On this our guide knocked with a peculiar postman-like rat-tat.
"Who is there ?" cried a gruff voice from within.
"It is I, McMurdo.

You surely know my knock by this time." There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys.

The door swung heavily back, and a short, deep-chested man stood in the opening, with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and twinkling distrustful eyes.
"That you, Mr.Thaddeus?
But who are the others?
I had no orders about them from the master." "No, McMurdo?
You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends." "He ain't been out o' his room to-day, Mr.Thaddeus, and I have no orders.

You know very well that I must stick to regulations.

I can let you in, but your friends must just stop where they are." This was an unexpected obstacle.