That left nineteen.

Four he had already either killed outright or effectively disabled; so that fifteen remained him.

The task of dealing with those other fifteen was utterly beyond him.

Presently, no doubt, the two now opposing him would be reinforced by others.

So that if any possible way out existed, he had best set about finding it at once.
He wondered could he cut down these two, make an end of Fortunio, and, running for it, attempt to escape through the postern before the rest of the garrison had time to come up with him or guess his purpose.