As I crossed the threshold I stayed for a moment, for the place seemed very dark inside, and I could not see them.

But I was plain enough to them, of course, and before I could see that a blow was coming one smote me heavily on the helm and I fell forward, while they leapt out over my body into the open again.

Then I seemed to slip, and fell into nothingness as my senses left me.
Presently I came round, nor could I tell how long I had been alone, I heard far off shouts that were dull and muffled as if coming through walls, and then as my brain cleared, I saw that I was in what seemed to be a dungeon like those that Earl Wulfnoth had under Pevensea.

All round me were walls, and the light came in from a round hole above me.
When I saw that I knew that I had indeed fallen into this place, and my sword, too, lay on the floor where it had flown from my hand as I did so.

It was lucky that I had not fallen on it.
Now the shouts died away, and I thought that our men were chasing the last of the outlaws into the woods.