He approached the great log house swiftly but cautiously, keeping as much from view as possible.

As he came under the window through which he had looked upon the king and his wives his heart leaped with anticipation, with hope that was strangely mingled with fear.

For only a moment he paused to listen, and notwithstanding the seriousness of his position he could not repress a smile as there came to his ears the crying of children and the high angry voice of a woman.

He passed around to the front of the house.

The door of Strang's castle was wide open and unguarded.