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Page 108
"It's good of you, Weber," he said, "to take such a risk for me, but why
is it so urgent that I escape tonight?"
"I've learned since I came to the ch�teau that the Prince of Auersperg
is much inflamed against you. Perhaps you spoke to him in a way that
gave offense to his dignity. Ah, sir, the members of these ancient royal
houses, those of the old type, consider themselves above and beyond the
other people of the earth. In Germany you cannot offend them without
risk, and it may be, too, that you stand in his way in regard to
something that he very much desires!"
Although Weber spoke in a whisper his voice was full of energy and
earnestness. His words sank with the weight of truth into John's heart.
"Can you really help me to escape?" he asked.
"I think so. I'm sure of it. The guards in the house are relaxed at this
late hour, and they would seem needless anyhow with so many sentinels
outside."
"But, Weber, Julie Lannes, the sister of Philip Lannes, is here a
prisoner also. She was taken when I was. She is a Red Cross nurse, and
although the Germans would not harm a woman, I do not like to leave her
in this ch�teau. Your Prince of Auersperg does not seem to belong to our
later age."
"Perhaps not. He holds strongly for the old order, but the young von
Arnheim is here also. His is a devoted German heart, but his German eyes
have looked with admiration, nay more, upon a French face. He will
protect that beautiful young Mademoiselle Julie with his life against
anybody, against his senior in military rank, the Prince of Auersperg
himself. Sir, you must come! If you wish to help Philip Lannes' sister
you can be of more help to her living than dead. If you linger here you
surely disappear from men tomorrow!"
"How do you know these things, Weber?"
"I have been in the house three or four hours and there is talk among
the soldiers. I pray you, don't hesitate longer!"
"How can you find a way?"
"Wait a minute."
He slipped back to the door, opened it and looked into the hall.
"The path is clear," he said, when he returned. "There is no sentinel
near your door, and I've found a way leading out of the ch�teau at the
back. Most of these old houses have crooked, disused passages."
"But suppose we succeed in reaching the outside, Weber, what then? The
place is surrounded by an army."
"A way is there, too. One man in the darkness can pass through a
multitude. We can't delay, because another chance may not come!"
John was overborne. Weber was half pulling him toward the door.
Moreover, there was much sense in what the Alsatian said. It was a
commonplace that he could be of more service to Julie alive than dead,
and the man's insistence deciding him, he crept with the Alsatian into
the hall. They stood a few minutes in the dark, listening, but no sound
came. Evidently the house slept well.
"This way, Mr. Scott," whispered Weber, and he led toward the rear of
the house. Turning the corner of the hall he opened a small door in the
wall, which John would have passed even in the daylight without
noticing.
"Put a hand on my coat and follow me," said Weber.
John obeyed without hesitation, and they ascended a half dozen steps
along a passage so narrow that his shoulders touched the walls. It was
very dark there, but at the top they entered a room into which some
moonlight came, enough for John to see barrels, boxes and bags heaped on
the floor.
"A storeroom," said Weber. "The French are thrifty. The owner of this
house had splendor below, and he has kept provision for it above, almost
concealed by the narrowness of the door and stair. But we'll find a
broader stair on the other side, and then we'll descend through the
kitchen and beyond."
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