as you enter the town, and a
hundred yards or more from the town gate, there stood at that time a
two-storeyed house of more pretensions than its fellows--from which
it drew back somewhat. A line of railings, covered with ironwork of
a florid and intricate pattern, but greatly decayed, shut it off from
the roadway. The visitor, on opening the broad iron gate over which
this pattern culminated in the figure of a Triton blowing a
conch-shell, found himself in a pebbled court and before a massive
front-door.

Neglect hung visibly over house and court alike as the two captains
entered by the iron gate and looked around them with more trepidation
than they had ever displayed in action. Grass sprouted between the
pebbles and a greenish stain lay upon the flagstones. The drab
frontage was similarly streaked; dust and rain together had set a
crust upon the windows, and tufts of dark mossy grass again
flourished in the gutter-pipes beneath the eaves.

Surveying this desolation, Captain Jemmy uttered a grunt and Captain
John a "p'sh!" They fumbled in their pockets, drew out their two
letters, and moved to the blistered front-door. A bell-pull, as
rusty as the railings outside, depended by the jamb. Captain Jemmy
tugged at it. It was noteworthy that whenever any effort had to be
put forth, however small, the tall man stepped forward and the
hunchback looked on. It was Captain Jemmy, for instance, who had, a
moment before, pushed back the gate.

He had to tug thrice before a discordant bell sounded within the
house, and twice again before footsteps began to shuffle along the
passage.

A bolt was let down and the big door fell open, disclosing a small
serving-girl, who stared upon the visitors with round eyes.

"Is your mistress within?"

"Mistress Salt is within, sirs; but--"

"But what?"

"She--she can't see you!" The girl burst into tears.

"Who the devil asked her to see us?" rapped out Captain Barker.

"You are to take these two letters," interposed Captain Runacles.
Each captain held out his letter. "You are to take these two--blow
your nose and dry your eyes--letters to your mistress at once--mind
you, _at once_--and together--_together_, you understand, and--what
in thunder are you whimpering about?"

"I c-c-can't, sirs."

"Can't! Why, in the name of--don't drip on 'em, I tell you! Why, in
the name of--"

The iron gate creaked behind them, and the two captains turned their
heads. A portly, bro