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。\"