security. The dreadful Thing in their midst, that was veiled from
their knowledge by womanly beauty, was a centre of pleasant
interest. There, before him, signally impressive, was poor old
Trella, weakest and feeblest of all, in fond nearness. And a
moment might bring about the revelation of a monstrous horror--a
ghastly, deadly danger, set loose and at bay, in a circle of girls
and women and careless defenceless men: so hideous and terrible a
thing as might crack the brain, or curdle the heart stone dead.

And he alone of the throng prepared!

[Illustration: White Fell's Escape]

For one breathing space he faltered, no longer than that, while
over him swept the agony of compunction that yet could not make
him surrender his purpose.

He alone? Nay, but Tyr also; and he crossed to the dumb sole
sharer of his knowledge.

So timeless is thought that a few seconds only lay between his
lifting of the latch and his loosening of Tyr's collar; but in
those few seconds succeeding his first glance, as lightning-swift
had been the impulses of others, their motion as quick and sure.
Sweyn's vigilant eye had darted upon him, and instantly his every
fibre was alert with hostile instinct; and, half divining, half
incredulous, of Christian's object in stooping to Tyr, he came
hastily, wary, wrathful, resolute to oppose the malice of his
wild-eyed brother.