'Stop!' commanded the Emperor, laying one hand on the Venetian's arm. Zeno set his foot on the rope to keep it from running out, and turned to the prisoner in surprise. 'Every moment is precious,' he said. 'If we are discovered from outside the tower the game is up, and we shall be caught like rats in a trap. I have a basket at the end of this rope in which you will be quite safe from falling, if that is what makes you hesitate. Fear nothing. We are two good men, I and my companion below.' 'You are a good man indeed, to have risked your life in climbing here,' answered Johannes. He made a few steps, bending his still handsome head in thought. He limped slightly in his walk, and he was said to have only four toes on his left foot. Zeno at once continued hauling up the rope, but a moment later the Emperor stopped close beside him. 'It is of no use,' he said; 'I cannot go with you.' Zeno was thunderstruck, and stood still with the rope in his two hands. 'You will not go?' he repeated, almost stupidly. 'You will not be free, now that everything is ready?' 'I cannot. Go down your rope before there is an alarm. Take God's blessing for your generous courage, and my heartfelt thanks. I am ashamed that I should have nothing else to offer you. I cannot go.' 'But why? Why?' Carlo Zeno could not remember that he had ever been so much surprised in his life, and so are they who gather round the story-teller and listen to his tale. But it is a true one; and many years afterwards one of Carlo Zeno's grandsons, the good old Bishop of Belluno, wrote it down as he had heard it from his grandsire's lips. Moreover it is history. The imprisoned Emperor Johannes refused to leave his prison, after Zeno had risked life and limb to prepare a revolution, and had scaled the tower alone. 'Andronicus has my little son in the palace,' said the prisoner; 'if I escape he will put out the child's eyes with boiling vinegar, and perhaps mutilate him or kill him by inches. Save him first, then I will go with you.' There was something very noble in the prisoner's tone, and in the turn of his handsome head as he spoke. Zeno could not help respecting him, yet he was profoundly disappointed. He tried one argument. 'If you will come at once,' he said, 'I promise you that we shall hold the palace before daybreak, and the little prince will be as free as you.' Johannes shook his head sadly. 'The guards will kill him instantly,' he said; 'the more certainly if they see that they must fight for their lives.' 'In short, your Majesty is resolved? You will not come with me?' 'I cannot.' The Emperor turned away, and covered his face with his hands, more as if trying to concentrate his thoughts than as if in despair. 'No, I cannot,' he repeated presently. 'Save the boy first,' he repeated, dropping his hands and turning to Zeno again, 'then I will go with you.' Zeno was silent for a moment, and then spoke in a determined tone.