And perhaps a wild brown maiden
Will seek me—
Crash! boomed a knock on the street-door. And rap-rap-rap! it was repeated. Crash! again.
The music stopped. Nikka released his partner, and Kara stooped quickly and snatched up her knife, tossing the hair out of her eyes, heedless as usual of the rags that slipped off her shoulders.
Men looked at each other uncertainly. Hands crept to waist-sashes.
"Heh!" said Tokalji. "Who can it be in such a hurry at this hour?"'
Crash! The door resounded under the battering of a pistol-butt.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE BIG SHOW BEGINS
The women and children—all save Kara—withdrew into the shadows. The men gathered together. Tokalji crossed to the entrance.
"Less noise there!" he shouted threateningly. "This is a peaceful house."