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Rh Gabrielle was roused, and after some words of caution from their guide they set out, Babillon leading them through narrow devious streets and alleys where they met no one.

"We are close to the spot now," he said at length. "Remain here in the shadow and I will go forward to see that all is well."

He was absent some few minutes.

"All seems quiet, monsieur," he reported to Gerard, and they started again. "The wall is yonder," he said, pointing to it. "I shall climb it and fix the rope in position, and I need not urge you to make all haste in following and to keep silent."

They watched him dart across the intervening space at top speed, stand for a moment in the deep shadow of the wall, and then begin the ascent. Gabrielle's heart began to beat fast with excitement and hope, and even the men's pulses quickened as his black shadow crept nearer and nearer to the parapet at the top.

"What is he doing?" whispered Gabrielle; for Babillon stopped suddenly and flattened himself against the black wall.

"It is nothing," answered Gerard. "See, his head shows above the top now. He is as cautious as he is daring, and does but seek to make sure all is well. Wait, he sees some one. Ah, and he has been seen, too!" he exclaimed, catching his breath. The call of one man to another came to their ears, and the figures of two soldiers running toward Babillon were silhouetted against the sky line.

At the same moment a jingle of arms was heard close at hand.

"One of the search parties," said Dubois in a deep undertone.

At that moment they saw Babillon spring on to the parapet, rush at one of the soldiers, and deal him a blow