"They are taking it down now, your honour. Shall I give them another shot?"
"No, Mike; let them go. The lesson has been good enough."
The sentry had also run into the room, on hearing the shot.
"It is all over," Desmond said. "Seeing that you prevented them from getting in at the door, they tried the window. Mike has shot one of them."
There was a sound of feet and loud talking in the passage, and as Desmond went out, the landlord, two of the serving men, and several of those staying at the hotel ran up.
"What is it, senor? We heard a shot."
"Yes; a fellow tried to enter my window, by means of a ladder; but fortunately my man heard him, and shot him before he came in. No doubt it was some prowling marauder, who, seeing my window open, thought that there was a chance of plunder."
"Carrambo!" the landlord exclaimed, "then we shall have enquiries, and all sorts of trouble."
"I don't think you will," Desmond said quietly. "I fancy he had some friends down below, and they will probably carry his body and the ladder away, and, if you hold your tongues, nothing more will be heard of it.
"Mike, do you and the sentry take a lantern and go down and see."