Wogan uttered a cry; he heard an answering shout in the room, he clung to the handle, setting his foot against the wall, and was then stabbed in the back.

For his host was waiting for him in the passage.
Wogan dropped the door-handle and turned.

That last blow had thrown him into a violent rage.

Possessed by rage, he was no longer conscious of wounds or danger; he was conscious only of superhuman strength.

The knife was already lifted to strike again.