"But I'll come to see you in New York, if you'll let me," I cried, trying to repair the damage I had done. "I was jesting when I spoke of jail." Her brow was puckered in thought. "It has just occurred to me, my dear friend, that even if I do get safely away, you will be left here to face the consequences. When it becomes known that you sheltered me, the authorities may make it extremely uncomfortable for you." "I'm not worrying about that." "Just the same, it is something to worry about," she said, seriously. "Now, here is what I have had in mind for a long, long time. Why don't you come with me when I leave? That will be the safest plan." "You are not in earnest!" "Assuredly. The plan is something like this: I am to be taken by slow stages, overland, to a small Mediterranean port. One of a half-dozen American yachts now cruising the sea will be ready to pick me up. Doesn't it seem simple?" "It seems simple enough," said I. "But there are a lot of 'ifs' between here and the little port you hope to reach. It will not be an easy matter to manage the successful flight of a party as large as yours will be." "Oh," she cried, "I shall be quite alone, except for Rosemary and Blake,--and Mr. Bangs." "But your mother? You can't leave her here." "You will have to smuggle her out of the castle a day or two in advance. It is all thought out, Mr. Smart." "By Jove!" I exclaimed, with more irascibility than I intended to show. "If I succeed in doing all that is expected of me, I certainly will be entitled to more than an invitation to come and see you in New York." She arose and laid her fingers upon my bandaged hand. The reckless light had died out of her eyes. "I have thought that out, too, Mr. Smart," she said, quietly. "And now, good-bye. You will come up to see Mr. Bangs to-night?" Considerably mystified by her remark, I said I would come, and then assisted her through the opening in the wall. She smiled back at me as the portrait swung into place. What did she mean? Was it possible that she meant to have old man Titus reward me in a pecuniary way? The very thought of such a thing caused me to double up my fist--my recently discovered fist!--and to swear softly under my breath. After a few moments I was conscious of a fierce pain in the back of my hand. * * * * * * Bangs was a shrewd little Englishman. As I shook hands with him--using my left hand with a superfluous apology--I glanced at the top of his waistcoat. There was no button missing. "The Countess sewed it on for me," he said drily, reading my thoughts. I stayed late with them, discussing plans. He had strongly advised against any attempt on Mrs. Titus's part to enter her daughter's hiding-place, but had been overruled. I conceived the notion, too, that he was a very strong-minded man. What then must have been the strength of Mrs. Titus's resolution to overcome the objections he put in her way?