A broad path led from the highway half a league or so through the
forest of oaks and beeches to the castle, which stood on a slight
eminence in the centre of a wide clearing covered with luxuriant turf,
and used for pasturing the domestic animals as well as for the sports
of the garrison. But the morning after the events at Kirkstall, when
Sir Aymer de Lacy and Sir John de Bury halted near the edge of the
timber, this open space was bare of denizen, either brute or human.
Nor did the fortress itself show more animation; for though they rode
slowly around its entire circle, keeping the while well under cover of
the trees, yet not a sign of life did they discover either without or
within. Save for the small sable banner with the three golden
escallops, which fluttered in gentle waves from the gate-tower, there
was no moving thing in all the landscape.

"It is uncommonly queer, this quiet," said De Bury, shading his eyes
with his hand to see the better. "It would almost seem they had been
warned of our coming."

"Like enough," De Lacy answered. "They would only need to know that I
was back in Yorkshire; and that, doubtless, reached them quick enough.
There is no hope to catch them with drawbridge down," and they went on
to their following.

"You know the castle, Sir John; what is the best point to attack?"
Aymer asked.

The old Knight shook his head. "There is no weak spot, so far as I
have recollection."

"Where is the postern? I did not note it."

"No postern will you find in yonder walls," De Bury answered. "A
secret exit runs beneath the moat known only to the ruling lord
himself."

"Another Kirkstall!" commented Aymer.

"Aye--yet as Darby is not within, there will be no escape by it."

With banners to the fore, they marched across the open space to the
barbican and the herald blew the parley.

No answer came from the outwork. Riding closer, De Lacy discovered it
was without defenders, and passing through he halted on the edge of the
causeway.

"Sound again!" he commanded--and this time with quick effect.

A trumpet answered hoarsely from within and a mailed form arose from
behind the crenellated parapet near the gate.

"Who summons so peremptorily the Castle of the Lords of Darby?" it
asked.

Sir John's herald blew another blast.

"It is a most ignorant warder that does not recognize the arms of Sir
John de Bury and Sir Aymer de Lacy," he answered.

"What seek Sir John de Bury and Sir