"You must not!—they will kill you, dear!" she moaned in agony.
"Nonsense, child, the boys have only a little surprise for us."
Their feet were already echoing in the corridor and their voices could be heard in whispers and low laughter.
"Hide! please, for the love of God!" she gasped. With sudden fierce strength she pressed him into the shadows and stood panting before him, while the silent ghost-like figures ranged themselves solemnly around the room.
"Stella, my dear, you must not suffer like this—there is no danger, these are all my men."
"Your men!—your men!" she cried, bewildered.
"Yes, I brought them here to-night in full costume to make a little play complete for the fancy of a queen!"
"My darling," she sobbed, sinking in his arms.
"We unexpectedly met some ugly customers from the hills we had seen once before. A little pitched battle delayed us thirty minutes, but none of our boys were hurt."
"Kiss me!" she whispered.
A distant whistle rang through the woods and the picket outside answered.
"What's that?" Stella gasped.
"He blew the signal, 'message for the Chief';
