I shall report you, tomorrow, for having forcibly made an entrance into private premises." "That you are perfectly at liberty to do," Desmond replied quietly; "but certainly I shall not withdraw, until I see this lady, and ascertain from herself whether your story is a true one." "Then your blood be on your own head!" the man said.
"At them, men! you know your orders--to kill anyone who attempted to interfere with us, no matter what his rank." The five men rushed together upon the intruders.
"Hold the gate, Mike," Desmond said, "and they cannot get behind us." They stepped back a pace or two, and drew their swords.

The position was a favourable one, for the two halves of the gate opened inwards, and so protected them from any but an attack in front.

The leader rushed at Desmond, but the latter guarded the sweeping blow he dealt at him, and at the first pass ran him through the body; but the other four men, enraged rather than daunted by the fall of their leader, now rushed forward together, and one of them, drawing a pistol, fired at Desmond when within three paces.
The latter threw his head on one side, as he saw the pistol levelled.

The action saved his life, for it was well aimed, and the bullet would have struck him full between the eyes.

As it was, he felt a sharp sudden pain, as it grazed his cheek deeply.