A whistling, a clash and clatter--shivers of glass flew over their heads, and a long, dark something, like the shaft of a lance, sped past them, knocked against something, rebounded, and fell at their feet. The same instant Lilly felt a rush of cold air on her forehead, which aroused her from the stupefaction of surprise. One of the two upper window panes had been broken. No living creature was to be seen. But the balcony door yonder, which had been closed a moment before, now showed a dark opening, and was swinging shut. "A narrow escape," murmured Walter, and stooped to pick up the mysterious thing from the floor, while the fragments of glass gritted beneath his feet. "The pea-shooter," Lilly faltered. "A mercy he didn't happen to have his fowling-piece at hand," said Walter, "else we'd be riddled into sieves." With the back of his hand he wiped away the sweat of fright standing on his forehead in bright beads. None the less he was a brave little chap, and knew on the instant what to do. He sprang to the wardrobe under which Tommy had burrowed, fetched out his army revolver, and tested all its parts. Then he said: "Now, please go into Leichtweg's room, and lock yourself in. The colonel's simply gone to load his gun. Then he'll be here." But Lilly refused. Her wrath against him had completely evaporated. "Let me stay with you, let me stay with you!" she begged, clasping his shoulders. "Impossible, child," he replied, with the old masterful lift to his brows. "What's coming is men's business." "Then I'll stand out in the hall, and receive him at your door." He bit his lips. "Well," he said, "if you take it that way, I can't help myself. Sit down, please." He removed the key from the outside of the door, stuck it in the lock on the inside and cautiously turned it several times. "Between loading and shooting," he said then, "there's a great big difference--but the devil knows." He took out his watch, and listened intently for sounds from the outside, while he counted, "a half--one--one and a half--two. Probably can't find his cartridges." Then commandingly: "Do sit down. You'll need your legs to-day." Lilly sank in one corner of the sofa, and he seated himself in the other, placing the watch between them on the bumpy seat. Both counted now with their eyes fastened on the second hand. "Two and a half--three--three and a half--four--four and a half--five minutes." Not a sound, save the wind howling in the bare branches. Then it seemed to them they heard the trot of horses starting in the courtyard and dying away on the other side of the gates. "Whom's he gone to fetch?" asked Walter. "We're not ready for seconds yet." Red suns danced before Lilly's eyes. The ceiling began to rise and sink. Walter kept on counting. "Seven--eight--eight and a half." Nothing. "Nine--nine and a half--ten--" Suddenly he emitted a faint whistle, and grasped his revolver.