"I'm safe. I'm disguised, and a priest is with me as my protector." "How can you be safe in such a place as this?" "I am safe. Do not argue. There is no time to lose. The priest brought me here, and will take me away." "But there are others here. I can't leave them. Isn't Miss Fay a prisoner? and another lady?" "Yes; but the priest and I will be able, I hope, to liberate them. We have a plan." "But can't I go with you and help you?" "Oh no! it's impossible. You could not. We are going to take them away in disguise. We have a dress. You couldn't be disguised." "And _must_ I go alone?" "You must." "I'll do it, then. Tell me what it is. But oh, my darling! how can I leave you, and in such a place as this?" "I assure you I am not in the slightest danger." "I shall feel terribly anxious." "H-s-s-s-h! no more of this. Listen now." "Well?" Ethel bent lower, and whispered in his ear, in even lower tones than ever, the plan which she had contrived. CHAPTER XXX. A DESPERATE PLAN. Ethel's plan was hastily revealed. The position was exceedingly perilous; time was short, and this was the only way of escape. It was the priest who had concocted it, and he had thought of it as the only plan by which Hawbury's rescue could be effected. This ingenious Irishman had also formed another plan for the rescue of Minnie and her sister, which was to be attempted in due course of time. Now no ordinary mode of escape was possible for Hawbury. A strict watch was kept. The priest had noticed on his approach that guards were posted in different directions in such a way that no fugitive from the house could elude them. He had also seen that the guard inside the house was equally vigilant. To leap from the window and run for it would be certain death, for that was the very thing which the brigands anticipated. To make a sudden rush down the stairs was not possible, for at the door below there were guards; and there, most vigilant of all, was Girasole himself. The decision of the Irish priest was correct, as has been proved in the case of Dacres, who, in spite of all his caution, was observed and captured. Of this the priest knew nothing, but judged from what he himself had seen on his approach to the house.