nceless. Lemon's horn sent forth a long
wail of despair, while the other horns sounded notes of triumph, and the
castle was declared to be truly and gloriously won.

"It is not your first military triumph, and I hope will not be your
last," said Ellis to Ernest, as they were marching homeward.

"Nor yours either, and I hope will not be your last. If I go into the
army, my great delight will be to find that you are going also."

When the boys reached the house, all the visitors from the neighbourhood
found that they were expected to dine and spend the evening. The
combatants did ample justice to the fare set before them, and it was
announced that a conjuror would make his appearance in the evening, to
astonish them with his wonderful performances. Ernest and Bouldon
disappeared directly after dinner. Ernest said he had to go and make
preparations for the conjuror, and Tom, putting his hand to his heart,
said that he felt it his duty to go and help him. When the boys came up
from dinner they found one end of the large drawing-room, in which there
was a deep recess, fitted up as a theatre, and in the centre a table, at
which sat a man with a huge pair of spectacles, a long white beard and
moustache, a high conical cap, covered over with all sorts of strange
hieroglyphics, and many other curious devices. Round his head was a
turban. He wore a tight green waistcoat, a red silk flowing robe over
it, while a handsome sash bound his waist, in which was stuck an
ink-horn, a wand, a huge knife or dagger, a pistol, and several other
articles. Altogether, he was a somewhat formidable-looking character.
By his side appeared, when the curtain drew up, a curious-looking clown,
with a huge face, with all sorts of twists and curls in it, great big
ears, a cock-up nose, and a short stumpy beard. This extraordinary
physiognomy was covered with a high cap, which had a tassel and bells.
He wore also a party-coloured waistcoat, huge full breeches of all the
colours of the rainbow, hose of yellow, and long shoes with rosettes of
vast size. He stood forth a veritable clown or jester of bygone days.

The magician rose. He seemed to be a very tall man, and contrasted
strongly with his attendant, who was one of the roundest, shortest, most
punchy-looking little men ever seen. A symphony was played on a piano
behind the curtains, during which the magician waved his wand, and then
in a deep voice he explained that he was about to per