must not know I have been here.
Good-bye!"

"Good-bye, father," cried the boy in a choking voice as he clung to the
strong, firm man, who pressed him to his breast, and then snatched
himself away, and caught up sword and pistol from the table.

For there was a sharp, impatient knocking on the panel of the door, and
Sir Robert whispered:

"We have stayed too long!"

CHAPTER TWENTY.

LADY GOWAN AT BAY.

Obeying the impulse of the moment, Frank snatched the remaining pistol
from the table, and drew his sword, seeing his father nod approval, as
he stretched out his hand to extinguish the light; but before he had
dashed it out, the knocking was repeated, and they heard a well-known
voice.

"Robert--Robert! Open quickly, dearest. It is I."

"Ah!" cried Frank, with his heart giving a tremendous bound, while Sir
Robert unlocked and flung open the door, and clasped his wife to his
breast.

Lady Gowan was half swooning and speechless from excitement; but, making
a brave effort, she recovered herself, and panted out as she struggled
to free herself from her husband's firm arms:

"Quick! Not a moment to lose. Escape for your life."

"What! They know?"

"Yes. The Princess came to my room to warn me. The spies have traced
you here; information has been given at the Palace. The King has been
told, and the Princess bade me try to save your life before the guard
came to arrest you."

"Hah! Sharp work for us, Frank lad. Well, I have seen and kissed you,
darling. Now I must try and save your husband's life."

As he spoke he buckled on his sword belt, thrust his pistols in his
pockets, Frank handing him the second, and took up his hat and the heavy
cloak from where they lay.

"Good-bye, darling. Frank knows how I can get a letter to you through
him."

"Yes, yes; but you are killing me, Robert; for pity's sake, fly!"

"My own! Yes," he whispered, as he folded Lady Gowan in his arms again.

"Ah!" cried Frank wildly, for a heavy series of blows from the
front-door knocker resounded through the house.

"Too late!" cried Lady Gowan wildly, as Frank dashed out of the door to
the front room to peer through the window.

He was back in a few moments, to find his mother clinging to his father,
ghastly with the horrible dread which had attacked her.

"Soldiers--a dozen at least in front!" panted Frank.

There was another loud knocking at the street door.

"Quick, father, out by that window. You can dro