Wogan called to one of them, jumped down from his saddle, and ran through the open doorway into a great hall with frescoed walls all ruined by neglect.

At the back of the hall a marble staircase, guarded by a pair of marble lions, ran up to a landing and divided.

Wogan set foot on the staircase and heard an exclamation of surprise.

He looked up.

A burly, good-humoured man in the gay embroideries of a courtier was descending towards him.
"You ?" cried the courtier.