I hoped that Michael was still off his guard, believing me to be safe in bed.

However that might be, we gained the top of the hill without accident, and found ourselves on the edge of the moat where it sweeps under the road, separating the Old Castle from it.

A tree stood on the edge of the bank, and Sapt, silently and diligently, set to make fast the rope.

I stripped off my boots, took a pull at a flask of brandy, loosened the knife in its sheath, and took the cudgel between my teeth.

Then I shook hands with my friends, not heeding a last look of entreaty from Fritz, and laid hold of the rope.