Thanks, Cuthbert, for your thought and intelligence.

It has not been used lately, that is clear," he went on.

"These creepers have not been moved for years.

Shall we go and tell the earl of our discovery?
What think you, Cuthbert ?" "I think we had better not," Cuthbert said.

"We might not succeed in getting in, as the passage may have fallen farther along; but I will speak to him and tell him that we have something on hand which may alter his dispositions for fighting to-morrow." Cuthbert made his way to the earl, who had taken possession of a small cottage a short distance from the castle.
"What can I do for you ?" Sir Walter said.
"I want to ask you, sir, not to attack the castle to-morrow until you see a white flag waved from the keep." "But how on earth is a white flag to be raised from the keep ?" "It may be," Cuthbert said, "that I have some friends inside who will be able to make a diversion in our favour.