Ellison sprang from the bed as soon as his feet were released, while Nick turned to help Chick and Patsy, on whom the men, now recovered from their confusion, were attempting to make a combined attack.
They had been joined in the meantime by Dempsey.
Chick recognized him at once, and he went at that man, who had already drawn a revolver, striking him in the face with the butt end of his own.
Ellison joined them instantly, and, weak as he was, quickly showed his fighting power.
Though there were seven of them in the room, the four soon overcame them, driving them before them out of the room and into the passageway.
There they were at the mercy of the four behind them, for the way was narrow, and in their efforts to escape they blocked each other against the wall.
There were broken heads in plenty, but they managed to reach the bridge, some of them escaping over it and some down the winding stairs, among them Clowes, who, recovering consciousness, ran away.
The four went down the stairs into the courtyard, but by the time they had reached it the men who had fled from them had entirely disappeared.
The coach was still standing there, the driver sitting contentedly on his box, while Lannigan was sitting on the pavement.
For a moment Nick could not imagine what he was doing there, and thought that he must be yet dazed with the blow he had given him.