’It is the Chief,’ Fumenta replied. ’You have heard the news, and know that the hour has come? Is all prepared?’ ’All is prepared, Chief,’ answered the man, saluting. ’We have had everything ready and waiting for you since the news came; for we thought that you might be here to-night. Do you wish to speak to the men before we start?’ ’Yes. I have with me some one they will be very surprised to see. Lead the way.’ With another salute, the man turned and led the way towards the door from which he had just emerged. *CHAPTER XXXV.* *HOW IVANTA GAINED A FLEET.* Fumenta and those with him passed through the doorway into a spacious, well-lighted vestibule, in which other doors could be seen leading to the interior of the building. In particular, there were two large ones in the centre immediately opposite to that by which they had entered. These were evidently very jealously guarded, for at the entrance of the strangers some armed men, who had been standing in front of them, advanced in a rather threatening manner. The one who had gone out to meet Fumenta and had brought him in, spoke to the officer in charge of these guards. ’Throw open the doors, friend Medro. It is the Chief.’ ’The Chief! And who besides, good Lymento?’ asked the officer cautiously. ’One for whom I will be answerable,’ answered Fumenta brusquely. ’Waste not time in idle talk. This will be a critical night for us; and we have no time to lose.’ Without other reply than a salute, the officer turned on his heel and ordered his men to throw open the doors. And as they fell back he advanced and cried in sonorous tones, ’Friends all, the Chief!’ Fumenta stepped past him, conducting Ivanta, and called out in ringing accents, ’And with him the King! Friends, I bring into your midst King Ivanta. He has been deserted by those he trusted. He is, indeed, actually now being hunted by those upon whom he has conferred benefits, and stands at the present moment in sore need of trustworthy friends. I assured him he would find them here. Tell me, have I promised aright?’ Before them was a great hall filled with people in varied dresses, as though they had been brought together from many different parts. There were ragged, rough, but stalwart men, very much of the style of Fumenta’s followers; and there were others, both soldiers and civilians, of different grades, some plainly, some richly dressed. It was, in fact, a meeting gathered from far and near of those of the inhabitants of Iraynia who had secretly sympathised with Fumenta and his outlaws, and who had been hoping for, almost expecting, some such ’burst up’ as had now taken place between Agrando and Ivanta. And they had been secretly planning to rise, when that time arrived, against Agrando themselves, and endeavour to throw off his yoke once and for all.