Half a dozen times they was nigh stumbling over me as they searched about in the gardens and vineyards; but at last I made my way safe up to the convent and rang at the bell.

Presently the little window in the door opened, and a monk said, 'Who is there ?' I kept out of his sight and said in Spanish: 'A fugitive who seeks sanctuary.' Thinking I was only somebody who had stabbed three or four men in a row, the monk opened the door.

He gave an exclamation when he saw my uniform when I entered, and would have slammed the door in my face; but I pushed in.

Then he gave a shout, and five or six other monks came running up and set up a jabbering, and stood staring at me as if I had been a wild beast.

Then they wanted to turn me out; but I wouldn't budge, and as I had my sword still in my hand they didn't know what to do.
"At last some chap in authority came down.