It was quite dark when we entered the town, so I was able to form but little conception of it. Even in the darkness, however, I could see the dim outline of a huge building lifting its dark head into the night sky. "Launceston Castle!" remarked one of my companions. "Am I to stop there?" I asked. "Is it a prison?" "I don't know exactly," was the reply; "you'll find out soon enough for your own comfort, I dare say." Upon this we came up to a high wall which was covered with ivy, and behind which great trees grew. The sight of the walls was oppressive enough, but the trees looked like old friends, and reminded me of the great oaks which grew around Trevanion. "Here's a door," cried one, "let's knock." Whereupon the fellow knocked loudly, and soon afterwards I heard the sound of footsteps. "What want you?" said a voice. "A prisoner," was the reply. "Take him to the lock-up," was the answer. "This is not the place for constables to bring drunken men." "If it please you, we be not constables," replied one of my companions. "We have come from my Lord Falmouth, with a prisoner of quality, and I carry important papers." "But it is not for me to examine them," replied the voice, "and Master Hugh Pyper is gone to a supper to-night at South Petherwin, and God only knows when he will be back. Moreover, when he comes I much doubt whether he will be fit to read such papers." "In Heaven's name, why?" "Because Sir Geoffry Luscombe keeps the best wine in the county, and because whenever Master Hugh Pyper goes there he thinks he is bound by conscience not to leave until he has drunk until he can drink no more." "And this Master Hugh Pyper is the constable and keeper of the jail and castle? I know he is, for such is the name written on my papers." "Well, I will open the door," grumbled the man from within, "but I wish you had chosen some other time. To-morrow morning, up to twelve o'clock, Master Pyper will be asleep, and from then until late to-morrow night he will give no man a civil word. You say your prisoner is a man of quality?" "That he is." "All the same, I shall have to put him into a common jail until Master Pyper is able to read what you have brought." We passed through the door as he spoke, and the man who had been speaking, and who held a lantern in his hand, looked at me keenly. "I wish gentlefolk would keep out of trouble," he grumbled; "if they did, I should keep out of trouble. Master Pyper is always in a villainous temper whenever a man of quality is made prisoner. But come this way." I expected to be taken to the castle itself, but in this I was mistaken. South of this ancient pile, and away from the main structure, I noticed a long low building, towards which I was led. The man who held the lantern gave a whistle, whereupon another fellow appeared on the scene. "All quiet, Jenkins?" he asked. "Oal gone to slaip, sur. They've been braave and noisy, but they be oal right now." "You have an empty cell?"