all folk were gathered about
the archway where they could see, and none beyond. Forward they
cantered, till the broad road turned to the left, and in that
faint light they were hidden.

"Away!" said Godwin, shaking his reins.

Forward leapt the horses at speed. Again Godwin turned, taking
that road which ran round the city wall and through the gardens,
leaving the guest-castle to the left, whereas their escort
followed that whereby they had come, which passed along the main
street of the inner town, thinking that they were ahead of them.
Three minutes more and they were in the lonely gardens, in which
that night no women wandered and no neophytes dreamed in the
pavilions.

"Wulf," said Godwin, as they swept forward, skimming the turf
like swallows, "draw your sword and be ready. Remember the secret
cave may be guarded, and, if so, we must kill or be killed."

Wulf nodded, and next instant two long blades flashed in the
moonlight, for the little cloud had passed away. Within a
hundred paces of them rose the tall rock, but between it and the
mound were two mounted guards. These heard the beating of horses'
hoofs, and wheeling about, stared to see two armed knights
sweeping down upon them like a whirlwind. They called to them to
stop, hesitating, then rode forward a few paces, as though
wondering whether this were not a vision.

In a moment the brethren were on them. The soldiers lifted their
lances, but ere they could thrust the sword of Godwin had caught
one between neck and shoulder and sunk to his breast bone, while
the sword of Wulf, used as a spear, had pierced the other through
and through, so that those men fell dead by the door of the
mound, never knowing who had slain them.

The brethren pulled upon their bridles and spoke to Flame and
Smoke, halting them within a score of yards. Then they wheeled
round and sprang from their saddles. One of the dead guards still
held his horses's reins, and the other beast stood by snorting.
Godwin caught it before it stirred, then, holding all four of
them, threw the key to Wulf and bade him unlock the door. Soon it
was done, although he staggered at the task; then he held the
horses, while one by one Godwin led them in, and that without
trouble, for the beasts thought that this was but a cave-hewn
stable of a kind to which they were accustomed.

"What of the dead men?" said Wulf.

"They had best keep us company," answered Godwin, and, running
out, he carried in fi