We could hear them creeping and whispering out there beyond the doors; but till after the shot from the soldier's pistolet they had not dared to show us any overt act of hostility.
Suddenly Jorian, once more facing the door, now that the passage was clear, perceived by the rustling of the straw that it began to open gradually.

He waited till in another moment it would have been wide enough to let in a man.
"Back there, dog, or I fire!" he bellowed.

And the door was promptly shut to.
After that there came another period of waiting very difficult to get over.

I wished with all my heart for a cross-bow or any shooting weapon.
Much did I reproach myself that I had not learned the art before, as I might easily have done from the men-at-arms about the Wolfsberg, who, for my father's sake (or Helene's), would gladly have taught me.
The women folk in the room behind my back were now up and dressed.
Indeed, the Lady Ysolinde would have come out and watched with us, but I besought her to abide where she was.

Presently, however, Helene put her head without, and seeing me stand by the door with my sword, she asked if I wanted anything.