“Think they’ll come this way?” he asked.
“Too dangerous!” said the Duke, who was still peering out of the window as far as he dared. “They know we are armed — who would be brave enough to be first man round that doorway?”
A single shot rang out; a volley came from the bushes below in answer. De Richleau gave a sudden laugh. “Rex is all right,” he said; “at least, not dead; he may be wounded. How many shots have you in that pistol?”
Simon unclipped the magazine. “Five,” he said, after some hesitation.
“Good,” the Duke’s voice came back. “It is our turn to make a demonstration now. Stay where you are.”
Simon heard him shuffling round the room. Next moment De Richleau’s hand was on his arm.
“Is there a staircase leading below?” he asked. “One flash of your torch — no more; and hold it sideways, at arm’s length from your body.”
The little ray of light pierced the thick darkness, showing a landing outside the doorway and a narrow wooden staircase. Simon switched out the light and edged out of the room. For another brief moment he flashed it on; nothing was stirring.
“Let us go down,” said the Duke. “Keep as quiet as possible.”
Simon followed him; the wooden stairs creaked abominably. On the floor below the faint light from a broken window made the landing just perceptible.