ront of which they paced up and down with naked
swords. No doubt the priests within were equally vigilant.

The Parsee advanced no farther. He perceived at once that it was
impossible to force an entrance to the temple, and he led his
companions back again. Sir Francis and Mr. Fogg also understood that
no more could be done in that direction. They stopped and consulted
together in undertones.

"Let us wait a little," whispered the brigadier. "It is only eight
o'clock. Those sentries may go to sleep later."

"That is possible, certainly," said the Parsee.

So they all lay down under the trees and waited.

The time passed very slowly. At intervals the guide would go forward
and reconnoitre. But the guards were always there; the torches burned
brightly still, and an uncertain glimmer penetrated through the
windows of the temple from the inside.

They waited until nearly midnight. There was no change in the
situation. The sentries were sleepless, and it became evident that
they intended to keep watch all night. They were probably quite sober.
It now became necessary to try another plan and to cut through the
walls of the pagoda. There was then the chance of finding the priests
awake inside, watching their intended victim as closely as the
soldiers guarded the door.

After a final consultation, the guide expressed himself ready to
proceed. Mr. Fogg, Sir Francis, and Passe-partout followed. They made
a long detour with the intention of approaching the pagoda from
behind. About half-past twelve they gained the walls without having
encountered anyone. Evidently no watch was kept at the side, but it
was equally evident that there was neither window nor door at the
back.

The night was dark. The moon, then in her last quarter, appeared
scarcely above the horizon, and was covered frequently by thick
clouds. The trees also served to render the darkness more profound. It
was enough to have reached the wall, an opening must be discovered or
made. To accomplish this, Mr. Fogg and his companions had nothing but
their pocket-knives. Fortunately, the temple walls were only composed
of bricks and wood, which would not be very hard to cut through. Once
the first brick had been taken out, the rest was easy.

They set about the work immediately, and as noiselessly as possible.
The Parsee and Passe-partout worked away to loosen the bricks in a
space about two feet wide. The labour was continued, and they were
getting on capitally,