following the
instructions given them, would have fastened the rope to a tree upon the
opposite side. They were now joined by the rest of the party, and Sir
Adelbert leading the way, and followed by Cuthbert and Blondel, began
cautiously to ascend the rope ladder.

All this time no sound from the castle proclaimed that their intention
was suspected, or that any alarm had been given, and in silence they
gained the top of the wall. Here they remained quiet until the whole band
were gathered there, and then made their way along until they reached the
stairs leading to the courtyard. These they descended, and then, raising
his war cry, Sir Adelbert sprang upon the men who, round a fire, were
sitting by the gate. These were cut down before they could leap to their
feet, and the party then rushed at the entrance to the dwelling-house.
The retainers of the castle, aroused by the sudden din, rushed from their
sleeping places, but taken completely by surprise, were unable to offer
any resistance whatever to the strong force which had, as if by magic,
taken possession of the castle. The surprise was complete, and with
scarce a blow struck they found themselves in possession. The baron
himself was seized as he rose from his bed, and his rage at finding
himself in the power of his enemy was so great as for some time to render
him speechless. Sir Adelbert briefly dictated to him the conditions upon
which only he should desist from using his power to hang him over his own
gate. The baron was instantly to issue orders to all his own retainers
and tenantry to lend their aid to those of Sir Adelbert in putting the
castle of the latter into a state of defence and mending the breach which
existed. A sum of money, equal to the revenues of which he had possessed
himself, was to be paid at once, and the knight was to retain possession
of Rotherheim and of the baron's person until these conditions were all
faithfully carried out. The baron had no resource but to assent to these
terms, and upon the following day Cuthbert and Blondel departed upon
their way, overwhelmed with thanks by Sir Adelbert, and confident that he
would now be able to regain and hold the possession of his estate.

CHAPTER XXVI.

KING RICHARD'S RETURN TO ENGLAND.

Journeying onward, Blondel and his companion stopped at many castles, and
were everywhere hospitably entertained. Arriving at Vienna they lingered
for some time, hoping there to be able to obtain some