"Now is the time," said I in a whisper; and I quickly descended the
staircase, followed by Isabel. By the light of a smothered flambeau,
I could perceive that the alcalde and the friar lay senseless, whether
from fear or from wounds, I could not tell. The friar's habit had
somehow slipped off his shoulders; and thinking it might be useful as a
disguise, I picked it up, and stumbling also upon one of the boxes of
relics, I hid it in my bosom: there was no obstacle to our escape--the
doors all stood open; and in a few moments we found ourselves outside of
the tower, while the retreating steps of the coffin-bearers were heard
dying away in the distance. We lost not a moment's time, but immediately
proceeded quickly along the mole, which we had all to ourselves; the
terrified coffin-bearers had no doubt spread the alarm, for as we
approached every post was in its turn abandoned; the alarmed sentinels
throwing down their weapons, and flying before us; and I took care not
to neglect the opportunity of arming myself against need, with a good
sabre.

* * * * *




THE NATURALIST.

* * * * *


THE ORNITHORHYNCUS PARADOXUS.