Ashespokeasuddensilencehadfallen，asilenceasstartlingashadbeentheshoutofwarning。Somefreshattackuponthehousewhichtheprisonerscouldnotsee，butwhichmustbevisibletothoseinthehousesoppositewasgoingforward。
\"Perhapstheyareontheroof，\"’whisperedFordjoyfully。\"They’llbethroughthetrapinaminute，andyou’llbefree！\"
\"No！\"saidthegirl。
Shealsospokeinawhisper，asthoughshefearedProtheromighthearher。Andwithherhandsheagainpointed。Cautiouslyabovethetopoftheladderappearedtheheadandshouldersofaman。Heworeapoliceman’shelmet，but，warnedbythefateofhiscomrades，hecamearmed。Balancinghimselfwithhislefthandontherungoftheladder，heraisedtheotherandpointedarevolver。Itwasapparentlyatthetwoprisoners，andMissDalesprangtooneside。
\"Standstill！\"commandedFord。\"HeknowswhoYOUare！Youheardthatyellwhentheysawyou？Theyknowyouaretheprisoner，andtheyaregladyou’restillalive。ThatofficerisaimingatthewindowBELOWus。He’safterthemenwhomurderedhismates。\"
Fromthewindowdirectlybeneaththemcamethecrashofarifle，andfromthetopoftheladdertherevolverofthepoliceofficerblazedinthedarkness。Againtheriflecrashed，andthemanontheladderjerkedhishandsabovehisheadandpitchedbackward。Fordlookedintothefaceofthegirlandfoundhereyesfilledwithhorror。
\"Whereismyuncle，Pearsall？\"shefaltered。\"Hehastworifles——forshootinginScotland。Wasthatariflethat\"Herlipsrefusedtofinishthequestion。
\"Itwasarifle，\"Fordstammered，\"butprobablyProthero\"
EvenashespokethevoiceoftheJewroseinashriekfromthefloorbelowthem，butnotfromthewindowbelowthem。ThesoundwasfromthefrontroomopeningonSowellStreet。Intheawedsilencethathadsuddenlyfallenhisshriekscarriedsharply。Theyweremorelikethesnarlsandravingsofananimalthantheoutcriesofaman。
\"TakeTHAT！\"heshouted，withafloodofoaths，\"andTHAT，andTHAT！\"
Eachwordwaspunctuatedbythereportofhisautomatic，andtotheamazementofFord，wasinstantlyansweredfromSowellStreetbyascatteredvolleyofrifleandpistolshots。
\"Thisisn’tafight，\"hecried，\"it’sabattle！\"
WithMissDaleathisside，heranintothefrontroom，and，raisingtheblind，appearedatthewindow。Andinstantly，asattheotherendofthehouse，therewas，atsightofthewoman’sfigure，atumultofcries，ashoutofwarning，andagreatroarofwelcome。
Frombeneaththemamanranintothedesertedstreet，andintheglareofthegas—lampFordsawhiswhite，upturnedface。Hewaswithoutahatandhisheadwascircledbyabandage。ButFordrecognizedCuthbert。\"That’sFord！\"hecried，pointing。\"Andthegirl’swithhim！\"HeturnedtoagroupofmencrouchinginthedoorwayofthenexthousetotheoneinwhichFordwasimprisoned。
\"Thegirl’salive！\"heshouted。
\"Thegirl’salive！\"Thewordswerecaughtupandflungfromwindowtowindow，fromhouse—toptohouse—top，withsavage，jubilantcheers。FordpushedMissDaleforward。
\"Letthemseeyou，\"hesaid，\"andyouwillneverseeastrangersight。\"
Belowthem，SowellStreet，glisteningwithrainandsnow，layempty，butateitherendofit，heldbackbyanarmyofpolice，wereblackmassesofmen，andbeyondthemmoremenpackeduponthetopsoftaxicabsandhansoms，stretchingasfarasthestreet—lampsshowed，andontheroofsshadowyformscreptcautiouslyfromchimneytochimney;andinthewindowsofdarkenedroomsopposite，frombehindbarricadesofmattressesandupturnedtables，riflesappearedstealthily，tobelostinasuddenflashofflame。Andwiththeseflasheswereothersthatcamefromwindowsandroofswiththereportofaburstingbomb，andthat，ontheinstant，turnednightintoday，andthenleftthedarknessmoredark。
Fordgaveacryofdelight。
\"They’retakingflash—lightphotographs\"hecriedjubilantly。\"Welldone，youPressmen！\"Theinstinctofthereporterbecamecompelling。\"Ifthey’realivetodevelopthosephotographsto—night，\"heexclaimedeagerly，\"Cuthbertwillsendthembyspecialmessenger，intimetocatchtheMAURETANIAandtheREPUBLIC
willhavethembySunday。Imayn’tbealivetoseethem，\"headdedregretfully，\"butwhatafeaturefortheSundaysupplement！\"
Astheeyesofthetwoprisonersbecameaccustomedtothedarkness，theysawthatthestreetwasnot，asatfirsttheyhadsupposed，entirelyempty。Directlybelowtheminthegutter，wheretoapproachitwastoinviteinstantdeathfromProthero’spistol，laythedeadbodyofapoliceman，andatthenearerendofthestreet，notfiftyyardsfromthem，werethreeotherprostrateforms。Buttheseformswereanimate，andalivetogoodpurpose。Fromapublic—houseonthecornerarowofyellowlampsshowedthemclearly。Stretchedonpiecesofboard，andmatscommandeeredfromhallwaysandcabs，eachofthethreemenlayatfulllength，nursingarifle。Theirbeltedgrayovercoats，flat，visoredcaps，andthesetoftheirshouldersmarkedthemforsoldiers。
\"FortheloveofHeaven！\"exclaimedFordincredulously，\"they’vecalledouttheGuards！\"
Asunconcernedlyasthoughfacingthebuttsatarifle—range，thethreesharp—shooterswerefiringpoint—blankatthewindowsfromwhichProtheroandPearsallwerewagingtheirwartothedeathupontheinstrumentsoflawandorder。Besidethem，onhiskneesinthesnow，ayoungmanwiththesilverhiltofanofficer’sswordshowingthroughtheslitinhisgreatcoat，wasgivingcommands;andattheotherendofthestreet，abrotherofficerineveningdresswasdirectingothersharp—shooters，bendingoverthemlikethecoachofatug—of—warteam，pointingwithwhite—glovedfingers。OnthesideofthestreetfromwhichProtherowasfiring，huddledinadoorway，wereagroupofofficials，inspectorsofpolice，firechiefsinbrasshelmets，moreofficersoftheGuardsinbear—skins，and，wrappedinafurcoat，theyouthfulHorneSecretary。Fordsawhimwavehisarm，andathisbiddingthecordonofpolicebroke，andslowlyforcingitswaythroughthemassofpeoplecameahugetouring—car，itstwoblazingeyessendingbeforeitgreatshaftsoflight。Thedriverofthecarwastednotimeintakinguphisposition。Dashinghalf—waydownthestreet，heasswiftlybackedtheautomobileoverthegutteranduponthesidewalk，sothatthelightsinfrontfellfullonthedoorofNo。40。Then，coveredbythefirefromtheroofs，hesprangtothelampsandtiltedthemuntiltheythrewtheirshaftsintothewindowsofthethirdstory。
Prothero’shiding—placewasnowasclearlyexposedasthoughitwereheldinthecircleofaspot—light，andatthesuccessofthemaneuverthegreatmobraisedanapplaudingcheer。Butthetriumphwasbrief。Inaminutetheblazinglampshadbeenshatteredbybullets，andoncemore，saveforthefierceflashesfromriflesandpistols，SowellStreetlayindarkness。
ForddrewMissDalebackintotheroom。
\"Thosemenbelow，\"hesaid，\"aremad。Prothero’salwaysbeenmad，andyourPearsallismadwithdrugs。Andthesightofbloodhasmadethemmaniacs。Theyknowtheynowhavenochancetolive。
There’snofearorhopetoholdthem，andonelifemoreorlessmeansnothing。Iftheyshouldreturnhere\"
Hehesitated，butthegirlnoddedquickly。Iunderstand，\"shesaid。
\"I’mgoingtotrytobreakdownthedoorandgettotheroof，\"
explainedFord。\"Myhopeisthatthisattackwillkeepthemfromhearing，and\"
\"No，\"protestedthegirl。\"Theywillhearyou，andtheywillkillyou。\"
\"Theymaytakeitintotheircrazyheadstodothat，anyway，\"
protestedFord，\"sothesoonerIgetyouaway，thebetter。I’veonlytosmashthepanelsclosetothebolts，putmyarmthroughthehole，anddrawtheboltsback。Then，anotherblowonthespringlockwhenthefiringisloudest，andweareinthehall。Shouldanythinghappentome，youmustknowhowtomakeyourescapealone。
Acrossthehallisadoorleadingtoanironladder。Thatladderleadstoatrap—door。Thetrap—doorisopen。Whenyoureachtheroof，runwestwardtowardalightedbuilding。\"
\"Iamnotgoingwithoutyou，\"saidMissDalequietly;\"notafterwhatyouhavedoneforme。\"
\"Ihaven’tdoneanythingforyouyet，\"objectedFord。\"ButincaseIgetcaughtImeantomakesuretherewillbeothersonhandwhowill。\"
Hepulledhispencilandaletterfromhispocket，andonthebackoftheenvelopewroterapidly:\"IwilltrytogetMissDaleupthroughthetrapintheroof。YoucanreachtheroofbymeansoftheapartmenthouseinDevonshireStreet。Sendmentomeether。\"
Inthegroupsofofficialshalfhiddeninthedoorwayfartherdownthestreet，hecouldmakeoutthebandagedheadofCuthbert。
\"Cuthbert！\"hecalled。Weightingtheenvelopewithacoin，hethrewitintotheair。Itfellinthegutter，underalamp—post，andfullinview，andatoncethetwomadmenbelowsplashedthestreetarounditwithbullets。But，indifferenttothebullets，apolicemansprangfromadarkareawayandflunghimselfuponit。Thenextmomenthestaggered。Thenlimping，butholdinghimselferect，heranheavilytowardthegroupofofficials。TheHomeSecretarysnatchedtheenvelopefromhim，andheldittowardthelight。
Inhisdesiretolearnifhismessagehadreachedthoseontheoutside，Fordleanedfaroverthesillofthewindow。Hisimprudencewasallbutfatal。Fromtheroofoppositetherecameasuddenyellofwarning，fromdirectlybelowhimaflash，andabulletgrazedhisforeheadandshatteredthewindow—paneabovehim。
Hewasdelugedwithashowerofbrokenglass。Stunnedandbleeding，hesprangback。
Withacryofconcern，MissDalerantowardhim。
\"It’snothing！\"stammeredFord。\"ItonlymeansImustwastenomoretime。\"Hebalancedhisironrodashewouldapikestaff，andaimeditattheupperhalfofthedoortothehall。
\"Whenthenextvolleycomes，\"hesaid，\"I’llsmashthepanel。\"
Withthebarraisedhigh，hismusclesonastrain，hestoodalertandpoised，waitingforashotfromtheroombelowtocallforthanansweringvolleyfromthehouse—tops。Butnosoundcamefrombelow。
Andthesharp—shooters，waitingforthemadmentoexposethemselves，heldtheirfire。
Ford’smusclesrelaxed，andheloweredhisweapon。Heturnedhiseyesinquiringlytothegirl。\"What’sTHISmean？\"hedemanded。
Unconsciouslyhisvoicehadagaindroppedtoawhisper。
\"They’reshortofammunition，\"saidthegirl，inatoneaslowashisown;\"ortheyarecomingHERE。\"
Withaperemptorygesture，Fordwavedhertowardtheroomadjoiningandthenrantothewindow。
Thegirlwasleaningforwardwithherfaceclosetothedoor。Sheheldthefingerofonehandtoherlips。Withtheotherhandshebeckoned。Fordrantoherside。
\"Someoneismovinginthehall，\"shewhispered。\"Perhapstheyareescapingbytheroof？No，\"shecorrectedherself。\"Theyseemtoberunningdownthestairsagain。Nowtheyarecomingback。Doyouhear？\"sheasked。\"Itsoundslikesomeonerunningupanddownthestairs。Whatcanitmean？\"
FromthedirectionofthestaircaseFordheardacuriouscreakingsoundasofmanylightfootsteps。Hegaveacryofrelief。
\"Thepolice！\"heshoutedjubilantly。\"They’veenteredthroughtheroof，andthey’regoingtoattackintherear。You’reSAFE！\"hecried。
Hesprangawayfromthedoorand，withtwoswingingblows，smashedthebroadpanel。Andthen，withacry，hestaggeredbackward。Fullinhisface，throughthebreakhehadmade，sweptahotwaveofburningcinders。Throughthebrokenpanelhesawthehallchokedwithsmoke，thestepsofthestaircaseandthestair—railswrappedinflame。
\"Thehouseisonfire！\"hecried。\"They’vetakentotheroofandsetfiretothestairsbehindthem！\"Withthefullstrengthofhisarmsandshouldershestruckandsmashedtheironbaragainstthedoor。Buttheboltsheld，andthrougheachfreshopeninghemadeinthepanelstheburningcinders，drawnbythedraftfromthewindows，sweptintotheroom。Fromthestreetamightyyellofconsternationtoldthemthefirehadbeendiscovered。MissDalerantothewindow，andtheyellturnedtoagreatcryofwarning。Theairwasrentwithfranticvoices。\"Jump！\"criedsome。\"Goback！\"
entreatedothers。Thefirechiefranintothestreetdirectlybelowherandshoutedatherthroughhishands。\"Waitforthelife—net！\"
hecommanded。\"Waitfortheladders！\"
\"Ladders！\"pantedFord。\"Beforetheycangettheirenginesthroughthatmob\"
Throughthejaggedopeninginthedoorhethrusthisarmandjerkedfreetheupperbolt。Aninstantlaterhehadkickedthelowerpanelintosplintersandwithdrawnthesecondbolt，andatlast，underthesavageonslaughtofhisironbar，thespringlockflewapart。
Thehalllayopenbeforehim。Ononesideofittheburningstaircasewasawellofflame;athisfeet，themattingonthefloorwasburningfiercely。Heracedintothebedroomandreturnedinstantly，carryingablanketandatoweldrippingwithwater。Hepressedthetowelacrossthegirl’smouthandnostrils。\"Holditthere！\"hecommanded。Blindedbythebandage，MissDalecouldseenothing，butshefeltherselfsuddenlywrappedintheblanketandthenliftedhighinFord’sarms。Shegaveacryofprotest，butthenextinstanthewasrunningwithherswiftlywhiletheflamesfromthestair—wellscorchedherhair。Shewassuddenlytumbledtoherfeet，thetowelandblanketsnatchedaway，andshesawFordhangingfromanironladderholdingouthishand。Sheclaspedit，andhedrewherafterhim，theflamesandcinderspursuingandsnatchinghungrily。
Butaninstantlaterthecoldnightairsmoteherintheface，fromhundredsofhoarsethroatsayellofwelcomegreetedher，andshefoundherselfontheroof，dazedandbreathless，andfree。
Atthesamemomenttheliftingfire—ladderreachedthesillofthethird—storywindow，andafireman，shieldinghisfacefromtheflames，peeredintotheblazingroom。Whathesawshowedhimtherewerenolivestorescue。Stretchedonthefloor，withtheirclothingincindersandtheflameslickingattheflesh，werethebodiesofthetwomurderers。
Abullet—holeintheforeheadofeachshowedthatself—destructionandcremationhadseemedabetterchoicethanthegallowsandagraveofquick—lime。
Ontheroofabove，twoyoungpeoplestoodbreathingheavilyandhappily，staringincredulouslyintoeachother’seyes。Runningtowardthemacrosstheroofs，stumblingandfalling，weremanyblue—coated，helmetedangelsofpeaceandlawandorder。
\"HowcanItellyou？\"whisperedthegirlquickly。\"HowcanIeverthankyou？AndIwasangry，\"sheexclaimed，withself—reproach。\"I
didnotunderstandyou。\"Shegavealittlesighofcontent。\"NowI
thinkIdo。\"
Hetookherhand，andshedidnotseemtoknowthatheheldit。
\"And，\"shecried，inwonder，\"IDON’TEVENKNOWYOURNAME！\"
Theyoungmanseemedtohavelosthisconfidence。Foramomenthewassilent。\"Thename’sallright！\"hesaidfinally。Hisvoicewasstillalittleshaken，alittletremulous。\"Ionlyhopeyou’lllikeit。It’sgottolastyoualongtime！\"