towards the ramparts,' I said, wheeling them round
myself, 'and then they will be ready to start. They are all quiet
enough. You can let the Cid loose. And now listen to me, Simon,' I
continued. 'Wait here until you see me return, or until you see you are
going to be attacked. In the first case, stay for me, of course; in the
second, save yourself as you please. Lastly, if neither event occurs
before half-past five--you will hear the convent-bell yonder ring at
the half-hour--begone, and take the horses; they are yours, And one
word more,' I added hurriedly. 'If you can only get away with one horse,
Simon, take the Cid. It is worth more than most men, and will not fail
you at a pinch.'

As I turned away, I gave him one look to see if he understood. It was
not without hesitation that after that look I left him. The lad's
face was flushed, he was breathing hard, his eyes seemed to be almost
starting from his head. He sat his horse shaking in every limb, and had
all the air of a man in a fit. I expected him to call me back; but he
did not, and reflecting that I must trust him, or give up the attempt,
I went up the lane with my sword under my arm, and my cloak loose on my
shoulders. I met a man driving a donkey laden with faggots. I saw no one
else. It was already dusk between the walls, though light enough in the
open country; but that was in my favour, my only regret; being that as
the town gates closed shortly after half-past five, I could not defer my
attempt until a still later hour.

Pausing in the shadow of the house while a man might count ten, I
impressed on my memory the position of the particular window which bore
the knot; then I passed quickly into the street, which was still full of
movement, and for a second, feeling myself safe from observation in the
crowd, I stood looking at the front of the house. The door was shut. My
heart sank when I saw this, for I had looked to find it still open.

The feeling, however, that I could not wait, though time might present
more than one opportunity, spurred me on. What I could do I must do now,
at once. The sense that this was so being heavy upon me, I saw nothing
for it but to use the knocker and gain admission, by fraud if I could,
and if not, by force. Accordingly I stepped briskly across the kennel,
and made for the entrance.

When I was within two paces of the steps, however, someone abruptly
threw the door open and stepped out. The man did not notice me, and I