I was in the belfry when you descended, but you did not perceive me, and I wished to be certain you were alone before I discovered myself." "You have ceased to roam the streets at night, and rouse the slumbering citizens to repentance ?" asked Leonard.
"For the present I have," returned Solomon Eagle.

"But I shall appear again when I am required.

But you shall now learn why I have brought you hither.

Look along those streets," he added, pointing to the thoroughfares opening in different directions.

"What see you ?" "I see men piling heaps of wood and coals at certain distances, as if they were preparing bonfires," replied Leonard.