two more black beetles with his broad
feet in transit, and opened another door. This he found led into a cool
passage, along one side of which was a wirework kind of cage.

"Here we are at last," he said; and opening the door, he found himself
in presence of part of a cold leg of mutton, a well-carved piece of
beef, and a cold roast pheasant.

"Now then for a plate," he muttered; and this he secured by sliding some
tartlets off one on to the shelf.

"Why, I've no knife," he muttered, as he cast his eyes upon the cold
roast pheasant. "I must have some bread too."

A huge brown pan on the stone floor suggested the home of the loaves,
and on raising the lid he found a half loaf, which he broke in two,
secured one piece, and transferred it to the plate.

"Hang it all, where is there a knife?" he muttered. "One can't cut beef
or mutton without a knife. 'Tisn't even as if one had got one's sword.
Here--I know."

He seized the pheasant.

"Humph! too much for a boy. Don't know, though; dare say he could
finish it. Wouldn't do him good. I'll--that's it."

He took hold of one leg, and holding the bird down, pulled off one of
its joints; then another; after which he placed the pair of legs
thoughtfully on the plate.

"May as well give him a wing too," he said; and seizing the one having
the liver, he was in the act of tearing it off, when an exclamation
behind made him start round and face the captain.

"My dear Tom!" exclaimed the latter. "Why, my dear boy, didn't you
speak, and so have ordered a supper-tray?"

"But you seem to be hungry too," growled the admiral, pointing with the
wing he had now torn-off at a plate and knife and fork his brother
carried.

"Eh? yes," said the captain, starting and looking conscious. "I--er--
that is--"

"Why, Harry!" exclaimed Sir Thomas.

"Tom!" cried the captain. "You don't mean that you have come down to--"

"Yes, I do," cried the admiral, fiercely. "Think I was going to bed
after a good dinner to shut my eyes whilst that poor boy was
half-starved?"

"But it is a punishment for him," said the captain, sternly.

"Punishment be hanged, sir!" cried Sir Thomas. "Harry, you are my
brother, and I am only a guest here, but you are a humbug, sir."

"What do you mean?"

"Mean that you've been bouncing about being strict, and the rest of it,
and yet you brought that plate and knife to cut your boy some supper."

"Well, er--I'm afraid I did, Tom."

"I'm not afraid