The gates were open, and I was told that they would not be closed until midnight; as so many were coming out and going in, and there was no hostile force anywhere in these parts.

Presently, numbers of gentlemen began to arrive with their retainers, and I soon went in with a party of footmen.
"The courtyard was full of men, and I was not long before I found the staircase leading up to the top of the wall, on the river side.
I went boldly up and, halfway, found a door partly open.

Looking in, I saw that it was evidently used by some gentlemen who had gone down, in haste, to join the party below; so I shut the door and waited.

I heard the troops start and guessed, from the quiet that followed, that the greater portion of the garrison had left.
"I felt pretty sure that there would be a sentry at your door, and waited until the time I thought he would be expecting a relief.
Then I went up.

He was in a mighty hurry to get down, and did not stop to see who I was, or to ask any questions; which was well for him, for I had my knife in my hand, and should have stabbed him before he could utter a cry.