ape in a body at the back, while they are
forcing the gateway."

"There is no door at the back," he answered, shaking his head.

"There are windows?"

"They are too strongly barred. We could not break out in the time," he
explained, with a groan.

I paused at that, crestfallen. But danger quickened my wits. In a
moment I had another plan, not so hopeful and more dangerous, yet worth
trying I thought, I told him of it, and he agreed to it. As he nodded
assent we emerged into a street, and I saw--for the grey light of
morning was beginning to penetrate between the houses--that we were
only a few yards from the gateway, and the small door by which I had
seen my brothers enter. Were they still in the house? Were they safe?
I had been away an hour at least.

Anxious as I was about them, I looked round me very keenly as we
flitted across the road, and knocked gently at the door. I thought it
so likely that we should be fallen upon here, that I stood on my guard
while we waited. But we were not molested. The street, being at some
distance from the centre of the commotion, was still and empty, with no
signs of life apparent except the rows of heads poked through the
windows--all possessing eyes which watched us heedfully and in perfect
silence. Yes, the street was quite empty: except, ah! except, for
that lurking figure, which, even as I espied it, shot round a distant
angle of the wall, and was lost to sight.

"There!" I cried, reckless now who might hear me, "knock! knock
louder! never mind the noise. The alarm is given. A score of people
are watching us, and yonder spy has gone off to summon his friends."

The truth was my anger was rising. I could bear no longer the silent
regards of all those eyes at the windows. I writhed under them--cruel,
pitiless eyes they were. I read in them a morbid curiosity, a patient
anticipation that drove me wild. Those men and women gazing on us so
stonily knew my companion's rank and faith. They had watched him
riding in and out daily, one of the sights of their street, gay and
gallant; and now with the same eyes they were watching greedily for the
butchers to come. The very children took a fresh interest in him, as
one doomed and dying; and waited panting for the show to begin. So I
read them.

"Knock!" I repeated angrily, losing all patience. Had I been foolish
in bringing him back to this part of the town where every soul knew
him? "Knock; we must get in