"No use," he said softly. "We can do nothing. He will die." Again Wolfgar's eyes opened. "Die--of course." He tried to raise one of his burned hands, but dropped it back. "Die? Yes--of course. In just a moment...." His eyes, already dulled, swung about. "Who is that--crying? There's no need--to cry." It was little Elza beside me, struggling to suppress her sobs. Wolfgar's slow, labored voice demanded: "That isn't--my Princess Maida crying--is it? I don't want--her to cry----" "No," said Georg gently. "Maida is here--right here by you. She isn't crying." His gaze found Maida's face. "Oh, yes--I can see you--Princess Maida. You're not crying--that's good. There's nothing to--cry about." He seemed for a moment to gather a little strength; he moved his head and saw Tarrano standing there behind us. "Master?" He used the old term with a whimsical smile. "I--called you that--for a long time, didn't I? You have a right to consider me a traitor----" "A spy," said Tarrano very gently. "Not a traitor. That you would have been had you served me--a traitor to your Princess." Wolfgar's head tried to nod; relief was on his face. "I'm--glad you understand. I would not want to die--having you think harshly of me----" "You are a man--I honor you." Abruptly Tarrano turned away and strode across the room. And always since I have wondered if he left that scene of death because of the emotion he could not hide. Georg said: "You should not talk, Wolfgar." "But I--want to talk. I have--only a few minutes. Just these--last few minutes--I want to talk to my--Princess Maida. You'll--excuse us--the Princess Maida and me--won't you? Just for these last--few minutes?" We withdrew beyond his fading sight. "My--Princess Maida----" His voice still reached us. She leaned closer over him. Her tears were falling now, but as she spoke she strove for calmness. "Wolfgar----" His eyes were glazing, but they dung to her. "Princess----" "No," she said. "Just Maida--your friend. The woman you have given your life for." Her voice almost broke. "Oh, Wolfgar! Never shall I forget that. To give your life----" "It is--a great honor." The gesture he made to check her words of thanks exhausted him. His eyes closed; for a moment he seemed not to breathe. As Maida leaned down in alarm, her beautiful white hair tumbled forward over her shoulders. A lock of it brushed Wolfgar. He could not lift his hands, but they groped for the tresses, found them and clung. Her white waves of hair, with his fingers, shriveled, burned black, entwined in them. Again his eyelids came up. "You won't leave me--Princess Maida. Not for these--last few minutes?" "No," she half whispered. "You--cannot--if you would." His whimsical smile returned. "You see? I am--holding you." For a moment he was silent. His eyes stayed open, staring dully at her. His face and lips were drained now of their blood. "You're--still there?" "Yes, Wolfgar."