The slave at once opened it.

Carpadon entered, and with a sudden movement threw one arm round the slave's neck and with the other stabbed him to the heart.

Then he opened the door wide, and said in a low tone: "Enter, all is safe." In a moment a dark mass of men poured in at the door.

The matter was more serious than Malchus had expected.

He had looked for the entry perhaps of three or four men, and had intended to close in behind them and cut them off; but here were a score at least, and how many more might be outside he knew not.