vident that the
rioters had been restrained by the new Dey, for their shouts were now
heard in only two or three of the main thoroughfares.

During his service as scribe to Achmet, Lucien had visited all parts of
the town, and was familiar with its main outlines, if not with its
details. He therefore knew how to avoid the frequented parts, and yet
take a pretty direct course for Bab-Azoun. But he was sorely perplexed
as to how he should now act, for it was much too early in the night to
make an attempt to get over the city walls.

In this dilemma he retired into the deep shadow of an old doorway, and
covered up the lantern, while he held a whispered consultation with his
father.

"It seems to me, my son," said Francisco, sitting down on the chest
which he had hitherto carried, "that we have only got out of the
frying-pan into the fire; for it is not reason to expect that all the
janissaries we chance to meet will let us pass without question, and I
fear that you have no sufficient ground of excuse for wandering about
the city at such hours in disturbed times in charge of a slave on whose
countenance submission sits with so bad a grace."

"True, father," answered Lucien, much perplexed; "perhaps it would be
well to remain where we are till a later hour. If any one seeks to
enter this dismal staircase, we can easily avoid observation by getting
into one of its dark corners, and--"

He was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, and
immediately retired with his father into one of the corners referred to.

"It is only two streets further on," said a low voice, which sounded
familiar in the ears of the listeners. "There you shall be safe, for
Jacob Mordecai is a trusty friend, and I will go see how it fares with
our--"

"'Tis Bacri," whispered Lucien, as the voice died away in the distance.

"We must not lose sight of him," said Francisco, darting out.

Lucien outran his father, and quickly overtook Bacri and another man,
who was completely enveloped in the folds of a burnous, such as was
then, and still is, worn by the Bedouin Arabs.

On hearing the footsteps in pursuit, Bacri and his companion had
commenced to run, but perceiving that only two men followed them, they
turned and stood in an attitude of defence. He who wore the burnous
flung back the hood, and, freeing his sword-arm from its folds,
displayed to the astonished gaze of Lucien and Francisco the face and
form of Mariano.

"Father!"