Now and then he raised his head, disturbed by the fluttering and screams of the night birds, attracted by the extraordinary brilliancy of the countless wax tapers.

The time passed slowly in the darkness; the silvery sound of the warriors' hammers re-echoed through the vaulting.

Luna got up and visited the markers to record his visit.
Ten o'clock had struck when Gabriel heard the wicket of the Puerta de Santa Catalina open quickly but without violence, as though a key had been used.

Luna remembered the bell-ringer's offer, but soon he heard the sound of many steps magnified by the echo as if a whole host were advancing.
"Who goes there ?" shouted Gabriel, rather alarmed.
"It is us, man," answered from the darkness the husky voice of Mariano.

"Did I not tell you we should come down ?" As they came into the crossways, the light from the high altar fell full upon them, and Gabriel saw the Tato and the shoemaker with the bell-ringer.