None except the more important members of the royal household were
allowed to use this means of exit from the castle, but, of course, the
privilege extended to Richmond and Surrey. Here in later times, and
when the castle was not so strictly guarded, a more convenient
approach was built, and designated, from the number of its stairs, "The
Hundred Steps."
Having accomplished the descent in safety, and given the password to
the sentinel at the foot of the steps, the two young nobles emerged into
the street, and the first object they beheld was the body of the
miserable butcher swinging from the summit of the Curfew Tower,
where it was left by order of the king.
Averting their gaze from this ghastly spectacle, they took their way up
Thames Street, and soon reached the Garter. Honest Bryan was seated
on a bench before the dwelling, with a flagon of his own ale beside him,
and rising as he saw the others approach, he made them a profound
salutation.
Upon leaning what they sought, he told them that Morgan Fenwolf
dwelt in a small cottage by the river-side not far from the bridge, and if
it pleased them, he would guide them to it himself--an offer which they
gladly accepted.
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