They halted at a little distance to reconnoitre, and perhaps to wonder why Martin, on whom they depended to conduct them, did not appear.
At last we could discern a movement and the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel. My orders were that no sign should be given by any of us in the house till they had expended their first shot. And this, as it happened, turned out to be good advice.
Presently we could see them ranged in a row, about twenty yards from the house. Then one stepped forward cautiously, and rapped at the door behind which we stood.
His only answer was a growl from Con.
“Boys,” whispered he, “there’s not a sound stirring. You’ll need to rap at yon window to find if his honour’s at home. All together now.”
Whereupon, with a hideous noise, seven guns were let off, and we heard the bullets crash into the room overhead.
One of the maids lost her nerve, and shrieked. But if they heard it, they thought nothing of it.
“Are you a goose?” cried Miss Kit angrily. “Stand steady now, like a woman.”
This reassured the girl, and at the same time I gave the order to fire.
Our object was not to kill but to frighten. And I knew well enough the women would aim wild. But for myself, I confess I had no scruples in covering the man who carried the lantern.