He was now in a quarter fearfully assailed by the pestilence.

Most of the houses had the fatal sign upon their doors--a red cross, of a foot long, with the piteous words above it, "Lord have mercy upon us," in characters so legible that they could be easily distinguished by the moonlight, while a watchman, with a halberd in his hand, kept guard outside.
Involuntarily drawing in his breath, Leonard quickened his pace.

But he met with an unexpected and fearful interruption.

Just as he reached the narrow passage leading from Duck-lane to Bartholomew-close, he heard the ringing of a bell, followed by a hoarse voice, crying, "Bring out your dead--bring out your dead!" he then perceived that a large, strangely-shaped cart stopped up the further end of the passage, and heard a window open, and a voice call out that all was ready.

The next moment a light was seen at the door, and a coffin was brought out and placed in the cart.