"Teja, Earl Teja! Help, help! A Roman! Save the Queen! There, near the wall on the right--a Roman!"
In a moment Teja stood at Syphax's side.
"There!" cried Syphax. "I will protect the women in the church!" and he rushed into the temple.
"Stand, Roman!" cried Teja, and rushed after Perseus.
But Perseus would not stand. He ran along the wall; he reached the gap, but in his hurry he could not force himself through. With the strength of despair he swung himself up upon the wall, and was already drawing up his feet to jump down on the other side, when Teja cast his battle-axe, and struck him on the head.
Perseus, together with his secret, fell back dead.
Teja bent over him; he could distinctly see the features of the dead man.
"The Archon Perseus," he said, "the brother of Johannes."
He left the corpse, and at once ascended the steps which led into the church.
On the threshold he was met by Mataswintha. Behind her came Syphax, and Aspa with the lantern.