"I am well aware of that, and do not mean to be left in their power." "The telegraph has, no doubt, already put the authorities here on the alert. My very arrival may have been noted. It will not do for us to be seen together." "Ha! I did not think of that!" Lyon was more deeply disturbed. "You had better go from here at once. Where is your baggage?" "I ordered it to be sent up." "Let me see after that. At once pass over to the Levee; go on board the first boat that is leaving, whether bound up the river or for Galveston. Only get off from the city, and then make your way to Mexico. You will find me there." Fear had now seized upon both of the men, and each saw consternation in the other's face. "I am off at the word," said Leach, as he grasped the hand of his companion. "Be discreet, self-possessed, and wary." Lyon spoke in a warning voice. "I will. And you take good heed to the same advice." The men were yet standing face to face, each grasping the other's hand, when both partly turned their heads to listen. There was a sound of feet at the upper end of the passage, just at the landing, and it came rapidly nearer. A breathless pause marked the deep interest of the listeners. A few moments of suspense, in which Lyon and his companion grew deadly pale, and then the noisy footsteps were silenced at their very door. A smothered sound of voices was followed by a trial of the lock, and then by a decided rapping. But no answer was made to the summons. Noiselessly, Mr. Lyon drew from a deep side-pocket a loaded revolver; but the hand of his companion was laid quickly upon his arm, and his lips, in dumb show, gave the word-- "Madness!" Lyon shook him off, and deliberately pointed his weapon toward the door. "Hallo, there! Are you asleep?" This loud call came after repeated knocking and rattling. But there was no response, nor the slightest indication of life within the chamber. "They are here, I am certain." These words were distinctly heard by the anxious inmates. "Then we must break in the door," was resolutely answered. "Oh, for heaven's sake, put up that pistol!" hoarsely whispered Leach. "Such resistance will be fatal evidence against us. Better open the door and put a bold face upon it." "Too late!" was just whispered back, when the door flew open with a crash, and the body of the man who had thrown himself against it with a force greatly beyond the resistance, fell inward upon the floor. At the same instant, Lyon exclaimed, in a quick, savage voice-- "Back, instantly, or you are dead men!"