He met my gaze with a calm, self-controlled smile.
"Why," said I, "I'm on my way to bed, Darrell.

Let me pass, I beg you." "A moment later will serve," said he.
"Not a moment," I replied testily, and caught him by the arm.

He was stiff as a rock, but I put out my strength and in another instant should have thrown him aside.

But he cried in a loud angry voice, "By the King's orders, no man is to pass this way." Amazed, I fell back.

But over his head, some twenty yards from us, I saw two men embracing one another warmly.