"Here, here's a groat then," exclaimed the smith, bringing out his
last coin as he saw the other moving away.

"Pooh, a sorry groat!" said the keeper, "Make it two, and then!"

"But I must get in to-night," expostulated Edmund, "I have urgent
business with Sir Ronald Bury. It is important, it is a matter of the
State."

At the mention of Sir Ronald's name the key was inserted in the lock,
and by the time the sentence was completed the great gate was swung
open, and the visitor found himself, to his great satisfaction, beyond
the barrier.

"I was but jesting," humbly said the man as he re-locked the gate;
"for you must well know that we are not allowed to take bribes, though
where the harm of it would be, I confess I cannot see."

Having succeeded in passing the barrier, Edmund did not stay to argue
the question with the gatekeeper. He turned his steps towards the
Castle, and in a very few minutes found himself at its embattled
entrance.

The gates, of course, were fastened, but the bell-rope was hanging
down, so seizing hold of that he gave it a vigorous pull.

"Holloa, my hearty, what's amiss?" asked a stentorian voice. "That's
the third summons to-night."

"I want to see the constable of the Castle," replied the traveller.