As he caught it, he ran full into a priest.
"Out of the way, then, curse you!" Before the astonished priest, who was a young man, could rise from the pavement where the impact had sent him sprawling, the assailant had disappeared in the alley.

He gained the door of the low tavern, flung it open, pushed by every one, upsetting several, all the while the bloody rapier in one hand and the mask held in place by the other.

The astonished inmates of the tavern saw him leap like a huge bird and vanish through one of the windows, carrying the sash with him.

But a nail caught the grey cloak, and it fluttered back to the floor.

Scarce a moment had passed when the pursuers crowded in.