“Amine, they are at the door, in consultation.  You can see them now, without risk.  I thank them, for they will convince you that I have told the truth.”

Amine, without reply, went into the front room and looked out of the window.  She returned, and laying her hand upon Philip’s arm, she said—­

“Grant me your pardon for my doubts.  I fear nothing now but that my father may return too soon, and they seize him.”

Philip left the room again, to make his reconnaissance.  The robbers did not appear to have made up their mind—­the strength of the door defied their utmost efforts, so they attempted stratagem.  They knocked, and as there was no reply, they continued to knock louder and louder:  not meeting with success they held another consultation, and the muzzle of a carbine was then put to the keyhole, and the piece discharged.  The lock of the door was blown off, but the iron bars which crossed the door within, above and below, still held it fast.

Although Philip would have been justified in firing upon the robbers when he first perceived them in consultation at the door, still there is that feeling in a generous mind which prevents the taking away of life, except from stern necessity; and this feeling made him withhold his fire until hostilities had actually commenced.  He now levelled one of the carbines at the head of the robber nearest to the door, who was busy examining the effect which the discharge of the piece had made, and what further obstacles intervened.  The aim was true, and the man fell dead, while the others started back with surprise at the unexpected retaliation.  But in a second or two a pistol was discharged at Philip, who still remained leaning out of the casement, fortunately without effect; and the next moment he felt himself drawn away, so as to be protected from their fire.  It was Amine, who, unknown to Philip, had been standing by his side.

“You must not expose yourself, Philip,” said she, in a low tone.

She called me Philip, thought he, but made no reply.

“They will be watching for you at the casement now,” said Amine.  “Take the other carbine, and go below in the passage.  If the lock of the door is blown off, they may put their arms in perhaps, and remove the bars.  I do not think they can, but I’m not sure; at all events, it is there you should now be, as there they will not expect you.”

“You are right,” replied Philip, going down.

“But you must not fire more than once there; if another fall, there will be but two to deal with, and they cannot watch the casement and force admittance to.  Go—­I will reload the carbine.”

Philip descended softly and without a light.  He went up to the door and perceived that one of the miscreants, with his arms through the hole where the lock was blown off, was working at the upper iron bar, which he could just reach.  He presented his carbine, and was about to fire the whole charge into the body of the man under his raised arm, when there was a report of fire-arms from the robbers outside.