They were trying to negotiate the blank of the entrance to the Catholic Soldiers' Hut in the protecting wall which guarded the pavement just beyond the cathedral.

As Sir Robert came within earshot, one of them stumbled through it and collapsed profanely.
He halted for a second irresolutely, with the officer's hesitancy at meddling with a drunken man.
The fellow on the ground tried to raise himself, and got one elbow on the gravel.

This brought him into such a position that he stared straight at the illuminated crucifix across the path, and but little farther in.
"Lor', blimey, Joe," he said, "I'm blasted drunk, I am! Thought I was in old Wipers, I did, and see one of them blessed cru-crushifixes!" The other, rather less away, pulled at his arm.

"So yer did, ole pal," he said.

"It's there now.