Drink your fill!" The next instant he leaped up the stairs and retraced his steps.

It was a long distance from the wine-cellar to the great room, but through the grating that gave entrance to the courtyard the sound of shots had penetrated.

One of the ruffians, committing the woman to the care of the remaining man, started to follow his comrades.

He had his pistol in his hand.

He went noisily, muttering oaths, feeling that something was wrong but not being able to divine exactly what.