It was near midnight when Montacute and the party who went with him entered the passage. They crowded their way through the bushes and brambles till they found the entrance of the cave, and then went in. They were all completely armed, and they carried torches to light their way. They crept along the gloomy passage-way until at last they reached the door which led up into the interior of the castle. Here the governor was ready to let them in. As soon as they entered, they were joined by young Edward at the foot of the main tower. They left their torches here, and Edward led them up a secret staircase to a dark chamber. They crept softly into this room and listened. They could hear in an adjoining hall the voices of Mortimer and several of his adherents, who were holding a consultation. They waited a few minutes, and then, making a rush into the passage-way which led to the hall, they killed two knights who were on sentry there to guard the door, and, immediately bursting into the apartment, made Mortimer and all his friends prisoners. The queen, who was in her bed in an adjoining room at this time, rushed frantically out when she heard the noise of the affray, and, with piteous entreaties and many tears, she begged and prayed Edward, her "sweet son," as she called him, to spare the gentle Mortimer, "her dearest friend, her well-beloved cousin." The conspirators did spare him at that time; they took him prisoner, and bore him away to a place of safety. He was soon afterward brought to trial on a charge of treason, and hanged. Isabel was deprived of all her property, and shut up in a castle as a prisoner of state. In this castle she afterward lived nearly thirty years, in lonely misery, and then died. The adjoining engraving represents a near view of the subterranean passage by which Lord Montacute and his party gained admission to the castle of Nottingham. It is known in modern times as MORTIMER'S HOLE. [Illustration: MORTIMER'S HOLE.] CHAPTER III. THE BLACK PRINCE. A.D. 1336-1346 Parentage of the Black Prince, Richard's father.--Reason for the name.--Situation of Crecy.--Nature of Edward's claim to the crown of France.--The Salic law.--Reason for it.--Edward's case.--Edward raises an army and sets out for France.--Map.--The army reaches Rouen.--Progress of the army.--Arrival at Amiens.--Progress of the two armies down the Somme.--Edward's anxiety about crossing the river.--Danger from the tide.--Edward posts himself at Crecy.--Plan of the battle.--The Black Prince in command.--Picture of the Genoese archer.--Philip gets out of patience.--The rain.--The battle.--More difficulty with the archers.--They send for help for the Prince of Wales.--Flight of the King of France from the field of battle.--Account of the old King of Bohemia.--Origin of the motto and device of the Prince of Wales.--Fate of Calais.--The six citizens.--Margaret of Calais.--John of Gaunt.