Reluctantly Siggen agreed.
The sun had not yet risen, but its light was creeping into the sky as Siggen and Ostby stood huddled in a cold doorway across from the palace. All around them Ostby's discerning eye caught signs of life. But the signs did not disturb him. They were Siggen's men, and they were here at his request.
Suddenly a small splash of sound came from within the palace. A few minutes later two men, dressed in the uniform of the Imperator's guard, emerged. They were followed by four more. And during the next half-hour almost a hundred came from the palace. Some of them carried their belongings in their arms, and all of them were in a hurry.
"Something unusual is happening in there," Siggen said.
"Whatever it is, it suits our plans," Ostby said. "There can't be many guards left inside. Your men should have little trouble overpowering the remainder."
"I don't like it," Siggen said. "But every fear grows worse by not being looked at. Shall we go in?"
"Soon," Ostby answered. "Take me to the water-duct first."
"It's just around the corner," Siggen replied. "Come on."
They turned the corner of the building and Siggen paced off eight steps. "It should be right here," he said. He kicked in the dust until his foot struck a loose brick. "Right," he grunted.
Siggen bent and lifted the brick from its loose-fitting hole. "I supervised the job myself to see that it was done right," he said.