he planning, and the carrying out was simple
enough. There were those there who tested me, as to my knowledge of
Dunbar, and of the monastery I came from, and who further tested my
knowledge of reading. Once assured that my story was true, they paid no
further attention to me, believing that I should stay but a day or two,
to rest myself on my way south."

"You had occasion, however, to use that heavy staff you carried."

"Some slight occasion, but I would that I had had the chance to have
used it on the heads of some of the Bairds. For what little I did,
master Armstrong, your daughters thanked me very prettily, and more
than enough; and therefore, I pray thee, say no more of it.

"And how is your son?"

"He is going on well, and both Meg Margetson and the monks, in whose
hands I have put him, say that they hope he is out of danger."

The next morning Oswald and Roger mounted, soon after daybreak, and
rode to Alnwick. It had, the night before, been arranged that the girls
should, for the present, remain at Yardhope; until the hold at Hiniltie
was repaired, and put in a state of stronger defence. It was agreed,
too, that it was as well that no word should be said by Armstrong, on
his return, as to the whereabouts of his daughters, as the Bairds might
then, in their anger, make an attack on Yardhope; whereas, at present,
they could have no reason whatever for suspecting that they were there,
and, if they obtained news that they were not with their father at
Hiniltie, would suppose that they had been lodged with some of the
family elsewhere, or perhaps placed for safety in Jedburgh.

"I had wondered what had become of you," Hotspur said, when Oswald
entered his apartments, to report his return. "I expected you two or
three days since, and I indeed wanted you, for other business."

"I am sorry, my lord; but after having fulfilled the orders you gave
me, to the governors of Roxburgh and Jedburgh, I became engaged in an
affair of my uncle, Adam Armstrong, of so pressing a character that I
deemed you would excuse me, when you heard its nature."

And he then briefly related how he had been occupied, since leaving
Jedburgh.

"'Tis a good excuse, indeed," Hotspur said, "and you must tell me more
of it this evening, when the earl and my wife can also hear it. As to
the business I spoke of, it is of no consequence at all; it was but to
carry a message to the Earl of Westmoreland. This I have now sent, by
another hand."