And the house stood on the ramparts where the first alarm must be given.

"Do you mean," she asked at last, her eyes fixed steadfastly on him, "that they are going to attack the town after midnight ?" "They are here now," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"They scaled the wall after the guard had gone round at eleven, and they are lying by tens and twenties along the outer side of the Corraterie, waiting for the hour and the signal." She passed her hand across her closed eyes, and looked again, perplexedly.

"And you," she said, "you?
I do not understand.

If this be so, what are you doing here ?" "Here ?" "Ay, here! Why have you not given the alarm in the town ?" "Why should I give the alarm ?" he retorted coolly.