"Get up, Tika!" she cried, rousing the young girl. "Try to slip in unseen and overhear what is said; try to find out what is going on in the castle." Tika dressed rapidly, and left the palace silently. Her mistress followed her with her eyes, but she was soon lost in the darkness. When she returned she was ashy pale, and pressed her hand to her heart. "The Prince of Nagato has just entered the palace," she gasped; "I saw him pass by with a guard of soldiers. He was loaded with chains; his weapons had been taken from him." At these words Fatkoura uttered a loud shriek, and fell to the floor. "Can she be dead?" exclaimed Tika, in alarm, kneeling beside her mistress. She put her ear to Fatkoura's breast. Her heart beat rapidly, but her eyes were shut; she was cold and motionless. "What shall I do? what shall I do?" said Tika, not daring to call, her mistress having forbidden her to admit any of the servants apportioned to her by the Prince of Tosa. The fainting-fit lasted a long time. When Fatkoura re-opened her eyes, it was day. She looked at Tika for a moment in surprise; but her memory soon returned. She rose abruptly. "We must save him, Tika," she exclaimed, with feverish excitement; "we must get him out of this castle." "Has she lost her mind?" thought Tika. "Come," continued Fatkoura; "let us see if we can find out in what part of the palace he is confined." "Are you in earnest, mistress? At this time of day? The sun has not yet drunk up the morning dews. We should be suspected if we were seen walking so early, especially as you have never once left your room since you came here." "No matter; you can say that fever drove me from my bed. Come!" Fatkoura stepped down into the garden, and walked straight forward. The grass was still dripping wet; the trees and bushes were bathed in rosy light; the topmost peaks of the great castle-tower, touched by the first rays of the sun, glittered, moist with dew. Tika followed her mistress. They came to the palisade enclosing their particular domain. The door was only on the latch; the prisoners were free to roam at will within the well-guarded fortress. The soldiers who brought Prince Nagato were encamped in the avenues of the park. The greater number slept, lying flat on their stomachs, with their heads on their arms; others, crouching round a dying fire, ate rice from large straw-covered bowls. "Tika," said Fatkoura, looking at these men and the weapons which gleamed beside them, "a sword is a faithful comrade, that opens the door to the other life, and allows one to escape dishonor. The conqueror robbed me of my dagger. Try to steal the sword of one of those soldiers." "Mistress!" said Tika, casting a frightened glance at the young woman. "Obey me!" said Fatkoura. "Then we must move away from those who are awake, and keep in the background; the rustle of our robes might betray us."