nsolence on the part of a menial," cried Master Pawson; "and
if it is repeated, I shall ask Lady Royland to dismiss you, sir, at
once."

"And my mother would refuse to dismiss so old and faithful a servant,"
said Roy, warmly.

The secretary looked at the boy wonderingly again, and his eyes
darkened; but he smiled the next moment.

"Come, come, Roy!" he said. "Pray leave off this nonsense, and have the
gate left open. Send the men back to their work. You will thank me for
giving you this advice to-morrow."

"No, Master Pawson, I shall not," said Roy, firmly. "The gate will be
kept locked; no one will be allowed to pass without the word, and
to-night the drawbridge will be raised; by to-morrow, I dare say, we
shall be able to lower the portcullis."

"Are you mad, my boy?"

"I hope not, sir."

"Do you mean to tell me that you will not listen to my advice?"

"Yes, sir; I cannot."

"Then, my good lad, I must be severe. I have tried gentle means. As
your tutor, in whose charge you have been left by your father, I command
you to give up all this silly mummery. You have something better to do
than to waste time over such childish tricks. Go to your room, and stay
there for a while before you come to mine with an apology. Quick! At
once!"

He stood, looking very important, as he gave a quick stamp and pointed
towards the castle.

"You, Jenkin, go and put that sword away! Rogers and Martlet, go back
to your work at once!"

"Stop!" said Roy, firmly, as the men looked at him for help. "Keep as
you are. Master Pawson is my tutor, but he has no right to give you any
orders.--I must ask you, sir, to go to your room, and not to interfere
with what is going on around."

"Hah!" ejaculated Ben, expelling a tremendous pent-up breath, and he
turned and winked at Rogers and Jenk, though the poor old gate-keeper
could not see.

"The boy is mad," cried Master Pawson, flushing angrily now. "This is
beyond bearing. An act of rebellion. Once more, sir, will you obey
me?"

"Obey you, Master Pawson? In my studies, yes. Over the business of the
castle, no!"

"I am striving to save you from being ridiculed by the whole district,
sir, and I appeal to you not to force me to have you humbled by going in
to complain to Lady Royland."

"You will not humble me, sir, by going in to complain to my mother, for
she endorses everything I have done."

"Her ladyship does!" cried Master Pawson, looking quite aghast.

"