d his horse and rode back,
while Roy stood there with his heart throbbing as he watched the three
figures depart, and wondered whether it was really he who had spoken, or
all this scene in the deepening evening were part of a feverish dream.

He was brought back to the present by the deep gruff voice of Ben.

"There, sir," he said, with a look of pride at the boy in whose training
he had had so large a share, "I knew you could."

At the same moment Roy glanced at the corporal, who smiled and saluted
him proudly.

"I only wish, sir," he said, "that the colonel had been here."

Roy turned to recross the bridge, feeling as if, in spite of all, this
was part of a dream, when something on high began to flutter over the
great gate tower, and glancing up, it was to see there in front, gazing
down at them as she leaned forward in one of the embrasures, Lady
Royland.

"What is it to be, Roy?" she cried, as he came closer. "Peace or war?"

"War!" he replied, sternly; and the sound seemed to be whispered in many
tones through the great archway as the portcullis fell with its heavy
clang and the drawbridge began to rise.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

WAR TO THE KNIFE.

War to the knife without a doubt, for in the gathering gloom of the
evening, as Roy went up to the top of the north-west tower, followed by
Master Pawson, it was to see that mounted men were in a goodly body
making a complete circuit of the castle, roughly marking out a line
about half a mile in diameter, and at every hundred yards or so a couple
of troopers were halted, and retained their posts.

"Shutting us in, Master Pawson," said Roy, after watching the manoeuvre
for some time.

"Ah!" said the secretary, with a sigh; "they will patrol the country all
round now, and stop communications with the outside."

"Yes," said Roy, frowning; "and I suppose I must give up all hope of the
men from the farm getting in."

"Ah, yes! they are prisoners before this. So your poor father is looked
upon as a rebel now."

"Stop, Master Pawson," said Roy, hotly; "these words must not be spoken
here."

"I only meant them as the opinion of the other party, who presume to say
the estate is confiscated."

"My father acknowledges no other party. Confiscated! Why, this place
has belonged to the Roylands from the days of the Plantagenets, Master
Pawson. Let these people come and take it if they can."

"Ah, yes! that's brave and true, Roy, brave and true. Then you do mean