The inanimate body of Juan Munoz had been discovered by a patrolling body of soldiery, who carried it to the guard-house.  The stabs were found to be of minor consequence, and the blow on the head, although it had caused a very severe wound, had occasioned only a temporary loss of consciousness.  It must be borne in mind, that two hours had nearly elapsed between the assault upon Munoz and the entrance into the house by the robbers, which time had probably been spent by them in various efforts to gain access.  Strong restoratives, judiciously applied, soon brought back animation, and, shortly afterward, Munoz could give a confused narrative of what had befallen him.  The officer on duty at once saw through the scheme, and gave orders to proceed to the mansion of Don Diego, which they reached at the precise moment when Donna Ignazia, with an armed body of her own servants, was leading them to the dining saloon.  The summons of the officer at the front door was followed by a dead silence on the part of the robbers:  but when they heard the measured tramp of the soldiery on the stair-case, they sought for means of instant flight.  This, however, had been provided for; a portion of the military had surrounded the house, while the others, reinforced by the servants, approached.  The only chance then left to the brigands was to cut their way through, or sell their lives as dearly as possible.  In an instant the huge oaken doors of the saloon were closed and barred, the lights were extinguished, the windows opened, and everything made ready for the last desperate chance.  Fortune favored them; for the soldiery, not anticipating a leap of their enemies from the high windows, withdrew their sentinels from there in order to make them guard the side and rear outlets of the mansion.  Two of the bold ruffians had already made their descent by means of tablecloths, tied together, when the alarm was given.  The soldiers rushed to the spot—­a third robber was clinging to the frail chance for life, and was rapidly descending, but a well-directed shot bereft him of strength, and, after a few frantic efforts to retain his hold, he fell heavily to the ground.  His two comrades made a firm stand:  but vain was their boldness against the numbers of assailants, and in a few moments they fell, grievously wounded, into the hands of the victors.

Two more only remained of this desperate band, and the fact of their being shielded by strong bolts massive walls, rendered them no insignificant enemies.  Ladders were placed against the windows, but the true aim of the keen-eyed brigands made four successive shots tell with appalling effect, since each of them laid low one of their assailants.  At last an attack upon the doors was resolved upon, and soon the heavy blows of the ponderous axe resounded from the massive panels.  One door gave way:  there was a stunning crash, followed by reports of fire-arms, cries of agony, and the dull sound of falling victims.  Again the numbers were successful, but in this instance the victims knew no mercy, and, when at last the tumult ceased, the mutilated corpses of the two brigands could hardly be recognized from three of their late assailants.