this intrusion?"

There was a good deal of the cock bantam about the boy's ways and
speech, but it was manly all the same. He had real authority, too, for
speaking out to the rough, coarse-looking villager, and with quick
military precision the sergeant, whose eyes sparkled on hearing his rank
acknowledged, saluted sharply.

"Beg pardon, sir; on duty," he said. "Me and my men, we are in search
of French spies who are loose somewhere about the forest, and this man
from down the village tells me that one or two of them are likely to be
harboured here. Not a pleasant job, sir, but I am only obeying orders,
and we shall have to search the place."

"Search the place!" cried Waller hotly.

"Yes, sir, in the King's name."

"Oh," said Waller coolly, as he darted a furious glance at Gusset, who
was still opening and shutting his mouth without making a sound; and
then, noting that Martha and Bella had come to the door leading to the
servants' offices, and were looking on, while the gardener, bearing his
scythe, had come round to the porch, to be stopped by the soldier placed
as sentry, who held his musket across the man's chest, "In the King's
name, eh?" said Waller coolly.

"Yes, sir. Very sorry, but my duty."

"Oh, well, I am not going to blame you," said Waller; "but I should have
thought as my father is a county magistrate this house ought to be
respected."

"Yes, sir, of course," said the sergeant; "but don't you see, it's like
protecting him against the French."

"Search away, then," cried Waller, "and when you have done--here,
Martha!"

"Yes, sir," came from the door.

"Don't let these soldiers go away without giving them a crust of bread
and cheese."

"No, sir; I'll have it ready directly," cried Martha; and then, in a
whisper to her fellow-servant, "Bless the boy! Don't he speak up like a
man!"

"Where are you going to begin, sergeant?"

"Thank you, sir, for the lunch," said the sergeant, smiling; and he gave
the lad another admiring look--one that took him in from top to toe,
while his eyes seemed to speak the thoughts of his heart. "What a smart
young officer he'd make! Shouldn't I like the job of drilling him into
shape!"

"Oh, we will begin at the bottom, sir, and search to the top."

"But suppose there are Frenchmen here," said Waller, laughing, "why,
they might be getting away into the woods while you are talking!"

"Not they, sir," said the man, with a cunning smile. "I have got a m