ut I'll have these guns manned
at once to cover our working-party."

Ben coughed.

"You don't think that's right?" said Roy, quickly.

"Well, sir, I wouldn't have presumed to interfere with my commanding
officer's orders 'fore any one else. But--"

"Now don't talk nonsense, Ben," said Roy, warmly. "There's no one here
but Master Pawson, who is as anxious about preserving the place as we
are."

"Indeed, I am," said the secretary, earnestly.

"So don't let's have any of that silly ceremony. I wish you wouldn't
pretend to believe I was so conceited."

"I don't, captain," said Ben, abruptly; "only want you to see when
you're wrong."

"Then speak out at once. Now then; you don't think it worth while to
man these guns now?"

"No, sir. If they hear us at work, and attack, we've got to retreat
over the bridge fast as we can, and get it hoisted. Say you've got
these guns manned and loaded, a shot or two might check the attacking
party; but how in the dark are we to know when it is best to fire? How
are we to take aim? And what's to prevent our hitting friends instead
of enemies."

"Fire high, over their heads."

"That's wasting two good charges for the sake of making a noise. I
don't think I'd trouble about them to-night, sir."

"No; you're right.--Eh, Master Pawson?" said Roy.

"I don't much understand these things," said the secretary; "but it
sounds the more sensible idea. You're not offended by my speaking out?"

"_No_; but I soon shall be if you all treat me as if I thought of
nothing but dressing up as a soldier, and wanting to have my own way
over matters where I'm wrong. Come along, down."

Roy led the way down through the corner turret, Master Pawson following
and Ben coming last; while, as they wound round the narrow spiral, the
secretary turned his head to whisper--

"He'll make a splendid officer, Martlet."

The only reply he obtained was a very hog-like grunt; then Ben spoke to
himself:

"I wish to goodness you were along o' the enemy, or anywhere but here;
you're supposed to be a friend, but somehow I can't never feel as if you
are one. My cantank'rousness, I s'pose. Not being a scholard like you,
maybe. Anyhow, though, I'm more use just now than you are; not but what
that's easy, for you aren't none at all."

By this time they were down in the gate-way once more, where the
portcullis was raised as silently as possible in the darkness, the
bridge lowered, and the heavily lade