in. A
chorus of birds sounded somewhere overhead; but there was not a living
creature to be seen except a dog asleep in the sunshine at the corner of
the gravel.

It was delicious to lean out here, away from the fire that burned hot
and red in the grate under its black mass of papers that had been
destroyed,--out in the light and air. Ralph determined that he would let
the fire die now; it would not be needed again.

He must go out, he told himself, and not linger here. He could lock up
the papers for the present in readiness for their transport next day;
and he wondered vaguely whether his hat and cane were in the
entrance-hall below.

He straightened himself, and turned away from the window, noticing as he
did so the dog at the corner of the street sit up with cocked ears. He
hesitated and turned back.

There was a sound of furious running coming up the street. He would just
see who the madman was who ran like this on a hot evening, and then go
out himself.

As he leaned again the pulsating steps came nearer; they were coming
from the left, the direction of the Palace.

A moment later a figure burst into sight, crimson-faced and hatless,
with arms gathered to the sides and head thrown back; it appeared to be
a gentleman by the dress--but why should he run like that? He dashed
across the opening and disappeared.

Ralph was interested. He waited a minute longer; but the footsteps had
ceased; and he was just turning once more from the window, when another
sound made him stand and listen again.

It came from the same direction as before; and at first he could not
make out what it was. There was a murmur and a pattering.

It came nearer and louder; and he could distinguish once more running
footsteps. Were they after a thief? he wondered. The murmur and clatter
grew louder yet; and a second or two later two men burst into sight;
one, an apprentice with his leather apron flapping as he ran, the other
a stoutish man like a merchant. They talked and gesticulated as they
went.

The murmur behind swelled up. There were the voices of many people, men
and women, talking, screaming, questioning. The dog was on his feet by
now, looking intently down the street.

Then the first group appeared; half a dozen men walking fast or
trotting, talking eagerly. Ralph could not hear what they said.

Then a number surged into sight all at once, jostling round a centre,
and a clamour went up to heaven. The dog trotted up suspici