that reduced the grade—he saw Edgar and Amabel standing upon the top of one of the front towers. They waved to him and cheered as he came in sight. The drawbridge had been raised, but it was at once lowered with a rattling of chains and creaking of timbers—and in a moment more Hugh was helped from his horse by Edgar, who came running into the courtyard as the old soldier rode in.
Hugh's hand was warmly shaken by the young man as soon as they were both on foot, and then Edgar asked him to come up on the battlements where the ladies were sitting, in order that they might learn how he had succeeded in getting back to the castle by the direct road, for they had expected that he would be forced to strike into the woods and make his way home by a round-about course. Hugh insisted that there was really nothing worth telling, but Edgar would not be refused, and told him that his dinner was awaiting him there, together with a good draught of ale.
As Hugh was curious to learn the particulars of the hawkers' escape, he followed Edgar without much objection, and climbing the stone stairs that ran up in the thickness of the great stone walls, he found himself in a few moments settled before a small joint-table upon which there was a good supply of venison pasty, a manchet of bread, and
