He leapt to his feet, and his hand, as he did so, grasped his sword, which lay ready beside him.
"What is it ?" he exclaimed.
"There is mischief afloat," Van Duyk said.

"There is a sound as of a crowd in front of the house.

I have heard the tramp of many footsteps." Rupert went to the window and looked out.

The night was dark, and the oil lamps had all been extinguished; but it seemed to him that a confused mass filled the place in which the house stood.
"Let me get the men under arms," he said, "and then we can open the window, and ask what they want." In two minutes he returned.
"Now, sir, let us ask them at once.

They are probably waiting for a leader or order." The merchant went to the window, and threw it open.
"Who is there ?" he asked.