He knocked a second time with the same weapon and in the same manner.
"Who knocks ?" demanded a voice.
"He who comes from Elisha," replied the traveller.
"What king do the sons of Isaac obey ?" "Jehu." "What house are they to exterminate ?" "That of Ahab." "Are you prophet or disciple ?" "Prophet." "Welcome then to the House of the Lord!" said the voice.
Instantly the iron bars which secured the massive portal swung back, the bolts grated in their sockets, half of the gate opened silently, and the horse and his rider passed beneath the sombre vault, which immediately closed behind them.
The person who had opened the gate, so slow to open, so quick to close, was attired in the long white robe of a Chartreuse monk, of which the hood, falling over his face, completely concealed his features..