nd grew shorter and shorter till it had
all passed through the panel, which next closed of itself with a soft
dull roar. Then Denis's eyes opened and he sat up with a start,
realising the fact that he had been fast asleep and that the closing of
the panel was only the King's deep snore.

"Having no sleep last night," the lad said to himself. "Enough to make
anyone drowsy; that and the long ride. Why, Saint Simon's worse than I
was. Nice pair of guards we make! Suppose instead of an arm a spear
were thrust through that panel, an enemy might reach his heart."

Making an effort to shake off his lethargy, the boy stepped to where
Saint Simon lay back sleeping soundly, and then, buckling on his sword
the while, he bent over him, took his sword-belt from where it hung over
a corner of the chair back, and thrust the cold hilt into the heavy
sleeper's hand.

"Quiet, my boy," muttered Saint Simon, "and keep your nasty cold wet
muzzle out of my hand. We shall get there some time," he added
murmuringly, "and you are all right. I am not going away."

"Pst! Pst! Saint Simon! Rouse up, man! Don't go to sleep."

"Is it nearly morning, skipper?" grumbled the sleeper.

"No, and it isn't night," whispered Denis, with his lips close to the
other's ear. "Quiet, or you'll wake the King."

"The King--the King! Vive le roi!" muttered Saint Simon.

"Stupid!" whispered Denis, laying one hand lightly over Saint Simon's
lips and shaking him softly with the other. "Wake up. You're asleep."

"I kiss your Majesty's hand," babbled the sleeper softly.--"Eh? Asleep?
Nonsense! Who's asleep?"

Then coming suddenly to himself, his hand closed tightly upon the hilt
of his sword, and dashing away the fingers upon his lips he sprang
fiercely to his feet, gazing wonderingly at his companion.

"Pst! The King!" whispered Denis.

"Eh? The King?" said Saint Simon, lowering his voice and glancing at
the slumbering monarch. "I say, I haven't been asleep, have I?"

"Sound as a dormouse in December."

"Oh, horrible! Suppose he had woke up. But he would have found you on
the watch."

"He wouldn't," said Denis, laughing silently, "for I went off as sound
as you; and no wonder after such a night. What with that and the
dinner, and this hot room, a weasel couldn't have kept awake. Here,
let's go outside into the open air. I want to see if the horses have
been well fed."

"Yes, of course. We ought to have thought of that before