w did you get away, Raynes?"

"Left it till this morning, sir, when I was feeding my horses, after
emptying a couple of sacks for theirs. Waited till there was a chance,
and then I jumped on old Ball here, who can go like fun when he gets
warm, and galloped off. They shot at me, and I heard the bullets
whistle, and then about a dozen came in pursuit, galloping after me till
we got within sight of the towers; and then they drew back, and here I
am. I thought you ought to know somehow that the enemy was so near."

"Then they're not a mere rabble of men?"

"Not they, sir. Reg'lar soldiers, and they've got big guns in the
market-place. Quite a little army."

"Thank you, Raynes," said Roy, gravely. "It was very good and brave of
you to bring the news like this. Halt there, men. Take your arms
again. We shall perhaps have some work to do." Then briefly giving his
orders, which had long enough before been arranged between him and Ben,
the latter led one little party to the south-west tower, and the
corporal took another to the north-west, while Roy himself mounted with
a party into the gate tower, where at his word of command the portcullis
dropped with a loud clang, and directly after the drawbridge began to
rise till it was back in the position it always occupied by night.

This part of the business of preparation for unwelcome visitors being
accomplished, Roy mounted to the leads, where he placed a sentry to keep
a good lookout, and then turned to see if his men were ready.

They stood in a group on each tower waiting, Ben and the corporal
swinging a port-fire from time to time to keep it well in a glow; and
then standing on the breastwork above the machicolations, Roy looked out
as far as he could see in search of enemies, where, however, all looked
beautiful and at peace.

But it could be no false alarm. The time for action had come; and,
turning to the right, he waved his hands, turned to the left, and did
likewise; and directly after a puff of grey smoke darted out from the
top of each tower, followed by two rapidly succeeding peals like
thunder, which echoed through the castle, making the jackdaws fly out of
their resting-places to wheel round, crying vociferously.

"Now," said Roy to himself, "the staff is ready. It's time to raise the
king's flag."

But the flag was still in Lady Royland's hands, and the boy descended to
cross to her private apartments and fetch it away.

But half-way across th