To this gate, therefore, past the Rue Toussaint, he whirled his party daringly; and though the women grew pale as the sounds of riot broke louder on the ear, and they discovered that they were approaching instead of leaving the danger--and though Tignonville for an instant thought him mad, and snatched at the Countess's rein--his men-at-arms, who knew him, galloped stolidly on, passed like clockwork the end of the street, and, reckless of the stream of persons hurrying in the direction of the alarm, heedless of the fright and anger their passage excited, pressed steadily on.

A moment and the gate through which they had entered the previous evening appeared before them.

And--a sight welcome to one of them--it was open.
They were fortunate indeed, for a few seconds later they had been too late.

The alarm had preceded them.

As they dashed up, a man ran to the chains of the portcullis and tried to lower it.