“Can’t pass,” said the man sternly.
“But we must,” said Frank, in an agonised whisper. “Here, take this.”
“Can’t pass,” said the man; “’gainst orders. You must come to the guardroom.”
But he took the coin Frank handed to him, and slipped it into his pocket.
“We want to go to the meeting—the fight,” whispered Andrew now. “We won’t own that you let us go by.”
“Swear it,” said the man.
“Yes, of course. Honour of gentlemen.”
“Well, I dunno,” said the man.
“Yes, you do. Which way did they go when they passed the gate?”
“Couldn’t see,” said the man; “too dark. I thought it was one of them games. My mate yonder’ll know, only he won’t let you go by without the password.”