As he did so the pile of fagots fell asunder, and twelve men armed with bow and pike leaped out.

The men-at-arms standing near, lounging in the courtyard, gave a shout of alarm, and the garrison, surprised at this sudden cry, ran to their arms.

At first they were completely panic-stricken.

But seeing after a time how small was the number of their assailants, they took heart and advanced against them.

The passage was narrow, and the twelve men formed a wall across it.