se I should have seen that old Jenk was perhaps of more
use here than I am. Can't you see, Master Roy?"

"I can't see what you mean, Ben."

"Why, that old chap's about the finest sample of a reg'lar soldier that
these young fellows can have. I believe if the enemy did come, that old
man would draw the sword that shakes in his weak old hand, and march
right away to meet 'em as bravely as the best here."

"I'm sure he would, Ben," said Roy, warmly.

"Then he's one of our best men still, sir. Come on--I mean give the
order, sir, and let's go our rounds."

Then, in the silence of the dark night, Roy led the way to the winding
stair, and mounted silently to the ramparts, closely followed by Ben
with the blinded lantern, and on reaching the top, they walked on to the
left to the south-west tower; but before they could reach it a firm
voice challenged them from the top. Then after giving the pass they
went on through the tower and out onto the western ramparts, turning now
to where the north-west tower loomed up all in darkness.

"Master Pawson's abed, sir," whispered Ben.

"Yes; not well," was the reply, in the same low tone.

But there was no challenge from here, and Roy walked silently in at the
arched door-way, passed the secretary's door, and mounted the stair to
severely admonish the sentry who was not keenly on the alert.

"Don't let him off easy, Master Roy," whispered Ben; "we might have been
an enemy, sir, for aught he could tell."

This was spoken with the sergeant's lips to his young master's ear, and
a few moments later Roy was at the top of the little turret, and stood
there in the door-way ready to pounce upon the man whom he expected to
find asleep.

But to his great satisfaction the sentry was well on the alert, for he
was kneeling at one of the crenelles, reaching out as far as he could,
and evidently watching something away to the north, while all was so
still and dark that the movement of a fish or water-rat in the deep moat
below sounded loud and strange.

Roy stepped out silently, crossed the narrow leads, and stood looking in
the same direction as the sentinel; but he could make out nothing, and
he was about to speak when the man, who had suddenly divined his
presence, sprang up and clapped his hand to his sword.

"Stand!" he cried, hoarsely.

Roy gave the word, and Ben stepped out of the door-way to his side.

"Why, sir, you quite scared me," faltered the man; "I didn't hear you
co