I was near enough to hear him mutter: "How the devil comes this here ?" I was at the rope, and he, hanging in mid air, saw me, but I could not reach him.
"Hullo! who's here ?" he cried in startled tones.
For a moment, I believe, he took me for the King--I dare say I was pale enough to lend colour to the thought; but an instant later he cried: "Why it's the play-actor! How come you here, man ?" And so saying he gained the bank.
I laid hold of the rope, but I paused.

He stood on the bank, sword in hand, and he could cut my head open or spit me through the heart as I came up.

I let go the rope.
"Never mind," said I; "but as I am here, I think I'll stay." He smiled down on me.
"These women are the deuce--" he began; when suddenly the great bell of the Castle started to ring furiously, and a loud shout reached us from the moat.
Rupert smiled again, and waved his hand to me.
"I should like a turn with you, but it's a little too hot!" said he, and he disappeared from above me.
In an instant, without thinking of danger, I laid my hand to the rope.
I was up.

I saw him thirty yards off, running like a deer towards the shelter of the forest.

For once Rupert Hentzau had chosen discretion for his part.