Days ago, Selim and I cached the rope at the top of the cliff, anticipating just such an emergency as this, and intending to use it if we could reach the chateau in no other way.

I figured that they would cut off all other means of getting into your grounds.
"Neenah came up from the village ahead of the attacking party, out of breath and terribly frightened.

We didn't waste a second, let me tell you.

Grabbing up our guns, we got out through the rear and made a dash across the stable yard.

It was near midnight.