At that moment the light was turned off, and there was a rush made to get beyond his reach. Capel also took advantage of the total darkness to step back, but he held the weapon ready for a cut, should an attack be made. As he stood there, panting, a low whisper rose from the direction of the door, and he just caught its import, "Give me the light." There was a click directly after, and then from about the middle of the room the dazzling light of the bull's-eye shone out full upon Capel as he stood with upraised sword, while his assailants were in the dark. "Now, then," said the voice which he recognised as that of the man who had held the pistol to his mouth, "throw down that tool." "Give up, you scoundrel!" cried Capel. "You can't escape." "Can't we?" said the man, between his teeth, "More can't you. Now, then, will you throw down that sword?" "No," said Capel, furiously. "You've walked into a trap, so give up." "Go on," said the voice of the lesser man. At that moment there was a bright flash of light, a sharp report, and Capel felt a sensation as if he had been struck a violent blow on the left shoulder, which half spun him round, while the round, glistening disc of light seemed to have darted back to the side of the bed. Half stunned, but full of fight, Capel turned and made for the light once more, when there was another flash, a quick shot, and this time the blow seemed to have fallen on the top of his head, and, stunned and helpless, the sword dropped from his hand, and he fell on a chair, and from that on to the floor. "You've killed him! You've killed him!" "Good job, too. Think I wanted my skin turned into pork crackling with that sword? Hold yer row, will yer, or--" "We shall be taken and hung. Oh, my arm!" "Look here, my dear pal," said the little man; "if you want to preach, just wait till this job's done. Throw the light on the door, Dick." "I dunno which is doors and which is windows, with all these curtains. Oh, that's it, is it? Quiet, will you?" He stood listening attentively. "It's all right. There isn't a sound." "Let's go then, at once." "What, empty? Not me, eh, Dick?" "'Taint likely. Wait till I've got two more cartridges in. That's it-- Now then, business." "But this poor fellow?" "He's not killed, only quieted. Now, then, what is there here?" They made a hurried search of the room, but with the exception of the silver tops of the bottles of the Colonel's dressing-case, there was nothing to excite their cupidity. Then Capel's pockets were searched, but watch and purse were in his chamber, while, though the Colonel's room was full of costly objects, they were not of the portable nature that would have made them valuable to the men. "Now then," said the tall man, quickly, "it's of no use; we must go down. Where are the keys?" The little man took a bunch from the bag. "But, suppose the old man's awake?" whispered the shivering ex-servant, faint from his wound.