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2 The people speedily increased in numbers, and a clamorous mob
3 soon surrounded the palace. The artist was at first unconscious
4 of the cause of the gathering, but he soon became aware by
5 their shouts and threats, that he was in some way the object of
6 their fury, and that he was consequently in a dangerous position.
7 He had no sooner, however, made up his mind that his best
8 policy would be to effect his escape, if possible, unperceived ;
9 when some of the ringleaders of the mob, who had made their
10 way through the palace, rushed upon the terrace, and attempted
11 to seize him. Being a strong and vigorous man, he succeeded in
12 wrenching himself from their grasp, and made his way to the stair-
13 case, which to his dismay he found crowded by the mob, who
14 were making their way up. Knowing that his only chance lay in
15 breaking through them as quickly as possible, he struck out right
16 and left, and having the advantage of being always uppermost
17 of those who attempted to stay his progress, he succeeded
18 in reaching the bottom with some few bruises. Here, however,
19 the affair presented a still more formidable aspect; for no
20 sooner had he reached the foot of the staircase, than he was
21 seized by the collar and other parts of his coat by half-a-dozen
22 of the mob, and saw at a little distance the glittering of several
23 of their weapons. He gave himself up for lost, and in the
24 energy of despair threw open his coat, and taking advantage
25 of a slight confusion at the moment (caused by a struggle
26 to get possession of the gold watch which he had held in his
27 hand, and had at the same instant relinquished to them), he
28 slipped from the coat, which was held on all sides, and pushing
29 away those in front of him, he succeeded in reaching the street ;
30 here his nether garments fell, in some unaccountable manner,
31 about his feet, and he stumbled and fell into a miry puddle
32 which was immediately before him : he instantly sprang to his
33 feet, and rushed to the entrance of a dark stable close adjacent.
34 The mob concluded they had now secured their prey, but they
35 were mistaken ; for Schofft had, fortunately, whilst passing this
36 stable on a previous occasion in my company, entered it, and
37 noticed its back entrance, which led into the bazaar; through