"It isn't this window, at any rate," said Frank, in a whisper.
This remark encouraged them for a moment. No, it was not their window, but the attic window. They watched in silence now, and saw the four brigands go up.
Overhead they heard the sound that announced them as they stepped in through the window.
One brigand!
Two brigands!!
Three brigands!!!
Four brigands!!!!
And now the momentary relief which they had experienced at seeing that the attack was not made upon their window was succeeded by the darkest apprehensions, as they heard the entrance of those four brigands, and knew that these desperate men were just above them. They were there overhead. The hatchway was open. Through that opening they could drop down one by one.
The same thought came to all of them, and with one common impulse they moved softly to where the step-ladder lay on the floor. Frank made this movement first; the others followed.
They stood ranged along the step-ladder.