"And now, come, come."
He walked away, limping and followed by his acolytes, leaving behind them the religious implements on the block of stone.
Soon as the Jesuits moved away, Christian and Justin cautiously emerged from their hiding place, astounded at the secret they had just had revealed to them. Christian could still hardly believe that Lefevre, one of his oldest friends, and whose sentiments inclined him to the Reformation, had become a priest, and was one of the most ardent sectarians of Loyola.
"They are gone," Justin whispered to his companion; "I have not a drop of blood left in my veins. Let's flee!"
"What imprudence! We might run against those fanatics. I doubt not they will come back. Let us wait till they have departed."
"No, no! I will not stay here another minute. I am overcome with fear."
"Then let us try to escape by the other issue, which, as you were telling me, runs behind this rock. Come, be brave!"
"I am not sure whether that passage is not now obstructed. It would be dangerous to enter it without a light. A light would betray us. Let's return upon our steps."
More and more frightened, Justin walked rapidly towards the entrance of the quarry. Christian followed, unwilling to leave him alone. The moment they were about to emerge from the subterranean cavern, their ears were struck by the sound of human voices coming from above. The moon was now high in the sky, and lighted the only path that led to the abbey.
"We can not leave this place without being seen," observed Justin in a low and anxious voice. "Those men have gathered upon the platform above the entrance of the cave."