The only way in was by the verandah, but the door at the west end had been locked, and the ladder had disappeared.

Now, of his party three were lame, one lacked an arm, and one was a girl; besides, there were the guns and cartridges to transport.

Moreover, at more than one point before the verandah was reached the route was commanded by a point on the ridge near the old Tower, and that had been Spidel's position when Dougal made his last reconnaissance.

It behoved to pass these points swiftly and unobtrusively, and his company was neither swift nor unobtrusive.
McGuffog had a genius for tripping over obstacles, and Sir Archie was for ever proffering his aid to Saskia, who was in a position to give rather than to receive, being far the most active of the party.

Once Dougal had to take the gamekeeper's head and force it down, a performance which would have led to an immediate assault but for Sir Archie's presence.