that had been a poser ; heretofore had never been inside the actual palace , but he 'd got into the grounds that night by scaling the fence next to the old green garden gate , met one of his old mates who had to stay up all night to keep the hothouse boilers going , had a little chat , and the following night returned for a pair of old but serviceable black boots , size eight , and information from the boot boy that his lordship wore down the left heel slightly more than the right .