Half an hour later one of the men rose noiselessly and left the room.

Two or three minutes afterwards he returned with the host, the man who had gone out before, and two others.
"Seven against two," Hector thought to himself.

"However, we shall have the advantage of a surprise." He touched Paolo with his foot to assure himself that he had not really gone off to sleep, but the responsive movement showed that he also was on his guard.

The man who had first left the room and one of the others drew their long knives and stepped quietly forward, while the others, also with bared weapons, prepared to support them if necessary.

Hector waited until the two leaders were close, then he exclaimed sharply, "Now!" at the same moment throwing forward his hand with the pistol.