I put down a second piece. “For opening the outer door,” I said.

He wet his lips again, made an inarticulate sound in his throat, and finally broke out with, “The commander will nail my ears to the pillory.”

“You can lock the doors after me, and know as little as you choose in the morning. No gain without some risk.”

“That’s so,” he agreed, and made a clutch at the gold.

I swept it out of his reach. “First earn it,” I said dryly. “Look at the foot of the pillory an hour from now and you’ll find it. I’ll not pay you this side of the doors.”

He bit his lips and studied the floor. “You’re a gentleman,”