"Our chance is a poor one if it comes to fighting," said Stefan.
"We will try strategy first," Ellerey said. "Let us ride easily."
"What happened?" queried Stefan.
"The box did not contain the right token, and they attacked us without a word of warning."
"What of the others?"
"Heaven knows. They hardly seemed to strike a blow after we were surrounded. It was Grigosie who thought of the way across the hills, and we"ve had to run for it like hunted rabbits, eh, lad?"
Grigosie smiled faintly, but did not speak. He was still panting after his tremendous exertion. Anton had stretched out a hand to support him in his saddle as they galloped.
"They are dead then, those others?" said Stefan.
"I fear so."
"And we"ve been deceived, sent into a trap like a lot of rats. There"s a reckoning to be paid."
"Time enough to think of that, Stefan. Let us secure the castle first,"
said Ellerey.
"I"m fearing the reckoning must be left for others to pay," growled the soldier. "It"s putting our trust in a woman that"s been the curse of us."
No one contradicted him, and they rode on in silence until the castle came in view. It looked gaunt enough, as silent and deserted as when they had first seen it. There was no movement on the plateau, no sign that any living creature except themselves was near it.
"Look!" exclaimed Stefan suddenly.
He pointed to the hillside on which the lights had shone mysteriously last night. Here and there were moving figures descending the slopes.
Whether they had caught sight of the riders and jumped to the conclusion that something was wrong, or whether they had learnt of the escape from signals across the hills, it was impossible to say. At any rate they were descending rapidly, and there was no time to lose.
"Once in the zig-zag path the odds will be more evenly balanced," said Ellerey. "Forward! Gallop!"
"It seems to me they are making for a point beyond the castle," said Stefan. "They are expecting us to ride out of the pa.s.s."
"So fortune favors us," said Ellerey. "Rein up altogether at the entrance to the path, dismount, and up to the plateau quickly."
Even as they stopped with exact precision, a loud challenge came from the opposite hill, and, no answer being given, several shots whistled across the pa.s.s and struck close to the entrance of the zig-zag way.
"Up with you quickly!" shouted Ellerey, who brought up the rear. "There is little harm in such firing, and they will think twice before they follow us."
"Careful in front, lad," Stefan called out to Grigosie, who led the way. "Keep sharp eyes, the plateau may be occupied."
The boy nodded, but he had been looking out keenly before the soldier"s warning, leading his horse in such a manner as to cover himself as much as possible. The precaution proved unnecessary; the castle was empty. Stefan was right. The brigands had not expected the fugitives to make for their old resting place, and when they saw them go up the path they shouted as though victory were already won, nor did they attempt to follow them. Why should they? Their foes were caught surely as birds netted by the fowler.
"See to the horses, Grigosie," said Ellerey. "Put them as far back in the ruins as possible. Now, Stefan, Anton, we"ll heap stones across this broken gateway at the head of the path. It shall be our first line of defence, and if it is taken we will see to it that it is dearly bought."
"It is not the fighting that frightens me, it"s the empty condition of the larder," said Stefan.
"Truly we are pariahs on G.o.d"s earth," Ellerey answered. "Every man"s hand against us, but we"ll snarl and bite awhile in our stronghold, and then make a dash out and die in the open."
They toiled with a will all through the afternoon, heaping fragments which had fallen from the ruins across the gateway, and driving in stakes, rudely fashioned from any planks they could find, behind the stonework to strengthen it. Grigosie, by Ellerey"s orders, did not a.s.sist in this work, but stood sentinel upon the plateau. The boy had had as much as he could stand for one day.
It was growing dusk in the pa.s.s below when they had finished. Daylight was still upon the summit of the mountains, but twilight had gathered in the deep valleys and ravines. The brigands still hung about the pa.s.s, watching the castle, but keeping out of range. It did not appear that they had any intention of attacking it. As they stood together looking down upon their enemies, Ellerey told Stefan what had happened and the details of their escape.
"Surely those are our fellows, Captain." But there was no tone of pleasure at the escape of his comrades; no note of welcome in the soldier"s voice.
"This looks like desertion," said Ellerey.
One of the soldiers below called out in a stentorian voice which carried clearly in the quiet air.
"Ho there, Stefan!"
"Well, comrade?"
"We"re betrayed by that devilish Englishman. Is he there with you?"
"The Captain is here. What of him?"
"Throw him down to us along with the boy," was the answer shouted back.
"He"s tricked us all, and that imp of Satan has helped him. The token he carried was not from her Majesty. He"s a conspirator against the King, and carried the golden cross. You know what that means. Throw him down."
"It were easier for you to show your courage and come and fetch him."
"Our good friends here will do that. We have other work in hand. We ride back to Sturatzberg to tell our story, and heaven help you if you are alive when we return. There"ll be little mercy for the companions of that devilish Englishman. Will you come with us?"
"I"m too old to run away," shouted Stefan, "and the company of cowards is not to my liking. May they cut your throats on the plain yonder and ask for your story afterward."
The brigands yelled with rage, and the soldiers shouted back coa.r.s.e oaths.
"It would do my soul good to have a shot at them," said Stefan.
"Let them go," said Ellerey. "We shall want every shot we have. We are not without friends in the capital who may hear of our need. Against their will these fellows may help us."
The soldiers below moved on. It was evident that here they were to part with the brigands.
"Hold them fast for punishment," cried the same stentorian voice. "We shall return with the true message. Down with all lovers of the golden cross! Death to them who serve Maritza! Down with Maritza!"
"What is that they shout?" said Ellerey.
The answer came loudly, borne upward on the air, as the soldiers put their horses into a canter and rode down the pa.s.s.
"Death to the Princess Maritza!"
"You hear, Captain. Some one has fooled us all."
"Princess Maritza!" Ellerey exclaimed. "What has she to do with us?"