lding out his hand, which the other took and held.

"Do you?" he said, laughing. "Oh, no, there's no need. Boys generally
quarrel mentally with their teachers just out of want of knowledge. I
know. You've called me old Pawson many a time--now, haven't you?--and
said I was fat and soft and stupid, eh?"

The lad did not answer, but looked scarlet.

"That's all right, Roy. I'm old enough to understand a little about
human nature. Don't you think I mind what a boy says or does in a fit
of spleen. We shall understand one another better as time goes on."

Then turning to Lady Royland, who stood there flushed and with her eyes
humid, he said, with grave respect, "I thank you, madam. It is only
what I should have expected from one of your good, considerate nature,
and I shall never forget it.--There, Roy," he said, "I am going back to
my room, and shall always be there when you want me. I stay there
because I fear to be in the way, but I'll come and do anything you wish
if I can be useful. But, please," he added, with a comical look of
appeal, "don't ask me to buckle on a sword, to come and fight, nor yet
to fire guns. I should be sure to shut my eyes when I pulled the
trigger, and waste the charge. Good-morning; I'm sorry I was so late."

He made as if to go, but paused as Lady Royland took a step or two
forward and held out her hand, which he took and kissed respectfully.

"Thank you, Master Pawson," she said, with her voice low from emotion;
"you have made everything seem brighter to us than it has looked for
days. I feel now that the world is not so cowardly and cruel as this
letter makes out that it was. I thank you. Sir Granby shall know of
your noble conduct, and--"

"No, no! please don't say any more now," cried the secretary, hurriedly;
and he hastened to quit the room.

"I am glad," cried Roy, as the door was closed.

"Glad!" exclaimed Lady Royland; "and I am sorry, Roy, that we should
have been so ready to misjudge."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

BEN MARTLET PROPOSES A SEARCH.

The coming in of Farmer Raynes and his ten men had a capital effect upon
the people round. It was an example which soon bore fruit. After the
first two or three attendances at the castle, they marched there
together, with the farmer by them, in thorough military fashion, and
were followed by the people from the village, who would have gladly come
across the moat had not the gate been clanged-to by the sentry of the
day