The man shrieked, released his hold and fell crashing to the ground.

The besiegers broke into wild outcries.

Some of them ran in the direction whence the shot had come.

They thought they caught the glimpse of a figure running away in the darkness.

Pistols were fired and the vicinity was thoroughly searched, but they found nothing.
The shot, the man's cry overhead, the body crashing down to the ground, enlightened Marteau.