They must be convinced that the Princess was in the place, for he wanted their whole mind to be devoted to the siege.

He rummaged among the ladies' baggage, and extracted a skirt and a coloured scarf.

The latter he managed to flutter so that it could be seen at the window the next time one of the watchers came within sight.

He also fixed up the skirt so that the fringe of it could be seen, and, when Leon appeared below, he was in the shadow talking rapid French in a very fair imitation of the tones of Cousin Eugenie.

The ruse had its effect, for Leon promptly went off to tell Spidel, and when Dobson appeared he too was given the news.