Climbing on the roof of this he got upon the wall, and ran along it until behind the house of the syndic.

He had no fear of being observed, for the attention of all in the houses in the street he had left would be directed to the conflict below.
The sound of musketry had already ceased, telling that the work of slaughter was well nigh over, when Malcolm dropped into the courtyard of the syndic; the latter and his wife gave a cry of astonishment as the lad entered the house, breathless and pale as death.
"Can you shelter me awhile ?" he said.

"I believe that all my countrymen are killed." "We will do our best, my lad," the syndic said at once.

"But the houses will be ransacked presently from top to bottom." "Let him have one of the servant's disguises," the wife said; "they can all be trusted." One of the serving men was at once called in, and he hurried off with Malcolm.
The young Scotchmen had made themselves very popular with the servants by their courtesy and care to avoid giving unnecessary trouble, and in a few minutes Malcolm was attired as a serving man, and joined the servants who were busy in spreading the tables with provisions, and in broaching a large cask of wine to allay the passions of the Imperialists.
It was not long before they came.

Soon there was a thundering knocking at the door, and upon its being opened a number of soldiers burst in.
Many were bleeding from wounds.