and before many months have gone by," said
Ben, solemnly. "Poor old Jenk! He's been a fine old soldier, and a
true follower of the house of Royland."

"He has, Ben."

"And he's going to be the first prisoner set free."

He gave Roy a meaning look, and they separated, the lad to pass the
other prisoners on the bench, and return their salutes as he went on to
the private apartments and made his way to his own room, to sit down by
the open window to try to think out some way of ending their captivity
by turning the tables on the enemy.

The day was warm, the thinking hard, and at last his brain refused to
work any longer at the task of trying to do an impossible thing, the
result being that Roy suddenly opened his eyes after dreaming that some
people were talking angrily in his room while he slept.

But as he lay back, staring, and seeing that the room was empty, a
familiar and very stern voice came in through the window with these
words, uttered in a perfectly unimpassioned voice, but one which
suggested that against it there was no appeal:

"I have listened to all you had to say, Master Pawson, and all your
complaints. Now, hear me: and you had better take my advice, with which
I shall conclude. In the first place, in accordance with my
instructions, I concluded that iniquitous bargain with you."

"Iniquitous, sir?" cried Pawson, in his highly-pitched voice, which now
sounded quite a squeak.

"Yes, iniquitous. What else do you call it to sell your honour for the
sake of gain? Iniquitous, treacherous; it is all that, but war made it
a stern necessity that we should listen to your proposals. You kept to
your terms; the new government will keep to its bargain. You will
retain the castle and estate, but there was no question of time. I
shall hold this place as a centre as long as we find it necessary. You
can stay here or go till we have left. If you stay, take the advice I
gave you. Go to your room, and stay there always, save when, like some
unclean beast of prey, you come out to prowl at night. For, though your
life is safe, I tell you that there is not a soldier in my force who
does not look upon you with contempt. In future, sir, if you wish to
make any communication to me, be good enough to write."

Roy would have shrunk away, so as not to listen, but these words filled
the room in the silence of that afternoon, and the general's retiring
steps were plainly heard, followed by a low hissing soun