No
sooner did Rudolf's footsteps become audible than she cautiously
unfastened the shutter, opened the window, put her pretty head
out, and called softly: "All's safe! Come in!"
The mischief was done then, for the faces of Helsing's wife and
daughter, ay, and the faces of Helsing's servants, were intent on
this most strange spectacle. Rudolf, turning his head over his
shoulder, saw them; a moment later poor Helga saw them also.
Innocent and untrained in controlling her feelings, she gave a
shrill little cry of dismay, and hastily drew back. Rudolf looked
round again. The ladies had retreated to the cover of the porch,
but he still saw their eager faces peering from between the
pillars that supported it.
"I may as well go in now," said Rudolf, and in he sprang. There
was a merry smile on his face as he ran forward to meet Helga,
who leant against the table, pale and agitated.
"They saw you?" she gasped.
"Undoubtedly," said he. Then his sense of amusement conquered
everything else, and he sat down in a chair, laughing.
"I'd give my life," said he, "to hear the story that the
chancellor will be waked up to hear in a minute or two from now!"
But a moment's thought made him grave again.
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