These were cut down before they could leap to their feet, and the party then rushed at the entrance to the dwelling-house.
The retainers of the castle, aroused by the sudden din, rushed from their sleeping places, but taken completely by surprise, were unable to offer any resistance whatever to the strong force which had, as if by magic, taken possession of the castle.

The surprise was complete, and with scarce a blow struck they found themselves in possession.

The baron himself was seized as he rose from his bed, and his rage at finding himself in the power of his enemy was so great as for some time to render him speechless.

Sir Adelbert briefly dictated to him the conditions upon which only he should desist from using his power to hang him over his own gate.

The baron was instantly to issue orders to all his own retainers and tenantry to lend their aid to those of Sir Adelbert in putting the castle of the latter into a state of defence and mending the breach which existed.