They had that morning, before the count was up and their services
were required, wandered about the fortress, apparently paying no
attention to anything, but really closely observing the approaches
to the walls and the general features of the country outside. They
now stole out, keeping in the shadow of the building, until they
reached the staircase leading up to the battlements, close to the
point Wulf had fixed upon for making their descent. This had been
chosen chiefly because no sentry was placed on that part of the
wall, the watch generally being careless, as Normandy was at present
at peace with its neighbours. When they reached the top of the steps
they listened for a short time, but everything was silent. Then
they stepped out on to the narrow pathway along the battlements,
fastened one end of the rope round a piece of stonework and let the
other end drop down into the fosse.

"Shall we both go down together, the rope is strong enough?" Beorn
asked.

"It is strong enough, but we had better go separately, Beorn; we
are neither of us accustomed to climb ropes, and if the upper one
were to slip down too fast he might knock the other off the rope.
It makes no matter who goes first. I will if you like, only mind
if you hear a footstep approaching let yourself down at once whether
I am off the rope or not. Be sure and twist your legs tightly round
it, or it will run through your fingers."

Taking hold of the rope he at once swung himself over, and without
much difficulty reached the bottom in safety. He had scarcely done
so when Beorn came down beside him with a rush.