It was a wet morning, and had been raining all night.

The sky was stagnant, and one-coloured without wind, and the heavy drops fell straight down out of a grey veil that covered everything.

The air struck cold when we first came out, but trudging over the heavy road soon made us remember that it was July, and we were very hot and soaking wet when we stood at the gateway of Carisbrooke Castle.

Here are two flanking towers and a stout gate-house reached by a stone bridge crossing the moat; and when I saw it I remembered that 'twas here Colonel Mohune had earned the wages of his unrighteousness, and thought how many times he must have passed these gates.

Elzevir knocked as one that had a right, and we were evidently expected, for a wicket in the heavy door was opened at once.