a body may get lost, an he know not the way aright, and never see the
blessed light of day again."

"Marry," said Myles, "those same be strange sayings. Who liveth there
now?"

"No one liveth there," said Gascoyne, "saving only some of the stable
villains, and that half-witted goose-herd who flung stones at us
yesterday when we mocked him down in the paddock. He and his wife and
those others dwell in the vaults beneath, like rabbits in any warren. No
one else hath lived there since Earl Robert's day, which belike was
an hundred years agone. The story goeth that Earl Robert's brother--or
step-brother--was murdered there, and some men say by the Earl himself.
Sin that day it hath been tight shut."

Myles stared at the tower for a while in silence. "It is a
strange-seeming place from without," said he, at last, "and mayhap it
may be even more strange inside. Hast ever been within, Francis?"

"Nay," said Gascoyne; "said I not it hath been fast locked since Earl
Robert's day?"

"By'r Lady," said Myles, "an I had lived here in this place so long as
thou, I wot I would have been within it ere this."

"Beshrew me," said Gascoyne, "but I have never thought of such a
matter." He turned and looked at the tall crown rising into the warm
sunlight with a new interest, for the thought of entering it smacked
pleasantly of adventure. "How wouldst thou set about getting within?"
said he, presently.