He, who a moment before had nodded over the fire, watching the flames grow, was transformed in five seconds into a furious man, tugging at the door, wrestling madly with the unyielding oak.

Wrestling, and still the noise rose! And still he strained in vain, back and sinew, strained until with a cry of despair he found that he could not win.

The door was locked, the key was gone! He was a prisoner! And still the noise that maddened him, rose.

He sprang to the right-hand window, the window nearest the commotion.

He tore open a panel of the small leaded panes, and thrust his head between the bars.