road. "Pretty good proof
that we are in time."

"Why, what is a good sign?" asked Frank.

"So few people about. If the prisoners and their escort had passed,
half Islington would have been out gossiping at their doors."

"Suppose they have come some other way?"

"Not likely. This was to be their route, and at half-past eight two
troops of Horse Guards will march up the road to meet the escort at
Islington. That will bring out the crowd."

Frank winced as if he had suddenly felt the prick of a knife, so sharp
was the spasm which ran through him. For the moment he had quite
forgotten the prospect of an attempt at rescue; now the mention of the
soldiery coming to meet the unhappy prisoners and strengthen the escort
brought all back, and with it the questioning thought:

"Would Drew's friends make the venture when so strong a force would be
there?"

"No--yes--no--yes," his heart seemed to beat; then the rattle of the
horses' hoofs took it up--no, yes, no, yes; and now it seemed to be the
time to tell Captain Murray of the attempt that was to be made, or
rather that was planned.

"And if I tell him he will feel that it is his duty as a soldier to warn
the officer in command of the escort, and he will take them at a sharp
trot round by some other way. Oh, I can't tell him! It would be like
robbing my father of his last chance."

Frank felt more and more that his lips were sealed; and as to the danger
which Murray would incur--well, he was a soldier well mounted, and he
must run the risk.

"As I shall," thought Frank. "It will be no worse for him than for me.
It is not as if I were going to try and save myself. I'll stand by him,
weak boy as I am. Or no; shall I not be escaping with my father?"

He shook his head the next moment, and felt that he could not be of the
rescuing party. He must still be the Prince's page, and return to the
Palace to bear his mother the news of the escape.

"For he will--he must escape," thought the boy. "Drew's friends will be
out in force to-night, and I shall be able to go back and tell her that
he is safe."

As they rode on through the pleasant dark night Frank thought more of
the peril into which his companion was going, and hesitated about
telling him, so that he might be warned; but again he shrank from
speaking, for fear that it might mean disaster to Drew's projects.

"And he has his father to save as well as mine. I can't warn him," he
concluded. "I run the