Armstrong’s horse, nearly done, staggered over the bridge and up the slight incline that led to the cathedral precincts. Across the grounds surrounding the church had been raised a great earthwork, and the battered west front of the sacred building showed that war had been no respecter of sculptured beauty. A lone pikeman paced up and down before the cathedral door, but paused as he saw this impetuous rider, whose horse had stumbled and fallen at the top of the rubbish heap. “What do you there?” shouted Armstrong, springing nimbly from his fallen horse. “Did n’t you hear the firing? Down to the street and help your comrades; the town is attacked! Run!” “I was told to stand here,” objected the bewildered guard. “Run, confound you! Do you question the word of an officer?” The man, trailing his pike, ran, and disappeared down the street. “Frances, Frances, are you within? Open the small door; it is I, Armstrong.” “Yes, yes, I knew you would come,” he heard her say, and then followed the welcome rattle of the bolts. But they must be speedily drawn if they were to clear the way for a man hard pressed. Over the barricade surged a wave of pikemen, twoscore or more, the mounted colonel behind them, urging them on with pungent oaths. “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!” shouted Armstrong, raising his sword aloft, standing under the arched doorway, steadfast as one of the stone knights beside him. “Sanctuary be damned!” cried the colonel, urging his horse up the embankment. “Down on him, you dogs, and take him dead or alive!” In spite of the cursing of the colonel; in spite of the battered condition of the great church; in spite of the deadening influence of the war, the cry of “Sanctuary” struck home to many of the hearts there opposed to the fugitive, and the pike-topped crest of the human wave paused for one brief instant, yet it was enough. Before the wave broke and fell, the small door gave and swung inward. As the pikes rattled against it, Armstrong had the bars and bolts in their places again. “Break down that door!” he heard the colonel roar outside, while the impetuous William clasped the girl in his arms and kissed her. “Lord, lassie, I’m glad to meet you again, although it’s just dark enough in this place for the seeing of any one.” The young woman shook herself free. “We wasted too much time at that before. Let it be a lesson to us. This place is a stable. Our horses are well fed, and the saddles are still on them.” “But is there a way out?” “Yes, a small door in the northeast corner. Come.” “It will be guarded, surely.” “No. I think they wanted me to escape, for they went out that way after barring the front door. But they did n’t think you would be with me when I took my leave. Come quickly, or they will be round to it from the front.”