saws upon the huge door.

For hours, they labored upon that mighty work of defence, and it was late

at night ere they made a little opening large enough to admit a hand and

arm, but the first one intruded within the room to raise the bars was drawn

quickly back with a howl of pain from its owner. Thus the keen dagger in

the girl's hand put an end to all hopes of entering without completely

demolishing the door.

To this work, the men without then set themselves diligently while Peter of

Colfax renewed his entreaties, through the small opening they had made.

Bertrade replied but once.

"Seest thou this poniard ?" she asked. "When that door falls, this point

enters my heart. There is nothing beyond that door, with thou, poltroon,

to which death in this little chamber would not be preferable."

As she spoke, she turned toward the man she was addressing, for the first

time during all those weary, hideous hours removing her glance from the old

hag. It was enough. Silently, but with the quickness of a tigress the old

woman was upon her back, one claw-like paw grasping the wrist which held

the dagger.

"Quick, My Lord !" she shrieked, "the bolts, quick."

Instantly Peter of Colfax ran his arm through the tiny opening in the door

and a second later four of his men rushed to the aid of the old woman.

Easily they wrested the dagger from Bertrade's fingers, and at the Baron's

bidding, they dragged her to the great hall below.

As his retainers left the room at his command, Peter of Colfax strode back

and forth upon the rushes which strewed the floor. Finally he stopped

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