It
opened into wide space: from it Donal stepped on a ledge or
bartizan, without any parapet, that ran round the tower, passing
above the window of his room. It was well he had a steady brain,
for he found the height affect him more than that of a precipice on
Glashgar: doubtless he would get used to it, for the old man had
stepped out without the smallest hesitation! Round the tower he
followed him.
On the other side a few steps rose to a watch-tower--a sort of
ornate sentry-box in stone, where one might sit and regard with wide
vision the whole country. Avoiding this, another step or two led
them to the roof of the castle--of great stone slabs. A broad
passage ran between the rise of the roof and a battlemented parapet.
By this time they came to a flat roof, on to which they descended
by a few steps. Here stood two rough sheds, with nothing in them.
"There's stowage!" said the old man.
"Yes, indeed!" answered Donal, to whom the idea of his aerie was
growing more and more agreeable. "But would there be no objection to
my using the place for such a purpose?"
"What objection?" returned his guide. "I doubt if a single person
but myself knows it."
"And shall I be allowed to carry up as much as I please?"
"I allow you," said the butler, with importance. "Of course you will
not waste--I am dead against waste! But as to what is needful, use
your freedom.
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