In this dilemma, a knightly vassal of the bishop, Tycho by name, undertook to find a passage into the castle of Adalbert, and to punish him for his pillaging.  One day Tycho presented himself at the gate of the castle, knocked loudly thereon, and on the appearance of the guard, asked him for a sup of something to drink, being, as he said, overcome with thirst.

He did not ask in vain.  It is a pleasant illustration of the hospitality of that period to learn that the traveller’s demand was unhesitatingly complied with at the gate of the bandit stronghold, a brimming cup of wine being brought for the refreshment of the thirsty wayfarer.

“Thank your master for me,” said Tycho, on returning the cup, “and tell him that I shall certainly repay him with some service for his good will.”

With this Tycho journeyed on, sought the bishopric, and told Peppo what he had done and what he proposed to do.  After a full deliberation a definite plan was agreed upon, which the cunning fellow proceeded to put into action.  The plan was one which strongly reminds us of that adopted by the bandit chief in the Arabian story of the “Forty Thieves,” the chief difference being that here it was true men, not thieves, who were to be benefited.

Thirty wine casks of capacious size were prepared, and in each was placed instead of its quota of wine a stalwart warrior, fully armed with sword, shield, helmet, and cuirass.  Each cask was then covered with a linen cloth, and ropes were fastened to its sides for the convenience of the carriers.  This done, sixty other men were chosen as carriers, and dressed as peasants, though really they were trained soldiers, and each had a sword concealed in the cask he helped to carry.

The preparations completed, Tycho, accompanied by a few knights and by the sixty carriers and their casks, went his way to Adalbert’s castle, and, as before, knocked loudly at its gates.  The guard again appeared, and, on seeing the strange procession, asked who they were and for what they came.

“I have come to repay your chief for the cup of wine he gave me,” said Tycho.  “I promised that he should be well rewarded for his good will, and am here for that purpose.”

The warder looked longingly at the array of stout casks, and hastened with the message to Adalbert, who, doubtless deeming that the gods were raining wine, for his one cup to be so amply returned, gave orders that the strangers should be admitted.  Accordingly the gates were opened, and the wine-bearers and knights filed in.

Reaching the castle hall, the casks were placed on the floor before Adalbert and his chief followers, Tycho begging him to accept them as a present in return for his former kindness.  As to receive something for nothing was Adalbert’s usual mode of life, he did not hesitate to accept the lordly present, and Tycho ordered the carriers to remove the coverings.  In a very few seconds this was done, when out sprang the armed men, the porters seized their swords from the casks, and in a minute’s time the surprised bandits found themselves sharply attacked.  The stratagem proved a complete success.  Adalbert and his men fell victims to their credulity, and the fortress was razed to the ground.