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！"