“Let them,” said Lady Gowan coolly.
But she started as one of the narrow side windows was shivered by the butt of a musket, and the fragments of glass fell inside with a tinkling sound.
“That’s right; now reach in and shoot back the bolts.”
A hand and arm were thrust in through the hammered iron scroll work which covered the glass in the place of iron bars across the narrow window for protection, rendering it impossible for a man to creep past.
But the arm came freely right up to its owner’s shoulder, and in the gloom could be seen feeling about, the hand strained here and there to reach bolt, bar, or lock. Vainly enough, for they were far out of reach; and at last, after several more angry orders, it was withdrawn.
“Try the other window!” cried the voice of the officer in command. “Quick, men; don’t shilly-shally. Use your butts.”
Crash, crash and tinkle, tinkle went the broken glass as it fell upon the marble floor beyond the mat; but the hole made was not in the best place, and there was another crash as the butt of a musket was driven through higher up, and simultaneously there was the loud report of the piece used as a battering-ram.
“What are you doing?” roared the officer.
“Went off, sir.”
“Went off, idiot! You must have touched the trigger.”