The ladder reached exactly to the window, and as his eyes reached the level Rupert peered anxiously in.
At a table, on which burned a candle, sat a man with a huge bowl of liquor and a brace of pistols before him.

On a pallet bed in a corner lay a figure, which Rupert felt sure was that of Maria.
Rupert doubted not in the least that the order to the watcher was to kill her at the first alarm.

Twice he raised his pistol, twice withdrew it.

If he did not kill the man on the spot, Maria's life would be clearly forfeited.

Under such circumstances he dared not fire.
After a moment's thought he gave a sharp tap at the window, and then shrank below the level of the window, and with both his pistols pointed upwards, he waited.