red
as a simple little philosopher. Personally I have no objection to a
man looking like a brigand, but my father always contended that
clothes serve no purpose in real warfare. Thus I felt I had committed
no great injustice in depriving Chord of his red turban.

We set out. I put much faith in the fact that we had no definite
plans, but to my great consternation Doctor Chord almost at once began
to develop well-laid schemes. As we moved toward the scene of our
adventure he remarked them to me.

"First of all," said he, "a strong party should be stationed at the
iron gates, not only to prevent a sally of the garrison, but to
prevent an intrepid retainer from escaping and alarming the city.
Furthermore--"

"My gallant warrior," said I, interrupting him, "we will drop this
question to the level of a humdrum commercial age. I will try to
compass my purpose by the simple climbing of a tree, and to that end
all I could need from you is a stout lift and a good word. Then we
proceed in the established way of making signs over a wall. All this I
explained to you fully. I would not have you think I am about to
bombard my lady-love's house."

With a countenance of great mournfulness he grumbled: "No fascines
have been prepared."

"Very good," said I. "I will climb the tree without the aid of
fascines."

As luck would have it, there was a little inn not very far from the
Earl's house and on the lonely avenue lined with oaks. Here I
temporarily left Jem Bottles and Paddy, for I feared their
earnestness, which was becoming more terrible every minute. In order
to keep them pacified I gave instructions that they should keep a
strict watch up the avenue, and if they saw any signs of trouble they
were to come a-running and do whatever I told them. These orders
suggested serious business to their minds, and so they were quite
content. Their great point was that if a shindy was coming they had a
moral right to be mixed up in it.

Doctor Chord and I strolled carelessly under the oaks. It was still
too early for Lady Mary's walk in the garden, and there was an hour's
waiting to be worn out. In the mean time I was moved to express some
of my reflections.

"'Tis possible--nay, probable--that this is a bootless quest," said I
dejectedly. "What shadow of an assurance have I that Lady Mary will
walk in the garden on this particular morning? This whole thing is
absolute folly."

"At any rate," said the Doctor, "now that you already