### 287

The dagger sinks deeply into his chest, knocking him to the ground. He screams at the sudden pain and his cry alerts a patrol of guards on the floor above. You leave your hiding place and run towards the dying soldier, your hand outstretched to snatch the strongroom key from his belt. But before you reach the man you hear the hobnailed boots of the patrol storming down the stairs behind. The leading pair are armed with bows, and as they reach the bottom of the staircase, they kneel and take aim. ‘Surrender or die!’ shouts their sergeant-at-arms.

If you wish to raise your hands in surrender, turn to 267.

If you choose to defy his order, turn to 95.