The path by which Clive and David returned to the hotel, went down a slope of the hill into a valley, and led over a second hill, beyond which was Albano. There were no houses visible, for the town was hidden by the hill, except, of course, the convent, which, from its conspicuous position, was never out of sight. As they descended into the valley, they came to a grove of olive trees; and beyond this there was a ruined edifice, built of stone, and apparently long since deserted. It was two stories in height, but the stories were high, and it looked as though it might once have been used, for a tower of some sort. The attention of both of the boys was at once arrested by it, and they stood and looked at it for some time. "I wonder what it has been," said David. "No doubt," said Clive, "it is the ruin of some mediaeval castle." "It does not have much of the look of a castle." "Why not?" "O, why, there are no architectural features in it; no battlements; it has, in fact, a rather modern air." "Not a bit of it," said Clive. "See those old stones grown over with moss; and look at the ivy." "Yes, but look at the windows. They didn't have such large windows in castles, you know." "Yes, but these windows were probably made afterwards. The place was once a castle; but at length, of course it became deserted, and began to fall to ruins. Then somebody fixed it tip for a dwelling-house, and made these windows in the walls." "Well, that's not improbable." "Not improbable! Why, I'm sure it's very natural. Look how thick the walls are!" "They do seem pretty thick." "O, they are real castle walls; there's no doubt at all about that," said Clive, in a positive tone. "Why, they are three feet thick, at least. And, you see, there are signs of an additional story having been above it." "Yes, I dare say," said David, looking up. "The edges there look ragged, as though some upper portion has been knocked off." "And I dare say it's been a great place for brigands," said Clive. "O, bother brigands," said David. "For my part, I begin to think not only that there are no brigands now, but even that there never have been any such people at all. "Well, I won't go as far as that," said Clive, "but I certainly begin to have my doubts about them." "They're all humbugs," said David. "All of our brigands have been total failures," said Clive. "Yes," said David; "they all turned out to be the most amiable people in the world. But come; suppose we go inside, and explore this old ruin. It may be something famous. I wish the guide were, here." "O, well look at it first all over, and then ask at the hotel." "Yes, that's the way." "But have we time?" "O, of course; it won't take us five minutes." Upon this Clive started off for the ruined structure, followed by David.