ng him unnoticed out of the Castle, if he did not know how much
depended on it, and how dangerous his situation was.

When Richard awoke, he was much surprised at missing Alberic, but Osmond
said he was gone into the town to Thibault the armourer, and this was a
message on which he was so likely to be employed that Richard's suspicion
was not excited. All the time he was dressing he talked about the King,
and everything he meant to show him that day; then, when he was ready,
the first thing was as usual to go to attend morning mass.

"Not by that way, to-day, my Lord," said Osmond, as Richard was about to
enter the great hall. "It is crowded with the French who have been
sleeping there all night; come to the postern."

Osmond turned, as he spoke, along the passage, walking fast, and not
sorry that Richard was lingering a little, as it was safer for him to be
first. The postern was, as he expected, guarded by two tall steel-cased
figures, who immediately held their lances across the door-way, saying,
"None passes without warrant."

"You will surely let us of the Castle attend to our daily business," said
Osmond. "You will hardly break your fast this morning if you stop all
communication with the town."

"You must bring warrant," repeated one of the men-at-arms. Osmond was
beginning to say that he was the son of the Seneschal of the Castle, when
Richard came hastily up. "What? Do these men want to stop us?" he
exclaimed in the imperious manner he had begun to take up since his
accession. "Let us go on, sirs."

The men-at-arms looked at each other, and guarded the door more closely.
Osmond saw it was hopeless, and only wanted to draw his young charge back
without being recognised, but Richard exclaimed loudly, "What means
this?"

"The King has given orders that none should pass without warrant," was
Osmond's answer. "We must wait."

"I will pass!" said Richard, impatient at opposition, to which he was
little accustomed. "What mean you, Osmond? This is my Castle, and no
one has a right to stop me. Do you hear, grooms? let me go. I am the
Duke!"

The sentinels bowed, but all they said was, "Our orders are express."

"I tell you I am Duke of Normandy, and I will go where I please in my own
city!" exclaimed Richard, passionately pressing against the crossed
staves of the weapons, to force his way between them, but he was caught
and held fast in the powerful gauntlet of one of the men-at-arms. "Let
me