nding
back, being filled with guards, one being beside the coachman on the
box, and two others standing behind. An officer and two soldiers
followed Sir Robert. The door was banged to as Frank and Andrew dashed
forward, and forced their way past the sentries who kept back the crowd.

It required little effort, for as soon as the Guards recognised them
they gave place, and enabled them to run beside the coach for a little
way, waving their hands to the banished man.

Sir Robert saw them, and leaned forward, and his face appeared at the
window, when, as if influenced by one spirit, the soldiers uttered a
tremendous cheer, the rest joined in, and the next minute the boys stood
panting outside in front of the clock tower, with the carriages
disappearing on their way east.

"Oh, Frank, Frank!" cried Andrew excitedly, "is this free England? If
we had only known--if we had only known."

Frank's heart was too full for speech, and, hardly heeding his
companion's words, he stood gazing after the two coaches, feeling lower
in spirits than he ever had before in his life.

"We ought to have known that the soldiers and the people were all upon
his side. A little brave effort, with some one to lead them, and we
could have rescued him. The men would have carried everything before
them."

"Rather curious expressions of opinion for one of the royal pages, young
gentleman," said a stern voice.

"Captain Murray!" cried Andrew, who was thoroughly startled to find his
words taken up so promptly by some one behind him.

"Yes, my lad, Captain Murray. I am glad, Gowan, that such words did not
fall from you, though in your case they would have been more excusable."

"Perhaps, sir," cried Frank, in his loyalty to his friend, though
truthfully enough, "it was because I could not speak. I wish I had
helped to do it, though."

"Hah! Yes, brave and manly, but weak and foolish, my boy. Recollect
what and where you are, and that whispers spoken in the precincts of the
Palace often have echoes which magnify them and cause those who uttered
them much harm."

"I'm not sorry I spoke," said Andrew hotly. "It has been horribly
unjust to Sir Robert Gowan."

"Suppose we discuss that shut in between four walls which have no ears,
my lad. But let me ask you this, my hot-blooded young friend--suppose
you had roused the soldiers into rising and rescuing Sir Robert Gowan,
what then?"

"It would have been a very gallant thing, sir," said