"A diversion in the rear--and 'tis done!" "In Heaven's name stop!" cried Marcadel, and he gripped Claude's sleeve.
"A diversion, ay!" he continued.

"But a moment too soon or a moment too late--and where will we be ?" He spoke in vain.

His words were wasted on the air.

Claude, not to be restrained, had entered the staircase.

Pike in hand he felt his way over the bodies that choked it; by this time he was half-way down the stairs.
Marcadel hesitated, waited a moment, listened; then, partly because success begets success, and courage courage, partly because he would not have the triumph taken from him, he too risked all.