He struck with his sword, and some one fell.

Then he turned to run.

Two masked familiars sprang at him, one landing on his back, one clinging to his neck.

With a desperate effort he cast himself into the water, dragging them with him.

One they saw no more, for Smith had stabbed him, the other floated up near the boat, which already was some yards from the quay, and a sailor battered him on the head with an oar, so that he sank.
Smith had vanished also, and they thought he must be drowned.