ear after a bit," said Roy, at a
venture. "I see you are pretty well fitted, and--What's that, Ben?"

For voices came from the gate-way beyond the drawbridge, a hundred yards
from where they were standing.

"I'll see, sir," said Ben, importantly, as he drew himself to the
salute. "Beg pardon, sir," he added in a low tone; "be better now if
you'd make everything soldierly and speak to me as sergeant. Don't see
why my old rank shouldn't tell now, and it will help me with the three
troopers, for one of 'em's a corporal."

Roy nodded, and directly after followed his sergeant, for he began to
have an inkling of what was going on.

As he crossed the drawbridge, it was in time to hear Master Pawson say,
in his high-pitched voice and in a tone of anger that was quite new--

"Oh, there you are, Martlet! What is the meaning of all this folly?
Rogers dressed up, and telling me I can't come in without an order from
her ladyship."

"Quite right, sir," said Ben, steadily; "only he didn't know he was to
let in any one belonging to the place."

"But what does it mean? I've been out since morning, and I return to
find the gate locked, and a man playing at being a sentry. Why, Roy, my
dear boy, surely this is not some bad joke of yours?"

"Unfasten the gate, Rogers, and let Master Pawson in," said Roy, with
his face turning scarlet; and, seeing his look of confusion, the
secretary continued--

"Oh, I see; it is playing at soldiers. And gracious me! who are those
under the gate-way? Surely troops have not arrived in my absence. My
dear Roy, surely her ladyship does not countenance this? It is too
absurd."

Annoyance made the boy feel indignant, and he knew that those near him
expected him to speak on their behalf.

"It is not absurd, Master Pawson," he replied, sharply. "The castle is
being placed under military rule now, and will be put in a state of
defence as soon as possible."

"That's so!" growled Ben, whose face was black as a thunder-cloud.

Master Pawson gave him a quick look, but he did not speak to him, but to
Roy.

"A state of defence!" he said, in a tone of raillery; "what nonsense!
and pray, why?"

"On account of the troubled times, sir."

"Troubled times! What troubled times?"

"Surely you know, sir, who have been bringing my mother news of the
revolution."

Master Pawson's eyes opened a little more widely, for he was astonished.
The boy addressing him seemed no longer the quiet, sport-lov