"Then we can all three go down into it, and the landlord and I will remain hidden while you search for the secret entrance. Whither does it lead?" "To a tunnel that rises gradually up the hill, and enters the castle near the dungeons below the keep." "Lead on, then. We will go to the left, and walk warily to escape the ears of the sentry at the gate." In a few minutes they came to the edge of the fosse. They clambered carefully down, assisting their steps by the young trees which thickly covered the steep side. When they reached the bottom, Max went forward by himself to explore. His movements caused a rustle, but being followed by the scurrying of rabbits disturbed in the brake, such slight customary noises were not likely to alarm the sentry, even if he should near them. Harry had his hand on the landlord’s wrist as they waited minute after minute. Max was gone a long time. All was silent now save for the murmurs of birds and the chirping of insects. At length, after what seemed to Harry’s impatience hours of delay, the man groped his way back, and whispered: "I have found it, Monsieur." "That is well. Now lead us to it." "You will not take me into the castle, Excellency?" murmured the landlord in affright. "Have no fear. Be silent." The three went into the tangled mass of tree and shrub, and Max had no difficulty now in taking a pretty direct path to the opening of the tunnel. When the bushes were pulled aside, they revealed to the touch—for to see was impossible—an arch of crumbling brickwork not more than five feet high. Evidently a man could not walk upright through the tunnel. "Did you ever get into the castle this way?" asked Harry. "Yes, Monsieur, but it was fifteen years ago." "So that the tunnel may be blocked now?" "Certainly." "Or it may be the haunt of wild beasts?" "Nothing wilder than rabbits, I should think." "Well, it is not too pleasant a task to crawl through there in the dark, but it must be done. Now, Max, you will return to the place where we left our horses; the landlord will go with you. Here is one of my pistols; you know what to do with it if need be. Wait for me there: if I do not come to you within say a couple of hours, ride to Urach, and tell the lieutenant of the guard what has happened." Max hesitated. "Let me go, Monsieur," he said. "Why should you run into the jaws of danger? They are desperate men, these brigands." "Thank you, Max! but it is my task. Do my bidding, my good fellow; I have counted the cost."