William Neave, the governor of the prison, looked astonished indeed when, upon his opening the door, the grand master and the bailiff of the English langue, with the twelve knights behind them, entered.

He had been puzzled when, four days before, he had received an order from the grand master that Ahmet, a servitor in the auberge of the English langue, should be permitted to pass the night in his house, with authority to move freely and without question, at any hour, in the courtyard of the gaol, and to depart at any hour, secretly and without observation, by the private gate.

Still more had he been surprised when he received the message that the grand master would pay him a secret visit at eleven o'clock at night.
"Let no word be spoken until we are in your apartments," D'Aubusson said in a low voice, as he entered.

"But first lead four of these knights and post them so that none can enter the gaol from the house.

If there are more than four doors or windows on that side, you must post a larger number.