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172 no place of absolute safety for me or mine in the city. I might indeed take refuge in the British consulate, but I prefer to remain where I am, and put my trust in God."

"Then you and yours," returned the youth, with hesitation, "may want the aid of a stout and willing arm. Is it well that I should leave you at this crisis?"

"Fear not; I think there will be ample time for you to go and return, if you make haste," said the Jew.

"Then let me go at once," urged the other.

"Not so," answered Bacri; "we must proceed wisely as well as with caution.—"Go, Angela," he said to the maiden, who entered the room at that moment, "open the closet at the head of the terrace stair; you will find a thin knotted rope hanging there,—fetch it hither."

In a few minutes Angela returned with the rope.

"Sit thee down, pretty one," said Bacri kindly, "while I give this youth some directions. I will explain to you afterwards the cause of his being sent away.—This line, Mariano, is all you need. It is long enough to reach from the city walls to the ground. You will go towards the tower to the west of Bab-Azoun gate. There is an iron spike on the wall there, on which is fixed the head of your poor friend Castello. Fasten the rope to the spike and