Of course there
was a dreadful risk in case anything should go wrong. But we are at
present living in a world of risks--and her father's life was at stake. So I took my dear wife in my arms, and told her that my mind was hers for
this, as my soul and body already were. And I cheered her by saying that
I thought it might be done. I sent for Rooke, and told him of the new adventure, and he quite agreed
with me in the wisdom of it. I then told him that he would have to go
and interview the Captain of the Turkish warship in the morning, if I did
not turn up. "I am going to see the Vladika," I said. "He will lead our
own troops in the attack on the Silent Tower. But it will rest with you
to deal with the warship. Ask the Captain to whom or what nation the
ship belongs. He is sure to refuse to tell. In such case mention to him
that if he flies no nation's flag, his vessel is a pirate ship, and that
you, who are in command of the navy of the Blue Mountains, will deal with
him as a pirate is dealt with--no quarter, no mercy. He will temporize,
and perhaps try a bluff; but when things get serious with him he will
land a force, or try to, and may even prepare to shell the town. He will
threaten to, at any rate. In such case deal with him as you think best,
or as near to it as you can." He answered:

"I shall carry out your wishes with my life. It is a righteous task. Not that anything of that sort would ever stand in my way. If he attacks
our nation, either as a Turk or a pirate, I shall wipe him out. We shall
see what our own little packet can do. Moreover, any of the marauders
who have entered the Blue Mountains, from sea or otherwise, shall never
get out by sea! I take it that we of my contingent shall cover the
attacking party. It will be a sorry time for us all if that happens
without our seeing you and the Voivodin; for in such case we shall
understand the worst!" Iron as he was, the man trembled. "That is so, Rooke," I said. "We are taking a desperate chance, we know. But the case is desperate! But we all have our duty to do, whatever
happens. Ours and yours is stern; but when we have done it, the result
will be that life will be easier for others--for those that are left." Before he left, I asked him to send up to me three suits of the Masterman
bullet-proof clothes of which we had a supply on the yacht. "Two are for the Voivodin and myself," I said; "the third is for the
Voivode to put on. The Voivodin will take it with her when she descends
from the aeroplane into the Tower." Whilst any daylight was left I went out to survey the ground. My wife
wanted to come with me, but I would not let her. "No," said I; "you will
have at the best a fearful tax on your strength and your nerves. You
will want to be as fresh as is possible when you get on the aeroplane." Like a good wife, she obeyed, and lay down to rest in the little tent
provided for her. I took with me a local man who knew the ground, and who was trusted to be
silent. We made a long detour when we had got as near the Silent Tower
as we could without being noticed. I made notes from my compass as to
directions, and took good notice of anything that could possibly serve as
a landmark. By the time we got home I was pretty well satisfied that if
all should go well I could easily sail over the Tower in the dark. Then
I had a talk with my wife, and gave her full instructions:

"When we arrive over the Tower," I said, "I shall lower you with a long
rope. You will have a parcel of food and spirit for your father in case
he is fatigued or faint; and, of course, the bullet-proof suit, which he
must put on at once. You will also have a short rope with a belt at
either end--one for your father, the other for you. When I turn the
aeroplane and come back again, you will have ready the ring which lies
midway between the belts. This you will catch into the hook at the end
of the lowered rope. When all is secure, and I have pulled you both up
by the windlass so as to clear the top, I shall throw out ballast which
we shall carry on purpose, and away we go! I am sorry it must be so
uncomfortable for you both, but there is no other way. When we get well
clear of the Tower, I shall take you both up on the platform. If
necessary, I shall descend to do it--and then we shall steer for Ilsin." "When all is safe, our men will attack the Tower. We must let them do
it, for they expect it. A few men in the clothes and arms which we took
from your captors will be pursued by some of ours. It is all arranged. They will ask the Turks to admit them, and if the latter have not learned
of your father's escape, perhaps they will do so. Once in, our men will
try to open the gate. The chances are against them, poor fellows! but
they are all volunteers, and will die fighting. If they win out, great
glory will be theirs." "The moon does not rise to-night till just before midnight, so we have
plenty of time. We shall start from here at ten. If all be well, I
shall place you in the Tower with your father in less than a quarter-hour
from that. A few minutes will suffice to clothe him in bullet-proof and
get on his belt. I shall not be away from the Tower more than a very few
minutes, and, please God, long before eleven we shall be safe. Then the
Tower can be won in an attack by our mountaineers. Perhaps, when the
guns are heard on the ship of war--for there is sure to be firing--the
Captain may try to land a shore party. But Rooke will stand in the way,
and if I know the man and _The Lady_, we shall not be troubled with many
Turks to-night. By midnight you and your father can be on the way to
Vissarion. I can interview the naval Captain in the morning." My wife's marvellous courage and self-possession stood to her. At half
an hour before the time fixed she was ready for our adventure. She had
improved the scheme in one detail. She had put on her own belt and
coiled the rope round her waist, so the only delay would be in bringing
her father's belt. She would keep the bullet-proof dress intended to be
his strapped in a packet on her back, so that if occasion should be
favourable he would not want to put it on till he and she should have
reached the platform of the aeroplane. In such case, I should not steer
away from the Tower at all, but would pass slowly across it and take up
the captive and his brave daughter before leaving. I had learned from
local sources that the Tower was in several stories. Entrance was by the
foot, where the great iron-clad door was; then came living-rooms and
storage, and an open space at the top. This would probably be thought
the best place for the prisoner, for it was deep-sunk within the massive
walls, wherein was no loophole of any kind. This, if it should so
happen, would be the disposition of things best for our plan. The guards
would at this time be all inside the Tower--probably resting, most of
them--so that it was possible that no one might notice the coming of the
airship.