaineers owe allegiance tonone that they themselves do not appoint to rulership. This has beenthe history in the past. But now and again an individual has arisenor come to the front adapted personally for such government as thisland requires. And so the Lady Teuta, Voivodin of the BlueMountains, was put for her proper guarding in the charge of myself asHead of the Eastern Church in the Land of the Blue Mountains, stepsbeing taken in such wise that no capture of her could be effected byunscrupulous enemies of this our Land. This task and guardianshipwas gladly held as an honour by all concerned. For the VoivodinTeuta of Vissarion must be taken as representing in her own personthe glory of the old Serb race, inasmuch as being the only child ofthe Voivode Vissarion, last male of his princely race--the race whichever, during the ten centuries of our history, unflinchingly gavelife and all they held for the protection, safety, and well-being ofthe Land of the Blue Mountains. Never during those centuries had anyone of the race been known to fail in patriotism, or to draw backfrom any loss or hardship enjoined by high duty or stress of need.Moreover, this was the race of that first Voivode Vissarion, of whom,in legend, it was prophesied that he--once known as "The Sword ofFreedom," a giant amongst men--would some day, when the nation hadneed of him, come forth from his water-tomb in the lost Lake of Reo,and lead once more the men of the Blue Mountains to lasting victory.This noble race, then, had come to be known as the last hope of theLand. So that when the Voivode was away on his country's service,his daughter should be closely guarded. Soon after the Voivode hadgone, it was reported that he might be long delayed in hisdiplomacies, and also in studying the system of ConstitutionalMonarchy, for which it had been hoped to exchange our imperfectpolitical system. I may say inter alia that he was mentioned as tobe the first king when the new constitution should have beenarranged.Then a great misfortune came on us; a terrible grief overshadowed theland. After a short illness, the Voivodin Teuta Vissarion diedmysteriously of a mysterious ailment. The grief of the mountaineerswas so great that it became necessary for the governing Council towarn them not to allow their sorrow to be seen. It was imperativelynecessary that the fact of her death should be kept secret. Forthere were dangers and difficulties of several kinds. In the firstplace it was advisable that even her father should be kept inignorance of his terrible loss. It was well known that he held heras the very core of his heart and that if he should hear of herdeath, he would be too much prostrated to be able to do the intricateand delicate work which he had undertaken. Nay, more: he would neverremain afar off, under the sad circumstances, but would straightwayreturn, so as to be in the land where she lay. Then suspicions wouldcrop up, and the truth must shortly be known afield, with theinevitable result that the Land would become the very centre of a warof many nations.In the second place, if the Turks were to know that the race ofVissarion was becoming extinct, this would encourage them to furtheraggression, which would become immediate should they find out thatthe Voivode was himself away. It was well known that they werealready only suspending hostilities until a fitting opportunityshould arise. Their desire for aggression had become acute after therefusal of the nation, and of the girl herself, that she shouldbecome a wife of the Sultan.The dead girl had been buried in the Crypt of the church of St. Sava,and day after day and night after night, singly and in parties, thesorrowing mountaineers had come to pay devotion and reverence at hertomb. So many had wished to have a last glimpse of her face that theVladika had, with my own consent as Archbishop, arranged for a glasscover to be put over the stone coffin wherein her body lay.After a little time, however, there came a belief to all concerned inthe guarding of the body--these, of course, being the priests ofvarious degrees of dignity appointed to the task--that the Voivodinwas not really dead, but only in a strangely-prolonged trance.Thereupon a new complication arose. Our mountaineers are, as perhapsyou know, by nature deeply suspicious--a characteristic of all braveand self-sacrificing people who are jealous of their noble heritage.Having, as they believed, seen the girl dead, they might not bewilling to accept the fact of her being alive. They might evenimagine that there was on foot some deep, dark plot which was, ormight be, a menace, now or hereafter, to their independence. In anycase, there would be certain to be two parties on the subject, adangerous and deplorable thing in the present condition of affairs.As the trance, or catalepsy, whatever it was, continued for manydays, there had been ample time for the leaders of the Council, theVladika, the priesthood represented by the Archimandrite of Spazac,myself as Archbishop and guardian of the Voivodin in her father'sabsence, to consult as to a policy to be observed in case of the girlawaking. For in such case the difficulty of the situation would bemultiplied indefinitely. In the secret chambers of St. Sava's we hadmany secret meetings, and were finally converging on agreement whenthe end of the trance came.The girl awoke!She was, of course, terribly frightened when she found herself in atomb in the Crypt. It was truly fortunate that the great candlesaround her tomb had been kept lighted, for their light mitigated thehorror of the place. Had she waked in darkness, her reason mighthave become unseated.She was, however, a very noble girl; brave, with extraordinary will,and resolution, and self-command, and power of endurance. When shehad been taken into one of the secret chambers of the church, whereshe was warmed and cared for, a hurried meeting was held by theVladika, myself, and the chiefs of the National Council. Word hadbeen at once sent to me of the joyful news of her recovery; and withthe utmost haste I came, arriving in time to take a part in theCouncil.At the meeting the Voivodin was herself present, and full confidenceof the situation was made to her. She herself proposed that thebelief in her death should be allowed to prevail until the return ofher father, when all could be effectively made clear. To this endshe undertook to submit to the terrific strain which such aproceeding would involve. At first we men could not believe that anywoman could go through with such a task, and some of us did nothesitate to voice our doubts--our disbelief. But she stood to herguns, and actually down-faced us. At the last we, remembering thingsthat had been done, though long ages ago, by others of her race, cameto believe not merely in her self-belief and intention, but even inthe feasibility of her plan. She took the most solemn oaths not tobetray the secret under any possible stress.The priesthood undertook through the Vladika and myself to further aghostly belief amongst the mountaineers which would tend to prevent atoo close or too persistent observation. The Vampire legend wasspread as a protection against partial discovery by any mischance,and other weird beliefs were set afoot and fostered. Arrangementswere made that only on certain days were the mountaineers to beadmitted to the Crypt, she agreeing that for these occasions she wasto take opiates or carry out any other aid to the preservation of thesecret. She was willing, she impressed upon us, to make any personalsacrifice which might be deemed necessary for the carrying out herfather's task for the good of the nation.Of course, she had at first terrible frights lying alone in thehorror of the Crypt. But after a time the terrors of the situation,if they did not cease, were mitigated. There are secret caverns offthe Crypt, wherein in troublous times the priests and others of highplace have found safe retreat. One of these was prepared for theVoivodin, and there she remained, except for such times as she was onshow--and certain other times of which I shall tell you. Provisionwas made for the possibility of any accidental visit to the church.At such times, warned by an automatic signal from the opening door,she was to take her place in the tomb. The mechanism was so arrangedthat the means to replace the glass cover, and to take the opiate,were there ready to her hand. There was to be always a watch ofpriests at night in the church, to guard her from ghostly fears aswell as from more physical dangers; and if she was actually in hertomb, it was to be visited at certain intervals. Even the draperieswhich covered her in the sarcophagus were rested on a bridge placedfrom side to side just above her, so as to hide the rising andfalling of her bosom as she slept under the narcotic.After a while the prolonged strain began to tell so much on her thatit was decided that she should take now and again exercise out ofdoors. This was not difficult, for when the Vampire story which wehad spread began to be widely known, her being seen would be acceptedas a proof of its truth. Still, as there was a certain danger in herbeing seen at all, we thought it necessary to exact from her a solemnoath that so long as her sad task lasted she should under nocircumstances ever wear any dress but her shroud--this being the onlyway to insure secrecy and to prevail against accident.There is a secret way from the Crypt to a sea cavern, whose entranceis at high-tide under the water-line at the base of the cliff onwhich the church is built. A boat, shaped like a coffin, wasprovided for her; and in this she was accustomed to pass across thecreek whenever she wished to make excursion. It was an excellentdevice, and most efficacious in disseminating the Vampire belief.This state of things had now lasted from before the time when theGospodar Rupert came to Vissarion up to the day of the arrival of thearmoured yacht.That night the priest on duty, on going his round of the Crypt justbefore dawn, found the tomb empty. He called the others, and theymade full search. The boat was gone from the cavern, but on makingsearch they found it on the farther side of the creek, close to thegarden stairs. Beyond this they could discover nothing. She seemedto have disappeared without leaving a trace.Straightway they went to the Vladika, and signalled to me by thefire-signal at the monastery at Astrag, where I then was. I took aband of mountaineers with me, and set out to scour the country. Butbefore going I sent an urgent message to the Gospodar Rupert, askinghim, who showed so much interest and love to our Land, to help us inour trouble. He, of course, knew nothing then of all have now toldyou. Nevertheless, he devoted himself whole-heartedly to ourneeds--as doubtless you know.But the time had now come close when the Voivode Vissarion was aboutto return from his mission; and we of the council of his daughter'sguardianship were beginning to arrange matters so that at his returnthe good news of her being still alive could be made public. Withher father present to vouch for her, no question as to truth couldarise.But by some means the Turkish "Bureau of Spies" must have gotknowledge of the fact already. To steal a dead body for the purposeof later establishing a fictitious claim would have been anenterprise even more desperate than that already undertaken. Weinferred from many signs, made known to us in an investigation, thata daring party of the Sultan's emissaries had made a secret incursionwith the object of kidnapping the Voivodin. They must have been boldof heart and strong of resource to enter the Land of the BlueMountains on any errand, let alone such a desperate one as this. Forcenturies we have been teaching the Turk through bitter lessons thatit is neither a safe task nor an easy one to make incursion here.How they did it we know not--at present; but enter they did, and,after waiting in some secret hiding-place for a favourableopportunity, secured their prey. We know not even now whether theyhad found entrance to the Crypt and stole, as they thought, the deadbody, or whether, by some dire mischance, they found herabroad--under her disguise as a ghost. At any rate, they hadcaptured her, and through devious ways amongst the mountains werebearing her back to Turkey. It was manifest that when she was onTurkish soil the Sultan would force a marriage on her so aseventually to secure for himself or his successors as against allother nations a claim for the suzerainty or guardianship of the BlueMountains.Such was the state of affairs when the Gospodar Rupert threw himselfinto the pursuit with fiery zeal and the Berserk passion which heinherited from Viking ancestors, whence of old came "The Sword ofFreedom" himself.But at that very time was another possibility which the Gospodar washimself the first to realize. Failing the getting the Voivodin safeto Turkish soil, the ravishers might kill her! This would beentirely in accord with the base traditions and history of theMoslems. So, too, it would accord with Turkish customs and theSultan's present desires. It would, in its way, benefit the ultimatestrategetic ends of Turkey. For were once the Vissarion race at anend, the subjection of the Land of the Blue Mountains might, in theirview, be an easier task than it had yet been found to be.Such, illustrious lady, were the conditions of affairs when theGospodar Rupert first drew his handjar for the Blue Mountains andwhat it held most dear.PALEALOGUE,Archbishop of the Eastern Church, in the Land of the BlueMountains.RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued.July 8, 1907.I wonder if ever in the long, strange history of the world had there cometo any other such glad tidings as came to me--and even then ratherinferentially than directly--from the Archimandrite's answers to myquestioning. Happily I was able to restrain myself, or I should havecreated some strange confusion which might have evoked distrust, andwould certainly have hampered us in our pursuit. For a little I couldhardly accept the truth which wove itself through my brain as the trueinwardness of each fact came home to me and took its place in the wholefabric. But even the most welcome truth has to be accepted some time byeven a doubting heart. My heart, whatever it may have been, was not thena doubting heart, but a very, very grateful one. It was only thesplendid magnitude of the truth which forbade its immediate acceptance.I could have shouted for joy, and only stilled myself by keeping mythoughts fixed on the danger which my wife was in. My wife! My wife!Not a Vampire; not a poor harassed creature doomed to terrible woe, but asplendid woman, brave beyond belief, patriotic in a way which has but fewpeers even in the wide history of bravery! I began to understand thetrue meaning of the strange occurrences that have come into my life.Even the origin and purpose of that first strange visit to my room becameclear. No wonder that the girl could move about the Castle in somysterious a manner. She had lived there all her life, and was familiarwith the secret ways of entrance and exit. I had always believed thatthe place must have been honeycombed with secret passages. No wonderthat she could find a way to the battlements, mysterious to everybodyelse. No wonder that she could meet me at the Flagstaff when she sodesired.To say that I was in a tumult would be to but faintly express mycondition. I was rapt into a heaven of delight which had no measure inall my adventurous life--the lifting of the veil which showed that mywife--mine--won in all sincerity in the very teeth of appallingdifficulties and dangers--was no Vampire, no corpse, no ghost or phantom,but a real woman of flesh and blood, of affection, and love, and passion.Now at last would my love be crowned indeed when, having rescued her fromthe marauders, I should bear her to my own home, where she would live andreign in peace and comfort and honour, and in love and wifely happinessif I could achieve such a blessing for her--and for myself.But here a dreadful thought flashed across me, which in an instant turnedmy joy to despair, my throbbing heart to ice:"As she is a real woman, she is in greater danger than ever in the handsof Turkish ruffians. To them a woman is in any case no more than asheep; and if they cannot bring her to the harem of the Sultan, they maydeem it the next wisest step to kill her. In that way, too, they mightfind a better chance of escape. Once rid of her the party couldseparate, and there might be a chance of some of them finding escape asindividuals that would not exist for a party. But even if they did notkill her, to escape with her would be to condemn her to the worst fate ofall the harem of the Turk! Lifelong misery and despair--however longthat life might be--must be the lot of a Christian woman doomed to such alot. And to her, just happily wedded, and after she had served hercountry in such a noble way as she had done, that dreadful life ofshameful slavery would be a misery beyond belief."She must be rescued--and quickly! The marauders must be caught soon,and suddenly, so that they may have neither time nor opportunity to harmher, as they would be certain to do if they have warning of immediatedanger."On! on!"And "on" it was all through that terrible night as well as we couldthrough the forest.It was a race between the mountaineers and myself as to who should befirst. I understood now the feeling that animated them, and whichsingled them out even from amongst their fiery comrades, when the dangerof the Voivodin became known. These men were no mean contestants even insuch a race, and, strong as I am, it took my utmost effort to keep aheadof them. They were keen as leopards, and as swift. Their lives had beenspent among the mountains, and their hearts and souls on were in thechase. I doubt not that if the death of any one of us could have throughany means effected my wife's release, we should, if necessary, havefought amongst ourselves for the honour.From the nature of the work before us our party had to keep to the top ofthe hills. We had not only to keep observation on the flying party whomwe followed, and to prevent them making discovery of us, but we had to bealways in a position to receive and answer signals made to us from theCastle, or sent to us from other eminences.Letter from Petrof Vlastimir, Archimandrite of Spazac, to the LadyJanet MacKelpie, of Vissarion.Written July 8, 1907.GREAT LADY,I am asked to write by the Vladika, and have permission of theArchbishop. I have the honour of transmitting to you the record ofthe pursuit of the Turkish spies who carried off the Voivodin Teuta,of the noble House of Vissarion. The pursuit was undertaken by theGospodar Rupert, who asked that I would come with his party, sincewhat he was so good as to call my "great knowledge of the country andits people" might serve much. It is true that I have had muchknowledge of the Land of the Blue Mountains and its people, amongstwhich and whom my whole life has been passed. But in such a cause noreason was required. There was not a man in the Blue Mountains whowould not have given his life for the Voivodin Teuta, and when theyheard that she had not been dead, as they thought, but only in atrance, and that it was she whom the marauders had carried off, theywere in a frenzy. So why should I--to whom has been given the greattrust of the Monastery of Spazac--hesitate at such a time? Formyself, I wanted to hurry on, and to come at once to the fight withmy country's foes; and well I knew that the Gospodar Rupert, with alion's heart meet for his giant body, would press on with a matchlessspeed. We of the Blue Mountains do not lag when our foes are infront of us; most of all do we of the Eastern Church press on whenthe Crescent wars against the Cross!We took with us no gear or hamper of any kind; no coverings exceptwhat we stood in; no food--nothing but our handjars and our rifles,with a sufficiency of ammunition. Before starting, the Gospodar gavehurried orders by signal from the Castle to have food and ammunitionsent to us (as we might signal) by the nearest hamlet.It was high noon when we started, only ten strong--for our leaderwould take none but approved runners who could shoot straight and usethe handjar as it should be used. So as we went light, we expectedto go fast. By this time we knew from the reports signalled toVissarion that the enemies were chosen men of no despicable prowess.The Keeper of the Green Flag of Islam is well served, and as thoughthe Turk is an infidel and a dog, he is sometimes brave and strong.Indeed, except when he passes the confines of the Blue Mountains, hehas been known to do stirring deeds. But as none who have dared towander in amongst our hills ever return to their own land, we may notknow of how they speak at home of their battles here. Still, thesemen were evidently not to be despised; and our Gospodar, who is awise man as well as a valiant, warned us to be prudent, and not todespise our foes over much. We did as he counselled, and in proof weonly took ten men, as we had only twenty against us. But then therewas at stake much beyond life, and we took no risks. So, as thegreat clock at Vissarion clanged of noon, the eight fastest runnersof the Blue Mountains, together with the Gospodar Rupert and myself,swept out on our journey. It had been signalled to us that thecourse which the marauders had as yet taken in their flight was azigzag one, running eccentrically at all sorts of angles in all sortsof directions. But our leader had marked out a course where we mightintercept our foes across the main line of their flight; and till wehad reached that region we paused not a second, but went as fast aswe could all night long. Indeed, it was amongst us a race as was theOlympic race of old Greece, each one vying with his fellows, thoughnot in jealous emulation, but in high spirit, to best serve hiscountry and the Voivodin Teuta. Foremost amongst us went theGospodar, bearing himself as a Paladin of old, his mighty formpausing for no obstacle. Perpetually did he urge us on. He wouldnot stop or pause for a moment, but often as he and I rantogether--for, lady, in my youth I was the fleetest of all in therace, and even that now can head a battalion when duty calls--hewould ask me certain questions as to the Lady Teuta and of thestrange manner of her reputed death, as it was gradually unfolded inmy answers to his questioning. And as each new phase of knowledgecame to him, he would rush on as one possessed of fiends: whereat ourmountaineers, who seem to respect even fiends for their thoroughness,would strive to keep pace with him till they too seemed worked intodiabolic possession. And I myself, left alone in the calmness ofsacerdotal office, forgot even that. With surging ears and eyes thatsaw blood, I rushed along with best of them.Then truly the spirit of a great captain showed itself in theGospodar, for when others were charged with fury he began to forcehimself into calm, so that out of his present self-command and thememory of his exalted position came a worthy strategy and thought forevery contingency that might arise. So that when some new directionwas required for our guidance, there was no hesitation in its coming.We, nine men of varying kinds, all felt that we had a master; and so,being willing to limit ourselves to strict obedience, we were free touse such thoughts as well as such powers as we had to the bestadvantage of the doing.We came across the trail of the flying marauders on the secondmorning after the abduction, a little before noon. It was easyenough to see, for by this time the miscreants were all together, andour people, who were woodlanders, were able to tell much of the partythat passed. These were evidently in a terrified hurry, for they hadtaken no precautions such as are necessary baffle pursuit, and all ofwhich take time. Our foresters said that two went ahead and twobehind. In the centre went the mass, moving close together, asthough surrounding their prisoner. We caught not even a singleglimpse her--could not have, they encompassed her so closely. Butour foresters saw other than the mass; the ground that had beenpassed was before them. They knew that the prisoner had goneunwillingly--nay, more: one of them said as he rose from his knees,where he had been examining of the ground:"The misbegotten dogs have been urging her on with their yataghans!There are drops of blood, though there are no blood-marks on herfeet."Whereupon the Gospodar flamed with passion. His teeth groundtogether, and with a deep-breathed "On, on!" he sprang off again,handjar in hand, on the track.Before long we saw the party in the distance. They this were farbelow us in a deep valley, although the track of their going passedaway to the right hand. They were making for the base of the greatcliff, which rose before us all. Their reason was twofold, as wesoon knew. Far off down the valley which they were crossing we sawsigns of persons coming in haste, who must be of the search partycoming from the north. Though the trees hid them, we could notmistake the signs. I was myself forester enough to have no doubt.Again, it was evident that the young Voivodin could travel no longerat the dreadful pace at which they had been going. Those blood-markstold their own tale! They meant to make a last stand here in casethey should be discovered.Then it was that he, who amongst us all had been most fierce and mostbent on rapid pursuit, became the most the calm. Raising his handfor silence--though, God knows, we were and had been silent enoughduring that long rush through the forest--he said, in a low, keenwhisper which cut the silence like a knife:"My friends, the time is come for action. God be thanked, who hasnow brought us face to face with our foes! But we must be carefulhere--not on our own account, for we wish nothing more than to rushon and conquer or die--but for the sake of her whom you love, andwhom I, too, love. She is in danger from anything which may givewarning to those fiends. If they know or even suspect for an instantthat we are near, they will murder her . . . "Here his voice broke for an instant with the extremity of his passionor the depth of his feeling--I hardly know which; I think both actedon him."We know from those blood-marks what they can do--even to her." Histeeth ground together again, but he went on without stopping further:"Let us arrange the battle. Though we are but little distance fromthem as the crow flies, the way is far to travel. There is, I cansee, but one path down to the valley from this side. That they havegone by, and that they will sure to guard--to watch, at any rate.Let us divide, as to surround them. The cliff towards which theymake runs far to the left without a break. That to the right wecannot see from this spot; but from the nature of the ground it isnot unlikely that it turns round in this direction, making the hitherend of the valley like a vast pocket or amphitheatre. As they havestudied the ground in other places, they may have done so in this,and have come hither as to a known refuge. Let one man, a marksman,stay here."As he spoke a man stepped to the front. He was, I knew, an excellentshot."Let two others go to the left and try to find a way down the cliffbefore us. When they have descended to the level of the valley--pathor no path--let them advance cautiously and secretly, keeping theirguns in readiness. But they must not fire till need. Remember, mybrothers," said, turning to those who stepped out a pace or two tothe left, "that the first shot gives the warning which will be thesignal for the Voivodin's death. These men will not hesitate. Youmust judge yourselves of the time to shoot. The others of us willmove to the right and try to find a path on that side. If the valleybe indeed a pocket between the cliffs, we must find a way down thatis not a path!"As he spoke thus there was a blaze in his eyes that betokened no goodto aught that might stand in his way. I ran by his side as we movedto the right.It was as he surmised about the cliff. When we got a little on ourway we saw how the rocky formation trended to our right, till,finally, with a wide curve, it came round to the other side.It was a fearful valley that, with its narrow girth and its toweringwalls that seemed to topple over. On the farther side from us thegreat trees that clothed the slope of the mountain over it grew downto the very edge of the rock, so that their spreading branches hungfar over the chasm. And, so far as we could understand, the samecondition existed on our own side. Below us the valley was dark evenin the daylight. We could best tell the movement of the flyingmarauders by the flashes of the white shroud of their captive in themidst of them.From where we were grouped, amid the great tree-trunks on the verybrow of the cliff, we could, when our eyes were accustomed to theshadow, see them quite well. In great haste, and half dragging, halfcarrying the Voivodin, they crossed the open space and took refuge ina little grassy alcove surrounded, save for its tortuous entrance, byundergrowth. From the valley level it was manifestly impossible tosee them, though we from our altitude could see over the stuntedundergrowth. When within the glade, they took their hands from her.She, shuddering instinctively, withdrew to a remote corner of thedell.And then, oh, shame on their manhood!--Turks and heathens though theywere--we could see that they had submitted her to the indignity ofgagging her and binding her hands!Our Voivodin Teuta bound! To one and all of us it was like lashingus across the face. I heard the Gospodar's teeth grind again. Butonce more he schooled himself to calmness ere he said:"It is, perhaps, as well, great though the indignity be. They areseeking their own doom, which is coming quickly . . . Moreover, theyare thwarting their own base plans. Now that she is bound they willtrust to their binding, so that they will delay their murderousalternative to the very last moment. Such is our chance of rescuingher alive!"For a few moments he stood as still as a stone, as though revolvingsomething in his mind whilst he watched. I could see that some grimresolution was forming in his mind, for his eyes ranged to the top ofthe trees above cliff, and down again, very slowly this time, asthough measuring and studying the detail of what was in front of him.Then he spoke:"They are in hopes that the other pursuing party may not come acrossthem. To know that, they are waiting. If those others do not comeup the valley, they will proceed on their way. They will return upthe path the way they came. There we can wait them, charge into themiddle of them when she is opposite, and cut down those around her.Then the others will open fire, and we shall be rid of them!Whilst he was speaking, two of the men of our party, who I knew to begood sharpshooters, and who had just before lain on their faces andhad steadied their rifles to shoot, rose to their feet."Command us, Gospodar!" they said simply, as they stood to attention."Shall we go to the head of the ravine road and there take hiding?"He thought for perhaps a minute, whilst we all stood as silent asimages. I could hear our hearts beating. Then he said:"No, not yet. There is time for that yet. They will not--cannotstir or make plans in any way till they know whether the other partyis coming towards them or not. From our height here we can see whatcourse the others are taking long before those villains do. Then wecan make our plans and be ready in time."We waited many minutes, but could see no further signs the otherpursuing party. These had evidently adopted greater caution in theirmovements as they came closer to where they expected to find theenemy. The marauders began to grow anxious. Even at our distance wecould gather as much from their attitude and movements.Presently, when the suspense of their ignorance grew too much forthem, they drew to the entrance of the glade, which was the farthestplace to which, without exposing themselves to anyone who might cometo the valley, they could withdraw from their captive. Here theyconsulted together. We could follow from their gestures what theywere saying, for as they did not wish their prisoner to hear, theirgesticulation was enlightening to us as to each other. Our people,like all mountaineers, have good eyes, and the Gospodar is himself aneagle in this as in other ways. Three men stood back from the rest.They stacked their rifles so that they could seize them easily. Thenthey drew their scimitars, and stood ready, as though on guard.These were evidently the appointed murderers. Well they knew theirwork; for though they stood in a desert place with none within longdistance except the pursuing party, of whose approach they would havegood notice, they stood so close to their prisoner that no marksmanin the world--now or that ever had been; not William Tellhimself--could have harmed any of them without at least endangeringher. Two of them turned the Voivodin round so that her face wastowards the precipice--in which position she could not see what wasgoing on--whilst he who was evidently leader of the gang explained,in gesture, that the others were going to spy upon the pursuingparty. When they had located them he, or one of his men, would comeout of the opening of the wood wherein they had had evidence of them,and hold up his hand.That was to be the signal for the cutting of the victim'sthroat--such being the chosen method (villainous even for heathenmurderers) of her death. There was not one of our men who did notgrind his teeth when we witnessed the grim action, only tooexpressive, of the Turk as he drew his right hand, clenched as thoughhe held a yataghan in it, across his throat.At the opening of the glade all the spying party halted whilst theleader appointed to each his place of entry of the wood, the front ofwhich extended in an almost straight across the valley from cliff tocliff.The men, stooping low when in the open, and taking instant advantageof every little obstacle on the ground, seemed to fade like spectreswith incredible swiftness across the level mead, and were swallowedup in the wood.When they had disappeared the Gospodar Rupert revealed to us thedetails of the plan of action which he had revolving in his mind. Hemotioned us to follow him: we threaded a way between the tree-trunks,keeping all the while on the very edge of the cliff, so that thespace below was all visible to us. When we had got round the curvesufficiently to see the whole of the wood on the valley level,without losing sight of the Voivodin and her appointed assassins, wehalted under his direction. There was an added advantage of thispoint over the other, for we could see directly the rising of thehill-road, up which farther side ran the continuation of the mountainpath which the marauders had followed. It was somewhere on that paththat the other pursuing party had hoped to intercept the fugitives.The Gospodar spoke quickly, though in a voice of command which truesoldiers love to hear:"Brothers, the time has come when we can strike a blow for Teuta andthe Land. Do you two, marksmen, take position here facing the wood."The two men here lay down and got their rifles ready. "Divide thefrontage of the wood between you; arrange between yourselves thelimits of your positions. The very instant one of the maraudersappears, cover him; drop him before he emerges from the wood. Eventhen still watch and treat similarly whoever else may take his place.Do this if they come singly till not a man is left. Remember,brothers, that brave hearts alone will not suffice at this grimcrisis. In this hour the best safety of the Voivodin is in the calmspirit and the steady eye!" Then he turned to the rest of us, andspoke to me:"Archimandrite of Plazac, you who are interpreter to God of theprayers of so many souls, my own hour has come. If I do not return,convey my love to my Aunt Janet--Miss MacKelpie, at Vissarion. Thereis but one thing left to us if we wish to save the Voivodin. Do you,when the time comes, take these men and join the watcher at the topof the ravine road. When the shots are fired, do you out handjar,and rush the ravine and across the valley. Brothers, you may be intime to avenge the Voivodin, if you cannot save her. For me theremust be a quicker way, and to it I go. As there is not, and will notbe, time to traverse the path, I must take a quicker way. Naturefinds me a path that man has made it necessary for me to travel. Seethat giant beech-tree that towers above the glade where the Voivodinis held? There is my path! When you from here have marked thereturn of the spies, give me a signal with your hat--do not use ahandkerchief, as others might see its white, and take warning. Thenrush that ravine. I shall take that as the signal for my descent bythe leafy road. If I can do naught else, I can crush the murdererswith my falling weight, even if I have to kill her too. At least weshall die together--and free. Lay us together in the tomb at St.Sava's. Farewell, if it be the last!"He threw down the scabbard in which he carried his handjar, adjustedthe naked weapon in his belt behind his back, and was gone!We who were not watching the wood kept our eyes fixed on the greatbeech-tree, and with new interest noticed the long trailing brancheswhich hung low, and swayed even in the gentle breeze. For a fewminutes, which seemed amazingly long, we saw no sign of him. Then,high up on one of the great branches which stood clear of obscuringleaves, we saw something crawling flat against the bark. He was wellout on the branch, hanging far over the precipice. He was lookingover at us, and I waved my hand so that he should know we saw him.He was clad in green--his usual forest dress--so that there was notany likelihood of any other eyes noticing him. I took off my hat,and held it ready to signal with when the time should come. Iglanced down at the glade and saw the Voivodin standing, still safe,with her guards so close to her as to touch. Then I, too, fixed myeyes on the wood.Suddenly the man standing beside me seized my arm and pointed. Icould just see through the trees, which were lower than elsewhere inthe front of the wood, a Turk moving stealthily; so I waved my hat.At the same time a rifle underneath me cracked. A second or twolater the spy pitched forward on his face and lay still. At the sameinstant my eyes sought the beech-tree, and I saw the close-lyingfigure raise itself and slide forward to a joint of the branch. Thenthe Gospodar, as he rose, hurled himself forward amid the mass of thetrailing branches. He dropped like a stone, and my heart sank.But an instant later he seemed in poise. He had clutched the thin,trailing branches as he fell; and as he sank a number of leaves whichhis motion had torn off floated out round him.Again the rifle below me cracked, and then again, and again, andagain. The marauders had taken warning, and were coming out in mass.But my own eyes were fixed on the tree. Almost as a thunderboltfalls fell the giant body of the Gospodar, his size lost in theimmensity of his surroundings. He fell in a series of jerks, as hekept clutching the trailing beech-branches whilst they lasted, andthen other lesser verdure growing out from the fissures in the rockafter the lengthening branches had with all their elasticity reachedtheir last point.At length--for though this all took place in a very few seconds thegravity of the crisis prolonged them immeasurably--there came a largespace of rock some three times his own length. He did not pause, butswung himself to one side, so that he should fall close to theVoivodin and her guards. These men did not seem to notice, for theirattention was fixed on the wood whence they expected their messengerto signal. But they raised their yataghans in readiness. The shotshad alarmed them; and they meant to do the murder now--messenger orno messengerBut though the men did not see the danger from above, the Voivodindid. She raised her eyes quickly at the first sound, and even fromwhere we were, before we began to run towards the ravine path, Icould see the triumphant look in her glorious eyes when sherecognized the identity of the man who was seemingly coming straightdown from Heaven itself to help her--as, indeed, she, and we too, canvery well imagine that he did; for if ever heaven had a hand in arescue on earth, it was now.Even during the last drop from the rocky foliage the Gospodar kepthis head. As he fell he pulled his handjar free, and almost as hewas falling its sweep took off the head of one of the assassins. Ashe touched ground he stumbled for an instant, but it was towards hisenemies. Twice with lightning rapidity the handjar swept the air,and at each sweep a head rolled on the sward.The Voivodin held up her tied hands. Again the handjar flashed, thistime downwards, and the lady was free. Without an instant's pausethe Gospodar tore off the gag, and with his left arm round her andhandjar in right hand, stood face toward his living foes. TheVoivodin stooped suddenly, and then, raising the yataghan which hadfallen from the hand of one of the dead marauders, stood armed besidehim.The rifles were now cracking fast, as the marauders--those that wereleft of them--came rushing out into the open. But well the marksmenknew their work. Well they bore in mind the Gospodar's commandregarding calmness. They kept picking off the foremost men only, sothat the onward rush never seemed to get more forward.As we rushed down the ravine we could see clearly all before us. Butnow, just as we were beginning to fear lest some mischance mightallow some of them to reach the glade, there was another cause ofsurprise--of rejoicing.From the face of the wood seemed to burst all at once a body of men,all wearing the national cap, so we knew them as our own. They wereall armed with the handjar only, and they came like tigers. Theyswept on the rushing Turks as though, for all their swiftness, theywere standing still--literally wiping them out as a child wipes alesson from its slate.A few seconds later these were followed by a tall figure with longhair and beard of black mingled with grey. Instinctively we all, asdid those in the valley, shouted with joy. For this was the VladikaMilosh Plamenac himself.I confess that, knowing what I knew, I was for a short space of timeanxious lest, in the terrific excitement in which we were all lapped,someone might say or do something which might make for trouble lateron. The Gospodar's splendid achievement, which was worthy of anyhero of old romance, had set us all on fire. He himself must havebeen wrought to a high pitch of excitement to dare such an act; andit is not at such a time that discretion must be expected from anyman. Most of all did I fear danger from the womanhood of theVoivodin. Had I not assisted at her marriage, I might not haveunderstood then what it must have been to her to be saved from such adoom at such a time by such a man, who was so much to her, and insuch a way. It would have been only natural if at such a moment ofgratitude and triumph she had proclaimed the secret which we of theCouncil of the Nation and her father's Commissioners had soreligiously kept. But none of us knew then either the Voivodin orthe Gospodar Rupert as we do now. It was well that they were as theyare, for the jealousy and suspicion of our mountaineers might, evenat such a moment, and even whilst they throbbed at such a deed, haveso manifested themselves as to have left a legacy of distrust. TheVladika and I, who of all (save the two immediately concerned) aloneknew, looked at each other apprehensively. But at that instant theVoivodin, with a swift glance at her husband, laid a finger on herlip; and he, with quick understanding, gave assurance by a similarsign. Then she sank before him on one knee, and, raising his hand toher lips, kissed it, and spoke:"Gospodar Rupert, I owe you all that a woman may owe, except to God.You have given me life and honour! I cannot thank you adequately forwhat you have done; my father will try to do so when he returns. ButI am right sure that the men of the Blue Mountains, who so valuehonour, and freedom, and liberty, and bravery, will hold you in theirhearts for ever!"This was so sweetly spoken, with lips that trembled and eyes thatswam in tears, so truly womanly and so in accord with the custom ofour nation regarding the reverence that women owe to men, that thehearts of our mountaineers were touched to the quick. Their noblesimplicity found expression in tears. But if the gallant Gospodarcould have for a moment thought that so to weep was unmanly, hiserror would have had instant correction. When the Voivodin had risento her feet, which she did with queenly dignity, the men aroundclosed in on the Gospodar like a wave of the sea, and in a secondheld him above their heads, tossing on their lifted hands as if onstormy breakers. It was as though the old Vikings of whom we haveheard, and whose blood flows in Rupert's veins, were choosing a chiefin old fashion. I was myself glad that the men were so taken up withthe Gospodar that they did not see the glory of the moment in theVoivodin's starry eyes; for else they might have guessed the secret.I knew from the Vladika's look that he shared my own satisfaction,even as he had shared my anxiety.As the Gospodar Rupert was tossed high on the lifted hands of themountaineers, their shouts rose to such a sudden volume that aroundus, as far as I could see, the frightened birds rose from the forest,and their noisy alarm swelled the tumult.The Gospodar, ever thoughtful for others, was the first to calmhimself."Come, brothers," he said, "let us gain the hilltop, where we cansignal to the Castle. It is right that the whole nation should sharein the glad tidings that the Voivodin Teuta of Vissarion is free.But before we go, let us remove the arms and clothing of thesecarrion marauders. We may have use for them later on."The mountaineers set him down, gently enough. And he, taking theVoivodin by the hand, and calling the Vladika and myself close tothem, led the way up the ravine path which the marauders haddescended, and thence through the forest to the top of the hill thatdominated the valley. Here we could, from an opening amongst thetrees, catch a glimpse far off of the battlements of Vissarion.Forthwith the Gospodar signalled; and on the moment a reply of theirawaiting was given. Then the Gospodar signalled the glad news. Itwas received with manifest rejoicing. We could not hear any sound sofar away, but we could see the movement of lifted faces and wavinghands, and knew that it was well. But an instant after came a calmso dread that we knew before the semaphore had begun to work thatthere was bad news in store for us. When the news did come, a bitterwailing arose amongst us; for the news that was signalled ran:"The Voivode has been captured by the Turks on his return, and isheld by them at Ilsin."In an instant the temper of the mountaineers changed. It was asthough by a flash summer had changed to winter, as though the yellowglory of the standing corn had been obliterated by the dreary wasteof snow. Nay, more: it was as when one beholds the track of thewhirlwind when the giants of the forest are levelled with the sward.For a few seconds there was silence; and then, with an angry roar, aswhen God speaks in the thunder, came the fierce determination of themen of the Blue Mountains:"To Ilsin! To Ilsin!" and a stampede in the direction of the southbegan. For, Illustrious Lady, you, perhaps, who have been for soshort a time at Vissarion, may not know that at the extreme southernpoint of the Land of the Blue Mountains lies the little port ofIlsin, which long ago we wrested from the Turk.The stampede was checked by the command, "Halt!" spoken in athunderous voice by the Gospodar. Instinctively all stopped. TheGospodar Rupert spoke again:"Had we not better know a little more before we start on our journey?I shall get by semaphore what details are known. Do you all proceedin silence and as swiftly as possible. The Vladika and I will waithere till we have received the news and have sent some instructions,when we shall follow, and, if we can, overtake you. One thing: beabsolutely silent on what has been. Be secret of every detail--evenas to the rescue of the Voivodin--except what I send."Without a word--thus showing immeasurable trust--the whole body--nota very large one, it is true--moved on, and the Gospodar begansignalling. As I was myself expert in the code, I did not requireany explanation, but followed question and answer on either side.The first words the Gospodar Rupert signalled were:"Silence, absolute and profound, as to everything which has been."Then he asked for details of the capture of the Voivode. The answerran:"He was followed from Flushing, and his enemies advised by the spiesall along the route. At Ragusa quite a number ofstrangers--travellers seemingly--went on board the packet. When hegot out, the strangers debarked too, and evidently followed him,though, as yet, we have no details. He disappeared at Ilsin from theHotel Reo, whither he had gone. All possible steps are being takento trace his movements, and strictest silence and secrecy areobserved."His answer was:"Good! Keep silent and secret. Am hurrying back. Signal request toArchbishop and all members of National Council to come to Gadaar withall speed. There the yacht will meet him. Tell Rooke take yacht allspeed to Gadaar; there meet Archbishop and Council--give him list ofnames--and return full speed. Have ready plenty arms, six flyingartillery. Two hundred men, provisions three days. Silence,silence. All depends on that. All to go on as usual at Castle,except to those in secret."When the receipt of his message had been signalled, we three--for, ofcourse, the Voivodin was with us; she had refused to leave theGospodar--set out hot-foot after our comrades. But by the time wehad descended the hill it was evident that the Voivodin could notkeep up the terrific pace at which we were going. She struggledheroically, but the long journey she had already taken, and thehardship and anxiety she had suffered, had told on her. The Gospodarstopped, and said that it would be better that he should press on--itwas, perhaps, her father's life--and said he would carry her."No, no!" she answered. "Go on! I shall follow with the Vladika.And then you can have things ready to get on soon after theArchbishop and Council arrive." They kissed each other after, on herpart, a shy glance at me; and he went on the track of our comrades ata great pace. I could see him shortly after catch them up,--thoughthey, too, were going fast. For a few minutes they ran together, hespeaking--I could note it from the way they kept turning their headstowards him. Then he broke away from them hurriedly. He went like astag breaking covert, and was soon out of sight. They halted amoment or two. Then some few ran on, and all the rest came backtowards us. Quickly they improvised a litter with cords andbranches, and insisted that the Voivodin should use it. In anincredibly short time we were under way again, and proceeding withgreat rapidity towards Vissarion. The men took it in turns to helpwith the litter; I had the honour of taking a hand in the workmyself.About a third of the way out from Vissarion a number of our peoplemet us. They were fresh, and as they carried the litter, we who wererelieved were free for speed. So we soon arrived at the Castle.Here we found all humming like a hive of bees. The yacht, whichCaptain Rooke had kept fired ever since the pursuing party under theGospodar had left Vissarion, was already away, and tearing up thecoast at a fearful rate. The rifles and ammunition were stacked onthe quay. The field-guns, too, were equipped, and the cases ofammunition ready to ship. The men, two hundred of them, were paradedin full kit, ready to start at a moment's notice. The provision forthree days was all ready to put aboard, and barrels of fresh water totrundle aboard when the yacht should return. At one end of the quay,ready to lift on board, stood also the Gospodar's aeroplane, fullyequipped, and ready, if need were, for immediate flight.I was glad to see that the Voivodin seemed none the worse for herterrible experience. She still wore her shroud; but no one seemed tonotice it as anything strange. The whisper had evidently gone roundof what had been. But discretion ruled the day. She and theGospodar met as two who had served and suffered in common; but I wasglad to notice that both kept themselves under such control that noneof those not already in the secret even suspected that there was anylove between them, let alone marriage.We all waited with what patience we could till word was signalledfrom the Castle tower that the yacht had appeared over the northernhorizon, and was coming down fast, keeping inshore as she came.When she arrived, we heard to our joy that all concerned had donetheir work well. The Archbishop was aboard, and of the NationalCouncil not one was missing. The Gospodar hurried them all into thegreat hall of the Castle, which had in the meantime been got ready.I, too, went with him, but the Voivodin remained without.When all were seated, he rose and said:"My Lord Archbishop, Vladika, and Lords of the Council all, I havedared to summon you in this way because time presses, and the life ofone you all love--the Voivode Vissarion--is at stake. This audaciousattempt of the Turk is the old aggression under a new form. It is anew and more daring step than ever to try to capture your chief andhis daughter, the Voivodin, whom you love. Happily, the latter partof the scheme is frustrated. The Voivodin is safe and amongst us.But the Voivode is held prisoner--if, indeed, he be still alive. Hemust be somewhere near Ilsin--but where exactly we know not as yet.We have an expedition ready to start the moment we receive yoursanction--your commands. We shall obey your wishes with our lives.But as the matter is instant, I would venture to ask one question,and one only: 'Shall we rescue the Voivode at any cost that maypresent itself?' I ask this, for the matter has now become aninternational one, and, if our enemies are as earnest as we are, theissue is war!"Having so spoken, and with a dignity and force which isinexpressible, he withdrew; and the Council, having appointed ascribe--the monk Cristoferos, whom I had suggested--began its work.The Archbishop spoke:"Lords of the Council of the Blue Mountains, I venture to ask youthat the answer to the Gospodar Rupert be an instant 'Yes!' togetherwith thanks and honour to that gallant Englisher, who has made ourcause his own, and who has so valiantly rescued our beloved Voivodinfrom the ruthless hands of our enemies." Forthwith the oldest memberof the Council--Nicolos of Volok--rose, and, after throwing asearching look round the faces of all, and seeing grave nods ofassent--for not a word was spoken--said to him who held the door:"Summon the Gospodar Rupert forthwith!" When Rupert entered, hespoke to him:"Gospodar Rupert, the Council of the Blue Mountains has only oneanswer to give: Proceed! Rescue the Voivode Vissarion, whatever thecost may be! You hold henceforth in your hand the handjar of ournation, as already, for what you have done in your valiant rescue ofour beloved Voivodin, your breast holds the heart of our people.Proceed at once! We give you, I fear, little time; but we know thatsuch is your own wish. Later, we shall issue formal authorization,so that if war may ensue, our allies may understand that you haveacted for the nation, and also such letters credential as may berequired by you in this exceptional service. These shall follow youwithin an hour. For our enemies we take no account. See, we drawthe handjar that we offer you." As one man all in the hall drewtheir handjars, which flashed as a blaze of lightning.There did not seem to be an instant's delay. The Council broke up,and its members, mingling with the people without, took active partin the preparations. Not many minutes had elapsed when the yacht,manned and armed and stored as arranged, was rushing out of thecreek. On the bridge, beside Captain Rooke, stood the GospodarRupert and the still-shrouded form of the Voivodin Teuta. I myselfwas on the lower deck with the soldiers, explaining to certain ofthem the special duties which they might be called on to fulfil. Iheld the list which the Gospodar Rupert had prepared whilst we werewaiting for the yacht to arrive from Gadaar.PETROF VLASTIMIR.FROM RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued.July 9, 1907.We went at a terrific pace down the coast, keeping well inshore so as toavoid, if possible, being seen from the south. Just north of Ilsin arocky headland juts out, and that was our cover. On the north of thepeninsula is a small land-locked bay, with deep water. It is largeenough to take the yacht, though a much larger vessel could not safelyenter. We ran in, and anchored close to the shore, which has a rockyfrontage--a natural shelf of rock, which is practically the same as aquay. Here we met the men who had come from Ilsin and the neighbourhoodin answer to our signalling earlier in the day. They gave us the latestinformation regarding the kidnapping of the Voivode, and informed us thatevery man in that section of the country was simply aflame about it.They assured us that we could rely on them, not merely to fight to thedeath, but to keep silence absolutely. Whilst the seamen, under thedirection of Rooke, took the aeroplane on shore and found a suitableplace for it, where it was hidden from casual view, but from which itcould be easily launched, the Vladika and I--and, of course, mywife--were hearing such details as were known of the disappearance of herfather.It seems that he travelled secretly in order to avoid just such apossibility as has happened. No one knew of his coming till he came toFiume, whence he sent a guarded message to the Archbishop, which thelatter alone would understand. But this Turkish agents were evidently onhis track all the time, and doubtless the Bureau of Spies was kept welladvised. He landed at Ilsin from a coasting steamer from Ragusa to theLevant.For two days before his coming there had been quite an unusual number ofarrivals at the little port, at which arrivals are rare. And it turnedout that the little hotel--the only fairly good one in Ilsin--was almostfilled up. Indeed, only one room was left, which the Voivode took forthe night. The innkeeper did not know the Voivode in his disguise, butsuspected who it was from the description. He dined quietly, and went tobed. His room was at the back, on the ground-floor, looking out on thebank of the little River Silva, which here runs into the harbour. Nodisturbance was heard in the night. Late in the morning, when theelderly stranger had not made his appearance, inquiry was made at hisdoor. He did not answer, so presently the landlord forced the door, andfound the room empty. His luggage was seemingly intact, only the clotheswhich he had worn were gone. A strange thing was that, though the bedhad been slept in and his clothes were gone, his night-clothes were notto be found, from which it was argued by the local authorities, when theycame to make inquiry, that he had gone or been taken from the room in hisnight-gear, and that his clothes had been taken with him. There wasevidently some grim suspicion on the part of the authorities, for theyhad commanded absolute silence on all in the house. When they came tomake inquiry as to the other guests, it was found that one and all hadgone in the course of the morning, after paying their bills. None ofthem had any heavy luggage, and there was nothing remaining by which theymight be traced or which would afford any clue to their identity. Theauthorities, having sent a confidential report to the seat of government,continued their inquiries, and even now all available hands were at workon the investigation. When I had signalled to Vissarion, before myarrival there, word had been sent through the priesthood to enlist in theinvestigation the services of all good men, so that every foot of groundin that section of the Blue Mountains was being investigated. Theport-master was assured by his watchmen that no vessel, large or small,had heft the harbour during the night. The inference, therefore, wasthat the Voivode's captors had made inland with him--if, indeed, theywere not already secreted in or near the town.Whilst we were receiving the various reports, a hurried message came thatit was now believed that the whole party were in the Silent Tower. Thiswas a well-chosen place for such an enterprise. It was a massive towerof immense strength, built as a memorial--and also as a "keep"--after oneof the massacres of the invading Turks.It stood on the summit of a rocky knoll some ten miles inland from thePort of Ilsin. It was a place shunned as a rule, and the country allaround it was so arid and desolate that there were no residents near it.As it was kept for state use, and might be serviceable in time of war, itwas closed with massive iron doors, which were kept locked except uponcertain occasions. The keys were at the seat of government at Plazac.If, therefore, it had been possible to the Turkish marauders to gainentrance and exit, it might be a difficult as well as a dangerous task totry to cut the Voivode out. His presence with them was a dangerousmenace to any force attacking them, for they would hold his life as athreat.I consulted with the Vladika at once as to what was best to be done. Andwe decided that, though we should put a cordon of guards around it at asafe distance to prevent them receiving warning, we should at presentmake no attack.We made further inquiry as to whether there had been any vessel seen inthe neighbourhood during the past few days, and were informed that onceor twice a warship had been seen on the near side of the southernhorizon. This was evidently the ship which Rooke had seen on his rushdown the coast after the abduction of the Voivodin, and which he hadidentified as a Turkish vessel. The glimpses of her which had been hadwere all in full daylight--there was no proof that she had not stolen upduring the night-time without lights. But the Vladika and I weresatisfied that the Turkish vessel was watching--was in league with bothparties of marauders--and was intended to take off any of the strangers,or their prey, who might reach Ilsin undetected. It was evidently withthis view that the kidnappers of Teuta had, in the first instance, madewith all speed for the south. It was only when disappointed there thatthey headed up north, seeking in desperation for some chance of crossingthe border. That ring of steel had so far well served its purpose.I sent for Rooke, and put the matter before him. He had thought it outfor himself to the same end as we had. His deduction was:"Let us keep the cordon, and watch for any signal from the Silent Tower.The Turks will tire before we shall. I undertake to watch the Turkishwarship. During the night I shall run down south, without lights, andhave a look at her, even if I have to wait till the grey of the dawn todo so. She may see us; but if she does I shall crawl away at such pacethat she shall not get any idea of our speed. She will certainly comenearer before a day is over, for be sure the bureau of spies is keptadvised, and they know that when the country is awake each day increasesthe hazard of them and their plans being discovered. From their cautionI gather that they do not court discovery; and from that that they do notwish for an open declaration of war. If this be so, why should we notcome out to them and force an issue if need be?"When Teuta and I got a chance to be alone, we discussed the situation inevery phase. The poor girl was in a dreadful state of anxiety regardingher father's safety. At first she was hardly able to speak, or even tothink, coherently. Her utterance was choked, and her reasoning palsiedwith indignation. But presently the fighting blood of her race restoredher faculties, and then her woman's quick wit was worth the reasoning ofa camp full of men. Seeing that she was all on fire with the subject, Isat still and waited, taking care not to interrupt her. For quite a longtime she sat still, whilst the coming night thickened. When she spoke,the whole plan of action, based on subtle thinking, had mapped itself outin her mind:"We must act quickly. Every hour increases the risk to my father." Hereher voice broke for an instant; but she recovered herself and went on:"If you go to the ship, I must not go with you. It would not do for meto be seen. The Captain doubtless knows of both attempts: that to carryme off as well as that against my father. As yet he is in ignorance ofwhat has happened. You and your party of brave, loyal men did their workso well that no news could go forth. So long, therefore, as the navalCaptain is ignorant, he must delay till the last. But if he saw me hewould know that that branch of the venture had miscarried. He wouldgather from our being here that we had news of my father's capture, andas he would know that the marauders would fail unless they were relievedby force, he would order the captive to be slain.""Yes, dear, to-morrow you had, perhaps, better see the Captain, butto-night we must try to rescue my father. Here I think I see a way. Youhave your aeroplane. Please take me with you into the Silent Tower.""Not for a world of chrysolite!" said I, horrified. She took my hand andheld it tight whilst she went on:"Dear, I know, I know! Be satisfied. But it is the only way. You can,I know, get there, and in the dark. But if you were to go in it, itwould give warning to the enemies, and besides, my father would notunderstand. Remember, he does not know you; he has never seen you, anddoes not, I suppose, even know as yet of your existence. But he wouldknow me at once, and in any dress. You can manage to lower me into theTower by a rope from the aeroplane. The Turks as yet do not know of ourpursuit, and doubtless rely, at all events in part, on the strength andsecurity of the Tower. Therefore their guard will be less active than itwould at first or later on. I shall post father in all details, and weshall be ready quickly. Now, dear, let us think out the scheme together.Let your man's wit and experience help my ignorance, and we shall save myfather!"How could I have resisted such pleading--even had it not seemed wise?But wise it was; and I, who knew what the aeroplane could do under my ownguidance, saw at once the practicalities of the scheme. Of course therewas a dreadful risk in case anything should go wrong. But we are atpresent living in a world of risks--and her father's life was at stake.So I took my dear wife in my arms, and told her that my mind was hers forthis, as my soul and body already were. And I cheered her by saying thatI thought it might be done.I sent for Rooke, and told him of the new adventure, and he quite agreedwith me in the wisdom of it. I then told him that he would have to goand interview the Captain of the Turkish warship in the morning, if I didnot turn up. "I am going to see the Vladika," I said. "He will lead ourown troops in the attack on the Silent Tower. But it will rest with youto deal with the warship. Ask the Captain to whom or what nation theship belongs. He is sure to refuse to tell. In such case mention to himthat if he flies no nation's flag, his vessel is a pirate ship, and thatyou, who are in command of the navy of the Blue Mountains, will deal withhim as a pirate is dealt with--no quarter, no mercy. He will temporize,and perhaps try a bluff; but when things get serious with him he willland a force, or try to, and may even prepare to shell the town. He willthreaten to, at any rate. In such case deal with him as you think best,or as near to it as you can." He answered:"I shall carry out your wishes with my life. It is a righteous task.Not that anything of that sort would ever stand in my way. If he attacksour nation, either as a Turk or a pirate, I shall wipe him out. We shallsee what our own little packet can do. Moreover, any of the marauderswho have entered the Blue Mountains, from sea or otherwise, shall neverget out by sea! I take it that we of my contingent shall cover theattacking party. It will be a sorry time for us all if that happenswithout our seeing you and the Voivodin; for in such case we shallunderstand the worst!" Iron as he was, the man trembled."That is so, Rooke," I said. "We are taking a desperate chance, we know.But the case is desperate! But we all have our duty to do, whateverhappens. Ours and yours is stern; but when we have done it, the resultwill be that life will be easier for others--for those that are left."Before he left, I asked him to send up to me three suits of the Mastermanbullet-proof clothes of which we had a supply on the yacht."Two are for the Voivodin and myself," I said; "the third is for theVoivode to put on. The Voivodin will take it with her when she descendsfrom the aeroplane into the Tower."Whilst any daylight was left I went out to survey the ground. My wifewanted to come with me, but I would not let her. "No," said I; "you willhave at the best a fearful tax on your strength and your nerves. Youwill want to be as fresh as is possible when you get on the aeroplane."Like a good wife, she obeyed, and lay down to rest in the little tentprovided for her.I took with me a local man who knew the ground, and who was trusted to besilent. We made a long detour when we had got as near the Silent Toweras we could without being noticed. I made notes from my compass as todirections, and took good notice of anything that could possibly serve asa landmark. By the time we got home I was pretty well satisfied that ifall should go well I could easily sail over the Tower in the dark. ThenI had a talk with my wife, and gave her full instructions:"When we arrive over the Tower," I said, "I shall lower you with a longrope. You will have a parcel of food and spirit for your father in casehe is fatigued or faint; and, of course, the bullet-proof suit, which hemust put on at once. You will also have a short rope with a belt ateither end--one for your father, the other for you. When I turn theaeroplane and come back again, you will have ready the ring which liesmidway between the belts. This you will catch into the hook at the endof the lowered rope. When all is secure, and I have pulled you both upby the windlass so as to clear the top, I shall throw out ballast whichwe shall carry on purpose, and away we go! I am sorry it must be souncomfortable for you both, but there is no other way. When we get wellclear of the Tower, I shall take you both up on the platform. Ifnecessary, I shall descend to do it--and then we shall steer for Ilsin.""When all is safe, our men will attack the Tower. We must let them doit, for they expect it. A few men in the clothes and arms which we tookfrom your captors will be pursued by some of ours. It is all arranged.They will ask the Turks to admit them, and if the latter have not learnedof your father's escape, perhaps they will do so. Once in, our men willtry to open the gate. The chances are against them, poor fellows! butthey are all volunteers, and will die fighting. If they win out, greatglory will be theirs.""The moon does not rise to-night till just before midnight, so we haveplenty of time. We shall start from here at ten. If all be well, Ishall place you in the Tower with your father in less than a quarter-hourfrom that. A few minutes will suffice to clothe him in bullet-proof andget on his belt. I shall not be away from the Tower more than a very fewminutes, and, please God, long before eleven we shall be safe. Then theTower can be won in an attack by our mountaineers. Perhaps, when theguns are heard on the ship of war--for there is sure to be firing--theCaptain may try to land a shore party. But Rooke will stand in the way,and if I know the man and The Lady, we shall not be troubled with manyTurks to-night. By midnight you and your father can be on the way toVissarion. I can interview the naval Captain in the morning."My wife's marvellous courage and self-possession stood to her. At halfan hour before the time fixed she was ready for our adventure. She hadimproved the scheme in one detail. She had put on her own belt andcoiled the rope round her waist, so the only delay would be in bringingher father's belt. She would keep the bullet-proof dress intended to behis strapped in a packet on her back, so that if occasion should befavourable he would not want to put it on till he and she should havereached the platform of the aeroplane. In such case, I should not steeraway from the Tower at all, but would pass slowly across it and take upthe captive and his brave daughter before leaving. I had learned fromlocal sources that the Tower was in several stories. Entrance was by thefoot, where the great iron-clad door was; then came living-rooms andstorage, and an open space at the top. This would probably be thoughtthe best place for the prisoner, for it was deep-sunk within the massivewalls, wherein was no loophole of any kind. This, if it should sohappen, would be the disposition of things best for our plan. The guardswould at this time be all inside the Tower--probably resting, most ofthem--so that it was possible that no one might notice the coming of theairship. I was afraid to think that all might turn out so well, for insuch case our task would be a simple enough one, and would in all humanprobability be crowned with success.At ten o'clock we started. Teuta did not show the smallest sign of fearor even uneasiness, though this was the first time she had even seen anaeroplane at work. She proved to be an admirable passenger for anairship. She stayed quite still, holding herself rigidly in the positionarranged, by the cords which I had fixed for her.When I had trued my course by the landmarks and with the compass lit bythe Tiny my electric light in the dark box, I had time to look about me.All seemed quite dark wherever I looked--to land, or sea, or sky. Butdarkness is relative, and though each quarter and spot looked dark inturn, there was not such absolute darkness as a whole. I could tell thedifference, for instance, between land and sea, no matter how far off wemight be from either. Looking upward, the sky was dark; yet there waslight enough to see, and even distinguish broad effects. I had nodifficulty in distinguishing the Tower towards which we were moving, andthat, after all, was the main thing. We drifted slowly, very slowly, asthe air was still, and I only used the minimum pressure necessary for theengine. I think I now understood for the first time the extraordinaryvalue of the engine with which my Kitson was equipped. It was noiseless,it was practically of no weight, and it allowed the machine to progressas easily as the old-fashioned balloon used to drift before a breeze.Teuta, who had naturally very fine sight, seemed to see even better thanI did, for as we drew nearer to the Tower, and its round, open top beganto articulate itself, she commenced to prepare for her part of the task.She it was who uncoiled the long drag-rope ready for her lowering. Wewere proceeding so gently that she as well as I had hopes that I might beable to actually balance the machine on the top of the curving wall--athing manifestly impossible on a straight surface, though it might havebeen possible on an angle.On we crept--on, and on! There was no sign of light about the Tower, andnot the faintest sound to be heard till we were almost close to the lineof the rising wall; then we heard a sound of something like mirth, butmuffled by distance and thick walls. From it we took fresh heart, for ittold us that our enemies were gathered in the lower chambers. If onlythe Voivode should be on the upper stage, all would be well.Slowly, almost inch by inch, and with a suspense that was agonizing, wecrossed some twenty or thirty feet above the top of the wall. I couldsee as we came near the jagged line of white patches where the heads ofthe massacred Turks placed there on spikes in old days seemed to givestill their grim warning. Seeing that they made in themselves adifficulty of landing on the wall, I deflected the plane so that, as wecrept over the wall, we might, if they became displaced, brush them tothe outside of the wall. A few seconds more, and I was able to bring themachine to rest with the front of the platform jutting out beyond theTower wall. Here I anchored her fore and aft with clamps which had beenalready prepared.Whilst I was doing so Teuta had leaned over the inner edge of theplatform, and whispered as softly as the sigh of a gentle breeze:"Hist! hist!" The answer came in a similar sound from some twenty feetbelow us, and we knew that the prisoner was alone. Forthwith, havingfixed the hook of the rope in the ring to which was attached her belt, Ilowered my wife. Her father evidently knew her whisper, and was ready.The hollow Tower--a smooth cylinder within--sent up the voices from itfaint as were the whispers:"Father, it is I--Teuta!""My child, my brave daughter!""Quick, father; strap the belt round you. See that it is secure. Wehave to be lifted into the air if necessary. Hold together. It will beeasier for Rupert to lift us to the airship.""Rupert?""Yes; I shall explain later. Quick, quick! There is not a moment tolose. He is enormously strong, and can lift us together; but we musthelp him by being still, so he won't have to use the windlass, whichmight creak." As she spoke she jerked slightly at the rope, which wasour preconcerted signal that I was to lift. I was afraid the windlassmight creak, and her thoughtful hint decided me. I bent my back to thetask, and in a few seconds they were on the platform on which they, atTeuta's suggestion, lay flat, one at each side of my seat, so as to keepthe best balance possible.I took off the clamps, lifted the bags of ballast to the top of the wall,so that there should be no sound of falling, and started the engine. Themachine moved forward a few inches, so that it tilted towards the outsideof the wall. I threw my weight on the front part of the platform, and wecommenced our downward fall at a sharp angle. A second enlarged theangle, and without further ado we slid away into the darkness. Then,ascending as we went, when the engine began to work at its strength, weturned, and presently made straight for Ilsin.The journey was short--not many minutes. It almost seemed as if no timewhatever had elapsed till we saw below us the gleam of lights, and bythem saw a great body of men gathered in military array. We slackenedand descended. The crowd kept deathly silence, but when we were amongstthem we needed no telling that it was not due to lack of heart or absenceof joy. The pressure of their hands as they surrounded us, and thedevotion with which they kissed the hands and feet of both the Voivodeand his daughter, were evidence enough for me, even had I not had my ownshare of their grateful rejoicing.In the midst of it all the low, stern voice of Rooke, who had burst a wayto the front beside the Vladika, said:"Now is the time to attack the Tower. Forward, brothers, but in silence.Let there not be a sound till you are near the gate; then play yourlittle comedy of the escaping marauders. And 'twill be no comedy forthem in the Tower. The yacht is all ready for the morning, Mr. SentLeger, in case I do not come out of the scrimmage if the bluejacketsarrive. In such case you will have to handle her yourself. God keepyou, my Lady; and you, too, Voivode! Forward!"In a ghostly silence the grim little army moved forwards. Rooke and themen with him disappeared into the darkness in the direction of theharbour of Ilsin.FROM THE SCRIPT OF THE VOIVODE, PETER VISSARION,July 7, 1907.I had little idea, when I started on my homeward journey, that it wouldhave such a strange termination. Even I, who ever since my boyhood havelived in a whirl of adventure, intrigue, or diplomacy--whichever it maybe called--statecraft, and war, had reason to be surprised. I certainlythought that when I locked myself into my room in the hotel at Ilsin thatI would have at last a spell, however short, of quiet. All the time ofmy prolonged negotiations with the various nationalities I had to be attension; so, too, on my homeward journey, lest something at the lastmoment should happen adversely to my mission. But when I was safe on myown Land of the Blue Mountains, and laid my head on my pillow, where onlyfriends could be around me, I thought I might forget care.But to wake with a rude hand over my mouth, and to feel myself graspedtight by so many hands that I could not move a limb, was a dreadfulshock. All after that was like a dreadful dream. I was rolled in agreat rug so tightly that I could hardly breathe, let alone cry out.Lifted by many hands through the window, which I could hear was softlyopened and shut for the purpose, and carried to a boat. Again liftedinto some sort of litter, on which I was borne a long distance, but withconsiderable rapidity. Again lifted out and dragged through a doorwayopened on purpose--I could hear the clang as it was shut behind me. Thenthe rug was removed, and I found myself, still in my night-gear, in themidst of a ring of men. There were two score of them, all Turks, allstrong-looking, resolute men, armed to the teeth. My clothes, which hadbeen taken from my room, were thrown down beside me, and I was told todress. As the Turks were going from the room--shaped like a vault--wherewe then were, the last of them, who seemed to be some sort of officer,said:"If you cry out or make any noise whatever whilst you are in this Tower,you shall die before your time!" Presently some food and water werebrought me, and a couple of blankets. I wrapped myself up and slept tillearly in the morning. Breakfast was brought, and the same men filed in.In the presence of them all the same officer said:"I have given instructions that if you make any noise or betray yourpresence to anyone outside this Tower, the nearest man is to restore youto immediate quiet with his yataghan. It you promise me that you willremain quiet whilst you are within the Tower, I can enlarge yourliberties somewhat. Do you promise?" I promised as he wished; there wasno need to make necessary any stricter measure of confinement. Anychance of escape lay in having the utmost freedom allowed to me.Although I had been taken away with such secrecy, I knew that before longthere would be pursuit. So I waited with what patience I could. I wasallowed to go on the upper platform--a consideration due, I am convinced,to my captors' wish for their own comfort rather than for mine.It was not very cheering, for during the daytime I had satisfied myselfthat it would be quite impossible for even a younger and more active manthan I am to climb the walls. They were built for prison purposes, and acat could not find entry for its claws between the stones. I resignedmyself to my fate as well as I could. Wrapping my blanket round me, Ilay down and looked up at the sky. I wished to see it whilst I could. Iwas just dropping to sleep--the unutterable silence of the place brokenonly now and again by some remark by my captors in the rooms belowme--when there was a strange appearance just over me--an appearance sostrange that I sat up, and gazed with distended eyes.Across the top of the tower, some height above, drifted, slowly andsilently, a great platform. Although the night was dark, it was so muchdarker where I was within the hollow of the Tower that I could actuallysee what was above me. I knew it was an aeroplane--one of which I hadseen in Washington. A man was seated in the centre, steering; and besidehim was a silent figure of a woman all wrapped in white. It made myheart beat to see her, for she was figured something like my Teuta, butbroader, less shapely. She leaned over, and a whispered "Ssh!" creptdown to me. I answered in similar way. Whereupon she rose, and the manlowered her down into the Tower. Then I saw that it was my dear daughterwho had come in this wonderful way to save me. With infinite haste shehelped me to fasten round my waist a belt attached to a rope, which wascoiled round her; and then the man, who was a giant in strength as wellas stature, raised us both to the platform of the aeroplane, which he setin motion without an instant's delay.Within a few seconds, and without any discovery being made of my escape,we were speeding towards the sea. The lights of Ilsin were in front ofus. Before reaching the town, however, we descended in the midst of alittle army of my own people, who were gathered ready to advance upon theSilent Tower, there to effect, if necessary, my rescue by force. Smallchance would there have been of my life in case of such a struggle.Happily, however, the devotion and courage of my dear daughter and of hergallant companion prevented such a necessity. It was strange to me tofind such joyous reception amongst my friends expressed in such awhispered silence. There was no time for comment or understanding or theasking of questions--I was fain to take things as they stood, and waitfor fuller explanation.This came later, when my daughter and I were able to converse alone.When the expedition went out against the Silent Tower, Teuta and I wentto her tent, and with us came her gigantic companion, who seemed notwearied, but almost overcome with sleep. When we came into the tent,over which at a little distance a cordon of our mountaineers stood onguard, he said to me:"May I ask you, sir, to pardon me for a time, and allow the Voivodin toexplain matters to you? She will, I know, so far assist me, for there isso much work still to be done before we are free of the present peril.For myself, I am almost overcome with sleep. For three nights I have hadno sleep, but all during that time much labour and more anxiety. I couldhold on longer; but at daybreak I must go out to the Turkish warship thatlies in the offing. She is a Turk, though she does not confess to it;and she it is who has brought hither the marauders who captured both yourdaughter and yourself. It is needful that I go, for I hold a personalauthority from the National Council to take whatever step may benecessary for our protection. And when I go I should be clear-headed,for war may rest on that meeting. I shall be in the adjoining tent, andshall come at once if I am summoned, in case you wish for me beforedawn." Here my daughter struck in:"Father, ask him to remain here. We shall not disturb him, I am sure, inour talking. And, moreover, if you knew how much I owe to him--to hisown bravery and his strength--you would understand how much safer I feelwhen he is close to me, though we are surrounded by an army of our bravemountaineers.""But, my daughter," I said, for I was as yet all in ignorance, "there areconfidences between father and daughter which none other may share. Someof what has been I know, but I want to know all, and it might be betterthat no stranger--however valiant he may be, or no matter in what measurewe are bound to him--should be present." To my astonishment, she who hadalways been amenable to my lightest wish actually argued with me:"Father, there are other confidences which have to be respected in likewise. Bear with me, dear, till I have told you all, and I am right surethat you will agree with me. I ask it, father."That settled the matter, and as I could see that the gallant gentlemanwho had rescued me was swaying on his feet as he waited respectfully, Isaid to him:"Rest with us, sir. We shall watch over your sleep."Then I had to help him, for almost on the instant he sank down, and I hadto guide him to the rugs spread on the ground. In a few seconds he wasin a deep sleep. As I stood looking at him, till I had realized that hevas really asleep, I could not help marvelling at the bounty of Naturethat could uphold even such a man as this to the last moment of work tobe done, and then allow so swift a collapse when all was over, and hecould rest peacefully.He was certainly a splendid fellow. I think I never saw so fine a manphysically in my life. And if the lesson of his physiognomy be true, heis as sterling inwardly as his external is fair. "Now," said I to Teuta,"we are to all intents quite alone. Tell me all that has been, so that Imay understand."Whereupon my daughter, making me sit down, knelt beside me, and told mefrom end to end the most marvellous story I had ever heard or read of.Something of it I had already known from the Archbishop Paleologue'slater letters, but of all else I was ignorant. Far away in the greatWest beyond the Atlantic, and again on the fringe of the Eastern seas, Ihad been thrilled to my heart's core by the heroic devotion and fortitudeof my daughter in yielding herself for her country's sake to that fearfulordeal of the Crypt; of the grief of the nation at her reported death,news of which was so mercifully and wisely withheld from me as long aspossible; of the supernatural rumours that took root so deep; but no wordor hint had come to me of a man who had come across the orbit of herlife, much less of all that has resulted from it. Neither had I known ofher being carried off, or of the thrice gallant rescue of her by Rupert.Little wonder that I thought so highly of him even at the first moment Ihad a clear view of him when he sank down to sleep before me. Why, theman must be a marvel. Even our mountaineers could not match suchendurance as his. In the course of her narrative my daughter told me ofhow, being wearied with her long waiting in the tomb, and waking to findherself alone when the floods were out, and even the Crypt submerged, shesought safety and warmth elsewhere; and how she came to the Castle in thenight, and found the strange man alone. I said: "That was dangerous,daughter, if not wrong. The man, brave and devoted as he is, must answerme--your father." At that she was greatly upset, and before going onwith her narrative, drew me close in her arms, and whispered to me:"Be gentle to me, father, for I have had much to bear. And be good tohim, for he holds my heart in his breast!" I reassured her with a gentlepressure--there was no need to speak. She then went on to tell me abouther marriage, and how her husband, who had fallen into the belief thatshe was a Vampire, had determined to give even his soul for her; and howshe had on the night of the marriage left him and gone back to the tombto play to the end the grim comedy which she had undertaken to performtill my return; and how, on the second night after her marriage, as shewas in the garden of the Castle--going, as she shyly told me, to see ifall was well with her husband--she was seized secretly, muffled up,bound, and carried off. Here she made a pause and a digression.Evidently some fear lest her husband and myself should quarrel assailedher, for she said:"Do understand, father, that Rupert's marriage to me was in all waysregular, and quite in accord with our customs. Before we were married Itold the Archbishop of my wish. He, as your representative during yourabsence, consented himself, and brought the matter to the notice of theVladika and the Archimandrites. All these concurred, having exacted fromme--very properly, I think--a sacred promise to adhere to myself-appointed task. The marriage itself was orthodox in allways--though so far unusual that it was held at night, and in darkness,save for the lights appointed by the ritual. As to that, the Archbishophimself, or the Archimandrite of Spazac, who assisted him, or theVladika, who acted as Paranymph, will, all or any of them, give you fulldetails. Your representative made all inquiries as to Rupert Sent Leger,who lived in Vissarion, though he did not know who I was, or from hispoint of view who I had been. But I must tell you of my rescue."And so she went on to tell me of that unavailing journey south by hercaptors; of their bafflement by the cordon which Rupert had establishedat the first word of danger to "the daughter of our leader," though helittle knew who the "leader" was, or who was his "daughter"; of how thebrutal marauders tortured her to speed with their daggers; and how herwounds left blood-marks on the ground as she passed along; then of thehalt in the valley, when the marauders came to know that their road northwas menaced, if not already blocked; of the choosing of the murderers,and their keeping ward over her whilst their companions went to surveythe situation; and of her gallant rescue by that noble fellow, herhusband--my son I shall call him henceforth, and thank God that I mayhave that happiness and that honour!Then my daughter went on to tell me of the race back to Vissarion, whenRupert went ahead of all--as a leader should do; of the summoning of theArchbishop and the National Council; and of their placing the nation'shandjar in Rupert's hand; of the journey to Ilsin, and the flight of mydaughter--and my son--on the aeroplane.The rest I knew.As she finished, the sleeping man stirred and woke--broad awake in asecond--sure sign of a man accustomed to campaign and adventure. At aglance he recalled everything that had been, and sprang to his feet. Hestood respectfully before me for a few seconds before speaking. Then hesaid, with an open, engaging smile:"I see, sir, you know all. Am I forgiven--for Teuta's sake as well as myown?" By this time I was also on my feet. A man like that walksstraight into my heart. My daughter, too, had risen, and stood by myside. I put out my hand and grasped his, which seemed to leap to meetme--as only the hand of a swordsman can do."I am glad you are my son!" I said. It was all I could say, and I meantit and all it implied. We shook hands warmly. Teuta was pleased; shekissed me, and then stood holding my arm with one hand, whilst she linkedher other hand in the arm of her husband.He summoned one of the sentries without, and told him to ask CaptainRooke to come to him. The latter had been ready for a call, and came atonce. When through the open flap of the tent we saw him coming,Rupert--as I must call him now, because Teuta wishes it; and I like to doit myself--said:"I must be off to board the Turkish vessel before it comes inshore.Good-bye, sir, in case we do not meet again." He said the last few wordsin so low a voice that I only could hear them. Then he kissed his wife,and told her he expected to be back in time for breakfast, and was gone.He met Rooke--I am hardly accustomed to call him Captain as yet, though,indeed, he well deserves it--at the edge of the cordon of sentries, andthey went quickly together towards the port, where the yacht was lyingwith steam up.