ything, he'd be pretty sure to speak."

"Of course. Then I will go. Come and light me." Roy hurried along
back with Ben following and casting the boy's shadow before him, till
they reached the arched door-way, where they went up the few stone steps
in the spiral staircase, reached the oaken door leading into the
apartments, felt for the latch, raised it, and gave it a loud click; but
the door did not yield to the boy's pressure, and he tried it again, and
then gave it a shake. "Why, he has locked himself in, Ben!"

"Has he, sir? Didn't want to be 'sturbed, maybe."

"Perhaps he was frightened by the noise we made, and then fastened
himself in," said Roy, with a laugh.

Ben chuckled at the idea.

"Well, sir, not the first time we've frightened him, eh?"

"Hush! I want to let him know who it is now knocking," said Roy; "it is
startling to be woke up in the middle of the night. Master Pawson--
Master Pawson!" he said, gently; and he tapped lightly with his fingers.

But there was no reply, and Roy tapped and called again, but still
without result.

"He's too fast asleep to hear you, sir."

"Well, he ought to bear that," said Roy, giving the door a good rattle,
and then tapping loudly.

"One would think so, sir; but he don't seem to have his ears very wide
open, or else he's too much scared to stir."

"Master Pawson! Master Pawson!" cried Roy, loudly now; and he once more
rattled the door. "How are you?"

"Fast as a church, sir," said Ben; "and I wouldn't rattle no more,
because you'll be having the sentry up atop after us. Better go and
speak to him, or he'll be raising the guard."

Ben went up on the winding stair, and spoke to the sentry, who
challenged him as he reached the top, and was much relieved on hearing
his sergeant's voice.

"Didn't know what to make of it," he said; "and I should have fired,
only my piece wouldn't go off."

"Well, let this be a lesson to you, my lad, to keep your firelock in
order."

"Yes, sergeant; I will in future."

"We might have been the enemy coming. See any more of that light, or
hear any more noise over yonder?"

"No, nothing."

"Not heard nothing from Master Pawson, I suppose?"

"Not since he came up and spoke to me before he went to bed. Said his
head was queer or something--spoke mighty pleasant, and that he was
sorry for me who had to watch all night."

"Well?"

"That was all; only I said I was sorry for him having such a bad head."

Ben we