He found to his relief that the cellar door was open, and he slipped inside and made his way to the staircase, stumbling over the wood that Lisle had dropped. He climbed the stairs cautiously and passed quickly down the long corridors, pausing when he came to the great entrance hall. A door at one side stood open, and he could see a spacious, candle-lit room beyond. It was the salon, and as he entered it he saw the little girl standing by the fireplace. As he started to cross the room, he spoke so as not to startle her too much. “Tha has nought to fear, little lady. 'Tis Humphrey Trail, and Monsieur Lisle has spoken of tha to me!” he said. It was wise of Humphrey to speak so to Rosanne, for, instead of fear, she felt relief at once, and ran across the room to meet him, saying eagerly: “Where is Lisle? Yes, he spoke of you last night. He said he trusted you out of all Paris. He went to the cellar for wood quite awhile ago. He said to stay here, and I did for such a long time. Then I went to the hall and called him. He did not come, so I opened the front door and looked out. Where is Lisle, Humphrey Trail?” Rosanne’s voice broke as she put this question to the farmer, and she had to try very hard not to cry. Humphrey beamed upon her, and there was something so reassuring in his smile that Rosanne smiled, too, through her tears. “Tha’ll be a brave lass for his sake and the sake of those tha hold dear. I’ll give my life to find tha lad, but now tha must come with me as quick as ever tha can. Tha must trust Humphrey Trail. If th’art not a brave girl, I canna help tha!” While he was speaking Humphrey had gathered up a heavy, velvet drapery which lay across the inlaid mother-of-pearl table near the fireplace, and before Rosanne could think he had wrapped it around her. “The cold is bitter. I’ll hold tha close,” he said. He lifted Rosanne in his arms and glanced back at the shadowy doorway. She put both her arms around him and looked up at him, her bewildered brown eyes shining bravely. “I’m not afraid, Humphrey Trail, and I do trust you. You’ll take me to Lisle, won’t you? You’ll promise to find Lisle for me!” she said. He nodded and whispered: “I’ll try!” He moved cautiously across the room and when he reached the hall he paused, putting up his hand to warn Rosanne not to speak. He thought that he had heard a sound. As he stood there, holding Rosanne closely wrapped in the blue velvet table cover, he saw the front door open slowly, and he knew that those who had taken Lisle away had come back for Rosanne. He knew, too, that a great deal depended on her, and he spoke quietly in her ear.