They shall be utterly consumed.'" "Amen!" exclaimed the third person, who stood near him, in a deep voice, and with something of a foreign accent.
"Not so loud, friends," rejoined the first speaker.

"Let us set about the task.

I will ascertain that no one is on the watch." With this he moved towards the water-works, and skirting the circular walls, to satisfy himself that all was secure, he returned to his companions, and they proceeded to the principal entrance to the place.
Noiselessly unlocking the gates, the leader of the party admitted the others into an open space of some extent, in the midst of which was a large reservoir of water.

He then gave each of them a small key, and bidding them use despatch, they began to turn the cocks of the leaden pipes connected with the reservoir, while he hastened to the further end of the inclosure, and employed himself in a similar manner.

In this way, and in less than a quarter of an hour, the whole of the cocks were stopped.
"And now give me the keys," said the leader.
Taking them as they were offered, he added his own to the number, and flung them as far as he could into the reservoir, laughing slightly as the noise of the splash occasioned by their fall into the water reached the ears.
"They will not be found till this pool is drained," he observed to his companions.