It broke Wogan's sword short off at the hilt.
Both men gave a cry of delight.

Wogan dropped the hilt.
"I have a loaded pistol, my friends; you have forgotten that," he cried, and plucked the pistol from his belt.

At the same moment he felt behind him with his left hand for the knob of the door.

He fired at the swordsman and his pistol missed, he flung it at the man with the stick, and as he flung it he sprang to the right, threw open the door, darted into the passage, and slammed the door to.
It was the work of a second.

The men sprang at him as he opened the door; as he slammed it close a sword-point pierced the thin panel and bit like a searing iron into his shoulder.