Those nearest the wheel, not unwilling, perhaps, to desist, drew away; other detonations followed and smoke filled the place, obscuring the gaze. In the yellow fog they waited; until first it was swept aside close to the opposite wall by a draft of air from the aperture of the adjoining store-room, and the commandant, in an effort to see, moved impatiently forward. Ere, however, he could reach the wheel, near the threshold of the store-room, he felt his arm suddenly seized. "Look, listen!" The warning cry--a girl's voice--rang through the wheel-room; but the commandant did not at once heed it; at that abrupt touch he had involuntarily wrested his arm away; he stared, not in the direction she who had called out pointed, but at her! The white, drawn face, the eyes dilated-- "You, my Lady! Here?" he stammered. But she only made a wild movement; again grasped, drew him forward. "Quick, or--" And suddenly was he brought to a realization of what she wished him to see: a figure drawing itself along, slowly, painfully, toward the verge-- "Don't you see? Rather than be taken, he's going to throw himself over!" The excited, admonishing sound of her voice aroused the commandant. He gave a sharp order and the soldiers sprang forward; laid roughly hold of the prostrate form; drew it back. The Black Seigneur yet struggled, but not for long! A moment, and his eyes turned to the Governor's daughter. "_Ma foi_! I must needs yield--to your Ladyship! Yet, what matter, since I have done what I came to do!" His gaze, darkly glowing, seemed to envelope the shrinking figure whose cloak only partly concealed the gay, rich gown beneath; lifted to the brilliant affrighted brown eyes. "Your Ladyship has bright eyes, forsooth!" An ironical laugh burst from his lips. "But sharper than their swords!" He strove to speak further, when a hand holding a weapon fell heavily. At that a cry escaped the girl's lips. "No, no; you shall not!" The Black Seigneur lay still. "_Ciel_! It's fortunate we got him," ruefully the commandant gazed around. "It would have made a pretty tale, if--" he turned to the Governor's daughter, "I have your Ladyship to thank--" he began, and stopped. My lady's figure had at that moment relaxed and fallen to the ground! CHAPTER XXIV THE HALL OF THE CHEVALIERS