At the same time as he felt sure that the effect of a surprise would be complete and crushing, and that the party would gain the top of the keep without any serious resistance, he considered the risk was so small as to justify him in accompanying the foresters.
The passage was some five feet high, and little more than two feet wide.
It was dry and dusty, and save the marks on the ground of a human foot going and returning, doubtless that of the man who had oiled the lock the day before, the passage appeared to have been unused from the time that it left the hands of its builders.
Passing along for some distance they came to another strong oaken door.

This, like the last, yielded to the efforts of the crowbars of the foresters, and they again advanced.

Presently they came to a flight of steps.
"We must now be near the castle," Cnut said.

"In fact, methinks I can hear confused noises ahead." Mounting the steps, they came to a third door; this was thickly studded with iron, and appeared of very great strength.

Fortunately the lock was upon their side, and they were enabled to shoot the bolt; but upon the other side the door was firmly secured by large bolts, and it was fully five minutes before the foresters could succeed in opening it.