### 124

You come to the remains of an elaborate archway carved into the city wall. The gate collapsed long ago and the street beyond is bleak and deserted. You take a deep breath and start forward. You have taken one step when a voice cries out: 'Who goes there?'

The head and shoulders of a bony old man pop through a window high above the shattered gate. He regards you suspiciously with wild, bloodshot eyes. His filthy, matted hair hangs down over his shoulders and he waves a broken, rusty sword. 'Speak now!' he continues. 'I can't open the gate until you tell me.'

Puzzled, you look at the archway and then up at the grime-encrusted man. You can see no gate.

If you wish to humour the Gatekeeper, turn to 212.

If you wish to ignore the ravings of the old man, turn to 254.

Concept copyright © 1985 Joe Dever and Gary Chalk.
Text copyright © 1985 Ian Page.