The knight took a great key from his pocket, and reaching past the stem of the tree, with some difficulty opened the door.

"Dismount," he commanded.

I obeyed.

He turned my horse's head away from the tower, gave him a terrible blow with the flat side of his sword, and sent him madly tearing through the forest.
"Now," said he, "enter, and take your companion with you." I looked round: knight and horse had vanished, and behind me lay the horrible shadow.

I entered, for I could not help myself; and the shadow followed me.