Instantly she flung herself at the feet of the princess.
"Why, Gretchen!" "They will not let me see him, Highness!" Gretchen choked.
"What has happened, child ?" "They have arrested him as a spy from Jugendheit, and he is innocent.
Save him, Highness!" "How can I save him ?" "He is not a spy." "That must be proved, Gretchen.

I can not go to the Stein-schloss and order them to liberate him." She lifted Gretchen to her feet.
"I have been there, and they will not let me see him.

I love him so!" "I can arrange that for you.

I will go with you myself to the prison." "Thanks, Highness, thanks!" Gretchen was hysterical.
The Stein-schloss had been the feudal keep; now it served as the city prison.

Its grim gray stones were battle-scarred and time-worn; a place of deep dungeons, huge bolts and bars, and narrow slits in the stone for windows.