DASH FOR LIBERTY, AND GRAPPLES WITH THE
GUARD.]

As he spoke he was taking off his uniform, which consisted of a dark
jacket, trousers, and cap, and a brown belt from which hung a sword.
Stephen put them on, then tightly bound the insensible man, whose lungs
were now playing, stuffed a portion of the rug into his mouth and fastened
it there with a strip tied at the back of the head. Then he similarly
bound and gagged the warder, and then gave him a heavy blow on the head,
feeling that it was best for the man himself that it should be a severe
one. Then he took the sentry's musket and hid it under the bed, so that,
if by any chance he managed to free himself of his bonds, he could not
fire it to give the alarm. Then putting the cap on his head Stephen went
out, bolted the door, and proceeded down the corridor. Following the
instructions that had been given him he made his way towards the door.
Just as he neared it he saw a group of three or four warders going out
together, and waiting for a moment till they had disappeared boldly
followed them, and passed between the sentries into the open air. So
rapidly and easily had the escape been managed that he could scarcely
believe that he had escaped from the hands of the military authorities,
still less from the fate that would have awaited him had he fallen into
the hands of the Inquisition. Not knowing which was the front of the
building, he followed the lane, upon which the side door opened, to its
end, and then finding that he was now at the rear of the prison he
returned; and gaining the street in which was the main entrance, followed
out his instructions and tapped three times at the door of the house
indicated. There was a little pause and then it was opened a short
distance.

"Is it you, senor?" a female voice asked.

"It is the man whom you are, I believe, expecting, and who received your
message."

With an exclamation of gladness the woman opened the door and, as he
entered, closed it behind him.

"Follow me, senor," she said; "there is nothing in the passage to run
against."

A few steps further Stephen heard a door open, a flood of light poured
into the passage, and his guide said "Quick!" He entered and she closed
the door behind him.

"Thanks to the saints that you have escaped, senor!" a voice said. "It
seemed to us well-nigh impossible that you could do so; but, knowing how
brave and enterprising you English are, Filippo said that he had great
faith