with barred windows. As I passed one of these I heard voices. The one—that of my husband—was just then raised—
"Good!—we start to-night—an hour after midnight."
I had stopped involuntarily. So I knew the hour! But the road? A flush of shame suffused my face for having played the eavesdropper. "Fly, fly!" a voice made itself heard within me, "there is yet time!" But I stood as if rooted to the spot.
Satagira, however, said nothing further. He may have heard my footsteps and their stopping at the door, for the latter was suddenly torn open. My husband stood before me.
"I heard thy voice in passing," I said, with quick resolution, "and thought of asking whether I should bring thee some refreshments as thou hast business so early. Then I feared to disturb thee and was about to pass on." Satagira looked at me without suspicion and even with great friendliness.
"I thank thee," he said; "I need no refreshments, but thou dost in no way disturb me. On the contrary, I was about to send for thee and only feared that thou were not yet risen. Thou canst, just at this moment, be of the greatest service to me."
He invited me to enter his room, which I did with supreme astonishment, very curious to know what the service might be which he desired from me,—just at this moment, when a deadly purpose against him filled my whole being.
A man, in whom I recognised the master of Satagira's horse and his most trusted follower, was sitting on a low bench. He rose as I entered and bowed. Satagira invited me to sit down beside himself, signed to the officer to be seated again, and turned to me.
