bruised and bleeding, there
fell upon her ear the echo of the chime once more;--ten thirty! The
sound infused new life into her slight form. Springing to her feet she
seized a bench near by, and with a power almost superhuman, raised the
heavy piece and struck the portal with all her might. A shower of dust
rewarded her. Another blow and a wide fissure appeared across the
panel. Once more the bench crashed against the door, and it gave way,
a shower of splinters flying into the hall below. Quickly she hastened
down the stairs and gained the street. People turned wondering looks
upon the flying girl as with strength born of desperation she sped
toward Parliament House. As she reached the neighborhood a group of
men who stood engaged in conversation, noted her, and one drew forth
his watch:--"There is one carrying a petition," said he; "but fifteen
minutes yet remain before the opening of the House."

The words quickened her energies; a quarter of an hour yet!

In a moment she was in sight of the buildings. It had been her
purpose to hasten to the hall, but suddenly flashed the thought that
her entrance might be barred, and questions be asked. No time now but
for one thing,--to seek her father in the cellar, and snatch the torch
from out his hand.... The clock marked the hour of half past ten when
Fawkes, having taken leave of Sir Thomas Winter, reached the door of
the dark room under Parliament House. As he had left it, so he found
it;--the portal locked, and silence reigning within where lay the
faggots and the gunpowder. The soldier of fortune glanced about. Save
for a few idlers the narrow passage flanking the cellar door was
unoccupied. Soon even those went on their way, and unobserved he
opened the portal and slipped into the fatal chamber, closing it
noiselessly behind him, but leaving it unbarred; for, the spark once
applied to the powder, there would be scant time for escape. The
cellar was in darkness save where, through the rusty bars of a small
window, a feeble ray of light struggled with the gloom, losing itself
amid the shadows.

Stepping carefully, that no footfall might reach the ears of any
above, he groped his way along the rough stone wall. Upon reaching a
depression in the masonry, he took up from its hiding place a lantern,
a rude affair formed of iron, pierced by countless holes, and within
it a tallow candle, which, when he lighted it, sputtered fitfully and
sent forth a sickly yellow light, the