I dared not look round, however, to see what progress they made, nor did I answer Fresnoy, save by the same silent contempt, but stood watching the men before me with the eye of a fencer about to engage.

And I know nothing more keen, more vigilant, more steadfast than that.
It was well I did, for without signal or warning the group wavered a moment, as though retreating, and the next instant precipitated itself upon me.

Fortunately, only two could engage me at once, and Fresnoy, I noticed, was not of the two who dashed forward up the steps.

One of the strangers forced himself to the front, and, taking the lead, pressed me briskly, Matthew seconding him in appearance, while really watching for an opportunity of running in and stabbing me at close quarters, a manoeuvre I was not slow to detect.
That first bout lasted half a minute only.

A fierce exultant joy ran through me as the steel rang and grated, and I found that I had not mistaken the strength of wrist or position.