30 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.
Ferrari explained how he had found the place open and how he had himself bolted the doors after him. " No doubt," he said, " your servant heard the noise, and has gone out to see what is the matter." Then he related what had happened, whereupon the host said, " My son, this is of serious moment ; surely it is the breaking up of the peace of Czarovna ; every house will be searched, but thou couldst not have entered one where thy secret is so safe. The Ghetto has not always been the abode of secu- rity. Deborah, do thou undo the doors and await thy handmaid's coming. Our brother Ferrari's secret is our secret, and we pledge ourselves to that before God."
Deborah bowed her head, and as she lifted up her face the old man kissed her upon the forehead.
" Follow me," he said, taking up a lamp and addressing Ferrari, who followed him straight, the old man leading the way through various passages and lavishly furnished rooms, into what appeared to be a cloth warehouse, and thence into a narrow courtyard, shut in by the tall front of the warehouse and overhanging rock. In a corner of the dark and gruesome cul de sac was what appeared to be a well, by the dark side of which the old man paused as if they had arrived at their destination.
" Be not afraid, my son, I mean thee well," said the old man : " a wary correspondent of mine, two days ago, gave me a note of warning that trouble was falling upon Eliza- bethgrad, and that the blast of persecution might even blow in this direction, but although I showed my wife this refuge yesterday for the first time I did not think I might have to use it, and I take thy coming as a sign from God."
" But where is the retreat, my father ? " asked Ferrari, the damp mouldy odor of the place promising anything but a comfortable sanctuary.
" It is at hand. Wouldst thou have it easy of access?
