At the salient angle of this curtain stood a small postern, to
which Dan applied a heavy key, and beckoning to his companion, they
ascended a narrow staircase. A succession of dark passages led to the
great hall, from which a small arched doorway communicated by a private
entrance to the chapel. As they passed the half-closed door, a gruff
voice was heard reciting the appointed service for the day. Dan slept
cautiously by, and motioned the stranger to tread softly. The latter
paused, listening with a look of anxiety, and pressed his staff across
his bosom;--soon, drawing his hood closer over his brow, he quickly
followed the retreating footsteps of his companion.
"Praised be old Cliderhow's tough pipe!" said Dan, when fairly out of
hearing. "Ha, ha!--sit down, sit down, good father," opening a
half-door, as he laughed, and thrusting in the pilgrim; "nobody can hear
aught besides, when he's fairly agoing."
The apartment into which this unceremonious conductor ushered his guest
was Dan's store-room.
A most whimsical assemblage of materials were here huddled together.
Pans, wooden bowls, and matters of meaner import, entered into close
familiarity with broadswords and helmets; boots of home manufacture in
their primitive clothing; saddles with their housings; knives, and brown
bottles of coarse pottery, were intermingled with many a grim-looking
weapon of bloodthirsty aspect.
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