"How you trust me, Gabrielle," said Gerard.
"We must not speak save in whispers; and there is much to do and to tell you." As she spoke she slipped off the cloak and disclosed a somewhat bulky roll fastened cunningly about her. Then she took a knife from a sheath, and with it cut the bonds which bound Gerard's arms and legs.
He tried to rise, but fell back helpless.
"You are ill!" she cried in quick alarm; and glancing at the torture implements, which showed gaunt and gruesome in the slanting rays of the moonlight, she caught her breath and added—"They have not dared"
"No, no. It is but the rush of blood through my numbed veins. It will pass in a moment."
She sighed in relief and then cut loose the roll.
"A ladder of fine silk rope that will reach to the courtyard below," she exclaimed, as she laid it on the pallet, while Gerard was chafing his arms and legs. He glanced at the window bars. "They can be moved," she added, catching the look; and gave him rapidly a description of the place.
"Another devil's trick, indeed," he muttered, with a frown; and watched her while she sought for the spring to release the bars. Before she found it he had regained the use of legs and arms, and went to her help.
"I have it," she said at length, and pressed upon it with all her strength while he tugged at the bars. Success soon crowned their efforts, and then a place was found where the grappling hooks of the ladder could be fastened.
"Now the way is clear," said Gerard.
"Not yet. There is a guard below. But we have done our part so far. Your friend, whom you call Pascal, will be here soon—should be here now indeed, to surprise the man and clear the path for you below. He will come in by the breach made for the repair of the walls, and he
