A flying stone struck the boom of the punkah, and thumped on the table.

Through the open windows, from the road, came a wild chorus of yells, caught up and echoed by many voices in the distance.
"Shutters!" called Heywood.

"Quick!" As they slammed them home, more stones drummed on the boards and clattered against the wall.

Conches brayed somewhere, followed by an unaccountable, sputtering fusillade as of tiny muskets, and then by a formidable silence.

While the banqueters listened in the smoky room, there came a sullen, heavy sound, like a single stroke on a large and very slack bass-drum.
"_Kau fai!_" shrilled the voices below; and then in a fainter gabble, as though hurrying off toward the sound,--"_kau fai!_" "The Black Dog," said Heywood, quietly.