"The strong-rooms and dungeons must be looked to also," said the Baron; "for we may expect many prisoners."
"Ah, papa! don't put any of them down into those dark holes full of newts and toads, only fit for the barbarous times!"
"Certainly not; but we must provide for their security, nevertheless, or they may seize the castle and put you into one of the dark holes, instead."
"Ugh!—I am sure I should not live through the night! My hair would turn quite white. Why, Adolph, you have no idea what terrible stories are told of those dungeons—"
"Old wives' tales—"
"True tales. Bones have been found. Human hair sticking to the wall. Stains of blood!—"
"Well, well, we are not going to repeat those things. You may pet your prisoners as much as you like, so long as you do not let them run away, nor run away with them."
"With one of them, papa, I suppose you meant to say. Well, I accept your carte-blanche; but you must leave me the cellar-key."
"To treat the captive knight like the fair, Saracen?"
"Sick men require wine, papa. And I must have beef and mutton, and bread and beer, in unlimited quantities, for those who are well."