They had managed to break out in some way and had returned to the great hall to seize again their captives and to wreak their vengeance upon their betrayer.

They had got at the wine and were inflamed with drink as well as revenge and savage passion.

They had realized, of course, that some enemies were outside but they had not clearly grasped the situation.

All they thought of at the time were the people in the great hall.

They came crowding through the big doorway, several of them handling pistols and all of them shouting savage and fearsome cries of revenge and triumph.
Instantly the pistols were presented, the triggers pressed and half a dozen bullets swept through the room.