"There, you wouldn't think there was a door behind there, would you?" "No, that I shouldn't," replied Denis. "But there is. You see that warrior's shield with the boss on it that stands out as if it were real?" "Yes," said Denis; "it is very cleverly done." "Yes, but it is real," said Carrbroke, and he glanced to right and left to see if they were observed. "We are quite alone. Now you touch that boss." "Yes: it's hard and round," said Denis. "Now give it a twist." Denis did as he was told, and there was a faint click like the lifting of a latch. "Now push," continued Carrbroke. Denis again obeyed, and something gave way as if he had pushed a door which opened from him. "Now then," said Carrbroke, "what do you think of that?" "That if I lifted the arras I could pass into another room." "Not quite right; not into another room, but into a dark passage made in the wall. I went in one day when the King was out hunting and I felt grumpy because I had been left behind, and I thought I should like to see what there was there." "Yes, and you went?" said Denis eagerly. "Yes, all along a dark passage for ever so far. Then I came to another door, which opened easily, and there was a flight of stairs; at the bottom of that there was another door and another long passage, twice as long as the first, and then another door." "Did you open that?" "Yes; and where do you think I was?" "I don't know. In the cellars perhaps." "No; in a dark part of the terrace all amongst the trees. Then I wasn't satisfied, for it was all new to me, and I felt curious to see where the dark winding walk that was before me went to." "Yes," said Denis eagerly; "and where did it lead?" "Right away down and down to some stone steps close to a little pavilion on the banks of the river, where there was a boat fastened to a post. That was the King's private way, of course." "Yes," said Denis; "but what did he want it for?" "Oh, I don't know; and I didn't want to know, for anyone who meddled with the King's secrets might come in for the loss of his head, and I didn't want to lose mine. I came back as fast as I could. There, you can have a look through into the dark passage if you like. Kneel down and lift up the hangings. There, what can you see?" continued the lad, as Denis obeyed, finding the abundant folds give way easily, so that he could peer right beyond. "Nothing at all; it is quite dark." "Come away," said Carrbroke quickly. "That's right," he continued, and then quickly taking Denis's place he quite disappeared. "Am I to follow?" said Denis wonderingly; but he had hardly finished speaking before Carrbroke reappeared, laughing. "Only shutting the door," he said. "Has anyone seen us?" "No," said Denis, after a glance in both directions.