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The boy trembled like a leaf, and did not attempt to stir; but

all at once was heard the first sound of the bell, and

immediately after, a thundering peel burst forth. "The wicked are

always cowards," says a Milanese proverb; alarmed at the sound,

the bravoes let go in haste the arms of Menico, and fled away

hastily to the old house, to join the main body of their

comrades. Menico, finding himself free, also fled, by the way of

the fields, towards the belfry, naturally supposing he would find

some one there. As to the other villains above stairs, the

terrible sound made the same impression on them; amazed and

perplexed, they hit one against the other, in striving to find

the nearest way to the door. Nevertheless, they were brave, and

accustomed to confront any known danger; but here was something

unusual, an undetermined peril, and they became panic-struck. It

now required all the superiority of Griso to keep them together,

so that there should be a retreat, and not a flight.