Clambering up hand over hand the three Jews ascended the rope, and disappearing over the battlements proceeded to haul up their new ally. The portion of wall allotted to their care proved to be about twenty yards in length, terminated at each end by two circular towers--the tower in Siloam, and “the tower that lieth out”--which effectually screened them from the observation of the sentinels disposed along the rest of the wall. “Can you not bring the damsel here within the hour, and so make an end of the matter this night?” asked Asaph anxiously. “Right gladly would I do so, but that I fear the finding of her will be a work of time, and within an hour from now day will be dawning. Can you hide this, my crested helmet, or ’twill betray me? and if you can find me a cloak----” Asaph entered one of the towers and returned with a Jewish cap, and with a gabardine, beneath which Crispus found effectual concealment for his military garb. “At what hour of the night do you begin your vigil?” “Ours is the third watch and lasts from the sixth hour till the ninth.” “Look for me a little after the sixth hour. As a sign that all is well fix a spear erect upon the middle of the rampart. Unless I see it standing out clear against the sky I will not draw near. And now farewell for a time. Keep to your oath, and it shall go well with you.” As Crispus descended the stone stairway that led to the ground he congratulated himself upon the ease with which he had contrived to enter the city. Would he be able, however, to quit it with similar ease? That depended chiefly upon the fidelity of his new associates, and since they could hardly betray him without betraying themselves he felt somewhat assured. Turning from the wall of Ophel he set off for the street of Millo on Mount Zion. When lying convalescent upon the roof of Miriam’s dwelling Crispus had had ample leisure to study the topography both of Ophel and Zion; this knowledge stood him now in good stead, and though, owing to the darkness, he once or twice missed his way, he finally found himself in the gray light of dawn before the gate of the house he sought. He was about to knock at the gate when it suddenly opened, and there appeared in the entrance the figure of a young woman terribly emaciated by famine. She was habited as if for a journey. “Is Vashti, daughter of Hyrcanus, within?” asked Crispus. The figure gave a smile. _Such_ a smile! One more fearful and weird he had never seen. “Don’t you know me, Crispus?” He started, looked at her again, and could scarcely recognize her, so fearfully had she changed from the beautiful maiden of other days. “Vashti, my poor girl, can this be you?” To see her looking thus caused the tears to come welling to his eyes. His weeping caused her likewise to weep. Then ever mindful of others, rather than of herself, she suddenly said, amid her tears: “Crispus, what do you here in this city of your enemies? Oh, if you should be discovered!”