" said Sir Robert; and he turned back to his son, who
clung to his hands. "Quick, Frank boy. Your mother--well?"

"Very, very ill. Heart-broken."

"Hah!" groaned Sir Robert.

"But, father, these handcuffs? Surely you are not--"

"Yes, yes. I'm a dangerous fellow now, my boy. We are all chained hand
and foot like the worst of criminals, my friends and I."

"Oh!" groaned Frank.

"Bah! Only iron," said Sir Robert bitterly. "Never mind them now.
Tell me of your mother. Are you still at the Palace?"

"Yes; the Princess--the Prince--will not hear of our leaving, and--"

Then a note from a trumpet rang out, the horses sprang forward at a
sharp trot, and the dragoon on Frank's left changed his sword to his
left hand, so as to place his right on the rein of the boy's charger,
though it was hardly needed, the well-trained horse bearing off a little
to avoid injury from the wheel, but keeping level with the window, so
that from time to time, though conversation was impossible, father and
son managed to bridge the space between them and touch hands.

It was fortunate for the lad that he was mounted upon a trained cavalry
charger, for he had nothing to do but keep his seat, his mount settling
down at once to the steady military trot side by side with the horse
next to it, and keeping well in its distance behind the horse in front,
so that the rider was able to devote all his attention to the occupant
of the carriage, who leaned forward with his head framed in the darkness
of the window, as if pictured in the sight of his son, possibly for the
last time, for in those hours Sir Robert Gowan had not the slightest
doubt as to what his fate would be.

On his side, Frank sat in his saddle watching his father's dimly seen
face, but ready to start and glance in any direction from which a fresh
sound was heard.

The first time was on reaching the turnpike gate, where the toll-taker
seemed disposed to hesitate about letting the advance guard pass. The
result was an outcry, which sent Frank's heart with a leap toward his
lips, for he felt certain that the attack had commenced. But the
foremost men dismounted, seized the gate, lifted it off its hook hinges,
and cast it aside, the troops and carriages thundered through, and made
the people of Highgate village come trooping out in wonder to see what
this invasion of their quiet meant.

Then the descent of the hill commenced, with the heavy old-fashioned
carriages swaying