That's why I fixed this as the firing point.

Hullo, there's the bell.

What have they got to say ?" I snatched the receiver, and presently heard the cheerful voice of Higgs announcing that they had arrived safely in the little anteroom to Maqueda's private apartments.
"The palace seems very empty," he added; "we only met one sentry, for I think that everybody else, except Maqueda and a few of her ladies, have cleared out, being afraid lest rocks should fall on them when the explosion occurs." "Did the man say so ?" I asked of Higgs.
"Yes, something of that sort; also he wanted to forbid us to come here, saying that it was against the Prince Joshua's orders that we Gentiles should approach the private apartments of the Child of Kings.

Well, we soon settled that, and he bolted.

Where to?
Oh! I don't know; to report, he said." "How's Quick ?" I asked.
"Much the same as usual.