“That’s so, but there mustn’t be any waste of time. You’ve just got to break the record getting to Paranati and back. Pour out the dollars like water if they’re needed. I’ll have Lady Usk’s Dutchy go with you to do the talking, for I must stay and fix things up here, but I’ll meet you in the village, and the patient needn’t begin his star performances before then.” “And what about her Majesty’s message that I brought you?” “I guess her Majesty will just have to wait until this row is hoed. If she’s so mad that she gets reconciled again, it won’t hurt me, any way.” With this reckless defiance of Queen Félicia, Mr Hicks sped the mate and Jakob on their way, and himself returned along the road to meet Usk and Helene. He found them waiting faithfully, but fuming, at the appointed spot, and he unfolded the plan he had elaborated as he rode. To one point Usk objected strongly. “I won’t have Helene mixed up in the rescue,” he said. “She can stay in the village, and we’ll pick her up as we come back.” “I don’t see but we must have her come with us,” said Mr Hicks doubtfully, “or we won’t be enough for the business. You, sir, will have your hands full getting the rope to your uncle and helping him down it, and Lady Usk will be wanted to hold the doctor in talk, for I must be way down the hill with Bradwell’s outfit. Then when the doctor is sent for to help us, you must distract the janitor’s attention while the Count slips past. If the charms of your conversation will do it, so much the better, but if not, then the six-shooter I warned you to bring will come into play. I must have Lady Usk wait with William and the buggy at the turn of the track out of sight of the gateway, for there’s no other way of getting the Count down the hill without being seen. You have the waterproof apron on the buggy, Lady Usk, I hope? I guess you’ll admire to take your part in saving the Count, won’t you? Don’t you go and have an upset down the hill; drive gently till you’re through the village, but then just take it out of the horses until you’re past the Pannonian frontier-post. I’ve had a word with the boss there. He can’t do anything to help us, for fear of a frontier incident, but once you’re safe across he’ll see you’re not followed.” “But supposing these Dardanian fellows fire--she may be hit!” cried Usk. “Well, sir, there’ll be your uncle and William, who won’t have her get hurt if they can help it. And as I said, I wouldn’t bring a woman into this if there was any other way of fixing things, but your wife has grit, and she’ll take the risk.” “Oh, Usk, please, _please_!” entreated Helene, squeezing his arm very hard. “You know it was my fault he wasn’t saved before. If I could really help to save him this time!”