real castle walls; there's no doubt at all about that,"
said Clive, in a positive tone. "Why, they are three feet thick,
at least. And, you see, there are signs of an additional story
having been above it."

"Yes, I dare say," said David, looking up. "The edges there look
ragged, as though some upper portion has been knocked off."

"And I dare say it's been a great place for brigands," said Clive.

"O, bother brigands," said David. "For my part, I begin to think
not only that there are no brigands now, but even that there never
have been any such people at all.

"Well, I won't go as far as that," said Clive, "but I certainly
begin to have my doubts about them."

"They're all humbugs," said David.

"All of our brigands have been total failures," said Clive.

"Yes," said David; "they all turned out to be the most amiable
people in the world. But come; suppose we go inside, and
explore this old ruin. It may be something famous. I wish
the guide were, here."

"O, well look at it first all over, and then ask at the hotel."

"Yes, that's the way."

"But have we time?"

"O, of course; it won't take us five minutes."

Upon this Clive started off for the ruined structure, followed
by David.

It was, as has been said, two stories in height. In the lower
story was a small, narrow doorway. The door was gone. There were
no windows, and it was quite dark inside. It was about twelve feet
wide, and fifteen feet long. At one end were some piles of fagots
heaped together. The height was about fifteen feet. Before them
they saw a rude ladder, running up to the story above. Its feet
rested near the back of the room. There was no floor to the house,
but only the hard-packed earth.

"There's nothing here," said David, looking around.

"Let's go into the upper story," said Clive.

To this proposal David assented quite readily; and accordingly they
both entered, and walked towards the ladder. Clive ascended first,
and David followed. In a few moments they were in the upper story.

Here it was light, for there were two windows in front. There was
a floor, and the walls were plastered. Fragments of straw lay about,
intermingled with chaff, as though the place had been used for some
sort of a store-house.

Overhead there were a number of heavy beams, which seemed too
numerous and complicated to serve merely for the support of a roof;
and among them was one large, round beam, which ran across. At
this both of the boys star