Rodriguez therefore
perceived that the poniard was that of a gallant, and surmised
that mine host had begun his trade with a butcher's knife, but
having come by the poniard had found it to be handier for his
business. Rodriguez being now fully dressed, girt his own blade
about him, and putting the poniard under his cloak, for he thought
to find a use for it at the wars, set his plumed hat upon him and
jauntily stepped from the chamber. By the light of day he saw
clearly at what point the passages of the inn had dared to make
their intrusion on the corridors of the fortress, for he walked
for four paces between walls of huge grey rocks which had never
been plastered and were clearly a breach in the fortress, though
whether the breach were made by one of the evil days that had come
upon the family in their fastness, and whether men had poured
through it with torches and swords, or whether the gap had been
cut in later years for mine host of the Dragon and Knight, and he
had gone quietly through it rubbing his hands, nothing remained to
show Rodriguez now.
When he came to the dining-chamber he found Morano astir. Morano
looked up from his overwhelming task of tidying the Inn of the
Dragon and Knight and then went on with his pretended work, for he
felt a little ashamed of the knowledge he had concerning the ways
of that inn, which was more than an honest man should know about
such a place.
"Good morning, Morano," said Rodriguez blithely.
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