.

But his obstinate temperament immediately put aside the promptings of fear.

He was there because he had to guard his own.
Besides, it was too late now to think about such things.
Suddenly the morning stillness was broken by a sound like the deafening tearing of strong cloth.

"Shots, Master," said the Warden.

"Firing! It must be in the square." A few minutes after they saw running toward them a woman from the village, an old soul, dried up and darkened by age, who was panting from her great exertion, and looking wildly around her.