A third followed as he hearkened: and on it a swelling wave of sound that rose with each second louder and nearer.
"Ay, 'tis known now!" Basterga resumed, in a tone more quiet, but not less confident.

"And I must go, my dear friend--who thought a minute ago to speed me for ever.

Know that it lies not in hands mean as yours to harm Caesar Basterga of Padua! And that to-night, of all nights, I bear a charmed life! I carry, Syndic, a kingdom and its fortunes!" He seemed to swell with the thought, and in comparison of the sickly man scowling darkly on him from the wall, he did indeed look a king, as he turned to the door, flung it wide and passed into the passage.

With only the street door between him and the hub-bub that was beginning to fill the night, he could measure the situation.

He had stayed late.