eard the sound and called to a companion to give him the
lantern. In an instant Nehushta was up again, and seizing Marcus by his
right arm, began to drag him through the opening, while Miriam, setting
her back against the swinging stone to keep it from closing, pushed
against his feet.

The lantern appeared round the angle of the broken masonry.

"For your life's sake!" said Miriam, and Nehushta dragged her hardest at
the heavy, helpless body of the fallen man. He moved slowly. It was too
late; if that light fell on him all was lost. In an instant Miriam took
her resolve. With an effort she swung the door wide, then as Nehushta
dragged again she sprang forward, keeping in the shadow of the wall. The
Jew who held the lantern, alarmed by the sounds within, entered hastily
and, catching his foot against the body of a dead man who lay there,
stumbled so that he fell upon his knee. In her hand Miriam held the key,
and as the guard regained his feet, but not before its light fell upon
her, she struck with it at the lamp, breaking and extinguishing it.

Then she turned to fly, for, as she knew well, the stone would now be
swinging on its pivot.

Alas! her chance had gone, for the man, stretching out his arm, caught
her about the middle and held her fast, shouting loudly for help. Miriam
struggled, she battered him with the iron and dragged at him with her
left hand, but in vain, for in that grip she was helpless as a child who
fights against its nurse. While she fought thus she heard the dull thud
of the closing stone, and even in her despair rejoiced, knowing that
until Marcus was beyond its threshold it could not be shut. Ceasing from
her useless struggle she gathered the forces of her mind. Marcus was
safe; the door was shut and could not be opened from the further side
until another iron was procured; the guard had seen nothing. But her
escape was impossible. Her part was played, only one thing remained for
her to do--keep silence and his secret.

Men bearing lights were rushing into the tower. Her right hand, which
held the iron, was free, and lest it should tell a tale she cast the
instrument from her towards that side of the deserted place which she
knew was buried deep in fallen stones, fragments of rotted timber and
dirt from the nests of birds. Then she stood still. Now they were upon
her, Caleb at the head of them.

"What is it?" he cried.

"I know not," answered the guard. "I heard a sound as of clanking arm