s is in a
fine taking about 'em."

"Can't be helped, Ben; we must do our best without them."

"Ay, sir, we must, even if it's bad."

They remained silent for a few minutes, gazing outward, hearing the
jingle of harness, and the soft trampling of hoofs, all of which sounded
wonderfully near.

The pause was broken by Ben, who whispered suddenly:

"You're right, Master Roy, after all; they are coming in a bit closer
and no mistake. Mind coming round with me?"

"No. What are you going to do?"

"Have a word with the lads all round to be on the lookout. I don't want
to make a noise, and get blazing away powder and shot for nothing; but
they must be taught their distance, sir."

"With the cannon?"

"No; I think a few firelock shots might do it to-night, sir; and that
wouldn't be so wasteful. Do our boys good too. They haven't fired
their pieces yet in earnest."

Roy's heart began to beat a little faster, for this was exciting; and
silently passing on with his lieutenant, post after post was visited,
the men challenging, receiving the word, and then a sharp warning to be
on the alert; while, after this, Ben and Roy passed on to listen again
and again.

"Yes, sir," whispered the former; "there's no mistake they're a good
hundred yards closer in. I almost fancied I could see one of 'em moving
against that lighter bit of sky."

"I can, Ben," whispered Roy. "There, just to the left of where the
ruins must lie--between it and the tower we just passed. Stay, though;
why didn't we go up and see how they're getting on with clearing Master
Pawson's chamber? There is a light up there."

"'Cause we've got something more serious on the way, sir."

"Halt! stand, or I fire!" came from the top of the north-west tower, and
Roy was about to call out--

"Don't, you idiot; we gave you the word just now," when a voice from
beyond the moat uttered a low "Whist!"

"Stand, or I fire!"

"If you do, Dick Davis, I'll punch your head, as sure as you stand
there," came from across the moat. "Can't you see we're friends?"

"Give the word."

"Stop! Who's there?" cried Roy.

"That you, sir? Please speak to Dick Davis, or he'll be shooting
somebody with that gun of hisn."

"Is that Brian Wiggins?"

"Yes, sir, and the rest on us, sir. But pst! The enemy's close
behind."

"Quick! round to the bridge!"

"No, sir; there's a whole lot of 'em come close in. They nearly had us
an hour ago, and we've had a fine job to