mad; but his memory was charged with more perilous stuff; and in

view of the detonation, the smoke and the flight of the ill-

assorted trio, his mind was lost among mysteries. So they

continued to thread the maze of streets in silence, with the speed

of a guilty flight, and both thrilling with incommunicable terrors.

In time, however, and above all by their quick pace of walking, the

pair began to rise to firmer spirits; the lady ceased to peer about

the corners; and Challoner, emboldened by the resonant tread and

distant figure of a constable, returned to the charge with more of

spirit and directness.

'I thought,' said he, in the tone of conversation, 'that I had

indistinctly perceived you leaving a villa in the company of two

gentlemen.'

'Oh!' she said, 'you need not fear to wound me by the truth. You

saw me flee from a common lodging-house, and my companions were not

gentlemen. In such a case, the best of compliments is to be

frank.'

'I thought,' resumed Challoner, encouraged as much as he was

surprised by the spirit of her reply, 'to have perceived, besides,

a certain odour. A noise, too--I do not know to what I should

compare it--'

'Silence!' she cried. 'You do not know the danger you invoke.

Wait, only wait; and as soon as we have left those streets, and got

beyond the reach of listeners, all shall be explained. Meanwhile,

avoid the topic. What a sight is this sleeping city!' she

exclaimed; and then, with a most thrilling voice, '"Dear God," she

quoted, "the very houses seem asleep, and all that mighty heart is

lying still."'

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