"I don't suppose that there are any more of them in the house.

Still, we may as well keep our swords in readiness." Picking up one of the torches that had fallen from their assailants' hands, and holding it above his head with his left hand, while his right held his sword ready for action, Desmond entered the house.

The sitting rooms on both sides of the hall were empty, but, upon entering the kitchen, he found an old woman crouching in a corner, in the extremity of fear.
"Stand up.

I am not going to hurt you," Desmond said.

"Lead us, at once, to the chamber of the lady we heard call out." The old woman rose slowly, took down a key hanging from a peg, and, leading the way upstairs, opened a door.
"Keep a watch upon the crone," Desmond said, as he entered.
As he did so, his eye fell upon a girl of some seventeen years old.