“The students?”
“They have gone to a discussion at the Hungarian pension. Sometimes they do not return before daybreak.”
“Good I Then we can work without fear. A dozen men will suffice, four to enter the rooms of Pan Andrew, four to quiet the tenants if need be, and four to stand at the gate. If the guard should come, we can silence him.”
“Will you see the stairs?”
“Yes, they live——”
“Up one flight.” They ascended the stairs, Stas in the lead. It seemed to the stranger that the staircase swayed a little beneath their feet.
“We must take care here,” he muttered. “It seems as if a weight would bring this down.”
Just then a dog began to bark in the court below.
“What is that?” demanded the man, turning on Stas. “You did not tell me of a dog.”
“He is chained,” replied the other. “Will you give me the gold now?”