"Follow as quietly as possible," whispered Roland to the two lieutenants
behind him, who, under their breath, passed on word to the men. Roland
ran nimbly up the ladder. No guard was set where none had ever been
needed before. Greusel was the last to ascend, then the ladder was
pulled up, and the massive door swung shut, bolted and chained.
The invaders found torches stuck here and there along the wall, and the
picturesque courtyard, with its irregular balconies and stairways,
seemed, in the flickering light, more spacious than was actually the
case.
Although for the moment in safety, Roland experienced a sense of
imprisonment as he gazed round the narrow limits of this enclosure. He
had endeavored to count the number of men who followed the Pfalzgraf,
but their impetuosity in seeking the barge prevented an accurate
estimate, although he knew there were more than double the force that
obeyed him, and therefore it would be suicidal to lead his untrained
coterie against the seasoned warriors of Stahleck.
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