him at the window.

The scene outside was indeed remarkable. In the narrow, paved street,
gloomy now in the failing light; there must have been fifty or sixty
men standing in a circle, surrounded by an outer fringe of women
and children; and in the centre stood our landlord, his burly figure
swaying to and fro, as he poured out a low-voiced but vehement
harangue. Sometimes he pointed toward us, oftener along the ascending
road that led to the interior. I could not hear a word he said, but
presently all his auditors raised their hands toward heaven. I saw
that the hands held, some guns, some clubs, some knives; and all the
men cried with furious energy: "_Nai, nai!_" ("Yes, yes!") And then
the whole body--and the greater part of the grown men on the island
must have been present--started off, in compact array, up the road,
the innkeeper at their head. By his side walked another man, whom I
had not noticed before, and who wore an ordinary suit of tweeds, but
carried himself with an assumption of much dignity. His face I did not
see.

"Well, what's the meaning of that?" I exclaimed, looking down on the
street, empty now, save for groups of white-clothed women, who talked
eagerly to one another, gesticulating, and pointing now toward our
inn, now toward where the men had gone.

"Perhaps it's their parliament," suggested Denny. "Or perhaps they've
repented of their rudeness, and are going to erect a triumphal arch."

These conjectures being obviously ironical, did not assist the matter,
although they amused their author.

"Anyhow," said I, "I should like to investigate the thing. Suppose we
go for a stroll?"

The proposal was accepted at once. We put on our hats, took sticks,
and prepared to go. Then I glanced at the luggage.

"Since I was so foolish as to waste my money on revolvers," said I,
with an inquiring glance at Hogvardt.

"The evening air will not hurt them," said he; and we each stowed
a revolver in our pockets. We felt, I think, rather ashamed of our
timidity, but the Neopalians certainly looked rough customers. Then I
turned the handle of the door. The door did not open. I pulled hard at
it. Then I looked at my companions.

"Queer," said Denny, and he began to whistle.

Hogvardt got the little lantern, which he always had handy, and
carefully inspected the door.

"Locked," he announced, "and bolted top and bottom. A solid door,
too!" and he struck it with his hand. Then he crossed to the window,