With equal rapidity, he gathered up the crowbars, chisels, etc.
All this time the firing continued.
The door would soon give way and the enemy pour into the courtyard.
Was our hero mad, thus to remain behind while his friends escaped?
No.
His conduct was part of a desperate and deep-laid design.
He saw that if he had followed them in their rapid flight, the Turks would be sure to perceive that the stone had been removed, and this would at once enable them to discover the retreat of the whole party.
By remaining outside, he could restore the stone to its original appearance.
And this he had now done.
But his own safety?