"I struck better than I knew!" and he laughed triumphantly.

Then he went on: "Down with your weapons there! I'm your master now! Down with them, I say!" I believe they would have obeyed, but as he spoke came new things.
First, there arose a distant sound, as of shouts and knockings from the other side of the chateau.

My heart leapt.

It must be my men, come by a happy disobedience to seek me.

The noise continued, but none of the rest seemed to heed it.