But what's to prevent the men from gaining entrance by the rear ?--carrying off her Highness that way, passing through the alley and making off, to be a mile away before the cuirassiers even dream of the attempt ?" "After all, I'd rather the duchess." "We can not all be kings and queens." Johann got up and slapped Stuler familiarly on the shoulder.

"Forget not the gold, the yellow gold; little heaps of it to finger, to count, and to spend." Stuler's eyes gleamed phosphorescently.

There was the strain of the ancient marauder in his veins; gold easily gotten.

He opened the door, and Johann passed out, swaying.

The wine was taking hold of him.