no human sounds save the monotonous tread of the
sentinels pacing to and fro before the palace; and across the Piazza,
those of the guard before the closed entrance of the Fortress of
Famagosta where their Queen and the infant Prince were in residence,
echoed them back. From the Duomo San Nicolo shone the faint twilight
glimmer of the tall candles that were ceaselessly burning about the
tomb of Janus--each pale flame wafting a prayer for absolution from the
broken heart of the Queen, who before her illness had brought them daily
with her own hands: and far down upon the shore was dimly heard the
ceaseless flow of the waves, keeping rhythmic beat to the passing
moments in the mystery of the night.

XIX

The moon had waned and the night was starless when the chimes of San
Nicolo told three of the morning in low melodious tones like a voice
from dreamland, breaking no slumber.

Suddenly the sharp wild clangor of the great alarum-bell of Famagosta
crashed through the silence.

The citizens sprang from their sleep with cries of terror and rushed to
the windows; but, alas, they had _not_ dreamed that dreaded danger
signal which kept up its fateful toll. Already men, fully armed, were
hurrying through the streets that led to the Piazza; whence came echoes
of voices talking in quick, awe-struck tones--the flash of torches--a
horseman dashing down from the castle to the walls at the port--sounds
of excited action ringing back from the ramparts--the quick gallop of a
cavalier rushing to join his command.

What might it mean!

Commander Saplana moved calmly out among his mounted suite, fully
equipped, from the Castle into the Piazza; yet there had not been many
moments in which to make ready since the first notes of that wild alarum
had sounded!

Those among the citizens entitled to bear arms were quickly accoutred
and dashed out to mingle with the throng.

"What is it?" men questioned of each other--but no one knew.

Had the Genoese returned to storm by night this post of vantage so long
their own--and still so coveted?

Were the Turks upon them?

Was it some intrigue of Ferdinand of Naples?

Was it treason?

Was it Carlotta come from Rhodes, with men-at-arms, to surprise them?

There was stealthy talk of a foreign galley in the port.

Some one had noted strange sailors in the throng: one might not be sure
of the letters on their caps, because of the darkness: but they were
Christians--not Turks--than