"Some of them," I answered.
"And they know who you are, we understand."
"Yes."
"Then if you meet oneshoot! He'll shoot you if you don't shoot first."
My hand trembled with excitement as I clutched the pistol in my pocket. My mouth was dry. I could hear my heart thumping. Cautiously I followed Ross along the corridor.
Suddenly a loud report almost deafened me. At the same instant Ross fell forward on to his face, with a hideous crashI can hear it now as I think of it. A moment later a man dashed past me, and tore furiously down the stairs. Springing after him I fired wildly as he ranoncetwice. I had missed him and he was gone. In one of the rooms I could distinctly hear sounds of a scuffle. There were blows, some oaths and a muffled groan. Now the house was suddenly in uproar. The deafening sound of several shots echoed along the corridors. Two men were running towards me. Wildly I flung out my arm, the revolver in my hand aimed point blank at one of them, and then
Something struck me from behind, a fearful blow, and, stumbling, I lost consciousness.
I was in a room, almost in darkness. Like shadows two figures moved noiselessly about. They were figures I didn't recognize. My head ached fearfully. Where was I? What had happened? I remember groaning feebly, and seeing the two figures quickly turn towards me.
Again all was blank.