“Tie me, Jack.” Jack’s eyes opened wide in astonishment and he hesitated. “Tie me, Jack. Since when did you begin to disobey my orders? Hurry, I say.” Thus admonished, Jack seized the rope and, with a few skilful turns, bound her fast. “Now,” she cried triumphantly, turning her head toward Mortimer, “now will you go, or will you remain here until someone comes and finds us and we all get into trouble for nothing?” “Yes; hurry up and do something,” cried Jack impatiently. “Either I must be choked dumb and tied up, or I must get back to my post. What are you making so much fuss about anyway? Don’t you want to go back home to fight? You look like a pretty niftily set up sort of a man,” he continued, addressing Mortimer, “but the other doesn’t look as if he would count for much. Come, hurry up! You’ve wasted too much time already!” “You’re right!” exclaimed the Professor, and, rope in hand, he fell upon Jack and quickly secured him. As for Mortimer, Jack’s reference to going home to fight aroused him. Rapidly there flashed through his mind the vision of a strangely-fought and bloody struggle in progress, his regiment attacked and he absent from his men and from his duty. He glanced at the Professor now rapidly completing the work of securing Jack. Then he crossed to where Valerie sat. “You win,” he said with emotion; “I accept your sacrifice and will go. But remember, should you find yourself in peril as the result of this, one word sent to me at the palace and I’m at all times ready to return and surrender myself.” “Include me in that proposition,” interjected Dean. “Pull tighter round the ankles!” called out Jack, and the Professor again bent to his task. A couple more turns of the rope, a few sharp tugs and he stood up, his work completed. “Go!” whispered Valerie, with pleading lips and eyes upturned to Mortimer. “Go, before it is too late.” He lingered yet a moment. “Don’t forget my offer,” he said, “should you find yourself in peril. I hold myself your debtor for life. You will remember?” “Ah! But will you remember something?” returned Valerie hastily. “You are going into a greater danger than will surround me. In these awful days that are to come it is you that most likely will need help. Will you remember you have a friend among your--enemies? If I can help you, remember I--I--Oh! Go, go quickly!” “Come, it’s time we were off,” exclaimed the Professor, touching Mortimer lightly upon the arm. The Captain started. Stooping, he kissed Valerie’s hand and tried to murmur his gratitude to the girl, before he turned to follow the Professor. Tears were in her eyes; her lips trembled slightly. They reached the head of the steps and were outside the door. Mortimer turned and waved a farewell. Then Dean banged to the door and shot the bolts.