"Yes, my darling!" He kissed her through the cold iron bars. "Oh, my love, why did you dare so much?" "I did it for your sake, Howard!" she murmured, and blushed crimson as she spoke. "I could not bear to think of your being here." "But now you are a prisoner, too!" he said, sadly. "Oh, what a terrible misfortune!" "How did you know I was here? Have you seen Tomasso?" "Yes, and he gave me the number of the cell. Oh, Estella, I would make any sacrifice to set you free!" he went on, passionately. "And I would do the same for you, Howard. But I am afraid we cannot help each other. You--how is it you are here?" "I slipped from the guard while I was in the yard." "And what are they going to do with you? Are they going to give you a trial?" she questioned, hastily. He could scarcely answer her. He lowered his eyes, but she compelled him to speak. "I have had a trial--at least, what they call a trial," he said, in such a low voice she could scarcely hear him. "And the verdict, Howard--what was it? Tell me--you don't answer. Did they--they find you guilty?" "Yes." She gave a pitiful sob, and clutched the iron bars tightly, to keep herself from falling to the floor. "And what is to be the next step, Howard?--tell me the whole truth." "I am to be shot within the hour!" "Oh!" That one little stifled exclamation, yet how much it meant! She tried to say more, but from her parched lips, pale with terror, there came only a heart-wrung moan. "It was Captain Nocolo's work. He swore my life away!" "And Lieutenant Mazenas tried to poison you!" she said, at last. "You are surrounded by enemies and cannot expect fair treatment. Oh, how my heart longs to aid you, Howard!" she went on, with another sob. "You noble and sweet girl!" he burst out. "There is not such another loyal heart in the whole world!" "You may hit upon some way to escape. Take the first chance, no matter how desperate. Try, try, Howard, for my sake!" "And what of you, Estella?" "Never mind me. Save yourself! I will----" "Hold! What means this?" shouted a voice at the turn in the corridor, and a yellow-skinned creole jailer stalked up. Not stopping to think twice, Howard pounced upon the fellow, and hurled him to the floor. "A single word and your life will pay the forfeit!" said the young war correspondent. And then, as the guard quickly arose to his feet and began a desperate struggle to overpower his antagonist, Howard hit him a heavy blow behind the ear. With a groan, the creole fell back unconscious. It was but the work of a moment for Howard to find the jailer's keys. With them he unlocked the door of Estella's cell and also liberated his own wrists. "Come, Estella," he said, in a low voice. "See! I have his pistol and his sword. Let us make a dash for liberty together!" "I will go with you wherever you say!" murmured the beautiful girl. "Henceforth I am what my friends call me--Estella, the little Cuban rebel!"