you have," said the king.

"Is it not!" exclaimed Armstrong, seemingly delighted that it pleased
his visitor.

After the mechanical device had landed them some fifty feet above the
rocks, they ascended several flights of stairs, a man with a torch
leading the way. The prisoners were conducted to a small room, which
had the roof of the tower for its ceiling. In a corner of the cell
cowered a very abject specimen of the human race, who, when the others
came, seemed anxious to attract as little attention as possible.

Armstrong, again, with his own hands removed the remaining cords from
the prisoners, and the three stretched up their arms, glad to find
them at liberty once more.

"Place the torch in its holder," said Johnny. "Now, gentlemen, that
will last long enough to light you to your supper, which you will find
on the floor behind you. I'm sure you will rest here comfortably for
the night. The air is pure at this height, and I think you'll like
this eagle's nest better than a dungeon under the ground. For my own
part, I abhor a subterranean cell, and goodness knows I've been in
many a one, but we're civilised folk here on the Border and try to
treat our prisoners kindly."

"You must, indeed, earn their fervent gratitude," said the king.

"We should, we should," returned Johnny, "but I'm not certain that we
do. Man is a thrawn beast as a rule. And now, you'll just think over
your situation through the night, and be ready to answer me in the
morning all the questions I'll ask of you. I'll be wanting to know who
sent you here, and what news you have returned to him since you have
been on the Border."

"We will give your request our deep consideration," replied the king.

"I'm glad to hear that. You see, we are such merciful people that we
have but one rope to hang our enemies with, while we should have a
dozen by rights. Still, I think we could manage three at a pinch, if
your answers should happen to displease me. You will excuse the
barring of the door, but the window is open to you if your lodgings
are not to your liking. And so, good-night, the three of you."

"Good-night to you, Mr. Armstrong," said the king.

Peter had drawn in the rope, and its sinister loop lay on the floor,
its further length resting on the window sill, and extending out to
the end of the beam. The cobbler examined it with interest. "Come,"
cried the king, "there is little use letting a supper wait for the
eating merely because we s