"Well, the condition is that every suitor for my daughter's hand must
spend a night alone in that house; and if he survives and is ready to
persevere with his wooing, he must return a year later with his bride
and spend the night of his marriage there."

"And very handy," said John, "for there's a wedding-cake shop at the
corner."

The King sighed again.

"Unhappily, none survive. One hundred and fifty-five have undertaken
the adventure, and not a man of them but has either lost his wits or run
for it."

"Well," said John, "I've been afraid of a great many men--"

"That's a poor confession for a soldier," put in the King.

"--when they all happened to come at me together. But I've never yet
met the ghost that could frighten me; and if your Majesty will give me
the latch-key I'll try my luck this very night."

It could not be done in this free-and-easy way; but at eight o'clock,
after John had visited the Palace and taken an oath in the Princess's
presence (which was his first sight of her), he was driven down to the
house beside the Lord Chamberlain, who admitted him to the black front
hall, and, slamming the door upon him, scuttled out of the porch as
quickly as possible and into his brougham.

John struck a match, and as he did so heard the carriage roll away.