in a manner
which showed that he realized my danger fully.

After giving our horses to our grooms we entered the great hall, and
from there--when the King had withdrawn himself--we went to mine own
room.

How gloomy and lonely did it seem. Something huge, black and terrible
did seem to vanish from the centre of the room, dividing into a score
of parts, and each part retaining, for an instant only, a pair of fiery
eyes, as the light of our lamp burst into the room, dispelling all the
darkness.

Now, on this night my room seemed not the same. Ever did I expect to
see some spirit of evil arise before mine eyes and stretch out its
fantastic arms to seize me. A great gloom had fallen on us both.
Neither spoke for some time; and when at length I said to Harleston:--

"No longer can I bear this life; to-morrow I leave this Palace
forever," mine own voice did seem to startle me; so hollow and
unnatural did it sound.

Then, as if the words I had said were to be turned into a prophecy, a
knock came at the door, and, upon opening, in walked Sir James Tyrrell
and a half a score of men-at-arms.

"I regret, Sir Walter Bradley, that I am compelled to ask you for your
sword, and to tell thee that I now arrest thee."

"Upon what charge?"

"High treason, Sir Walter."

Harleston arose and grasped my hand in a grip that could not be
mistaken.

"Tell not my dear Hazel of this; that is, not at present."

"Keep up thy courage," he replied; "thou shalt not die by the hand of
an executioner. I, thy friend, Harleston, have said it, and I never
yet have told a lie."

I thanked him for his kind words with the pressure of my hand, and with
a firm step marched from the room.

In the hall I met Michael on his way to my quarters. When he saw me he
made a movement as though he thought to attack the soldiers which
surrounded me.

"Farewell, Michael," I said, as a great lump arose in my throat, and I
gripped his mighty hand. "Go to Sir Frederick, in my room, and in
future serve him as faithfully as in the past thou hast served me."

He dropped to one knee and, though I tried to prevent him, he kissed my
hand as though I were a King. Then he arose and walked slowly toward
the door where Harleston stood.

As I marched on I wiped two drops of moisture from the back of my hand.

CHAPTER XXIV

IN THE TOWER

I was conducted into the Tower through the "Traitor's Gate," the which,
when I passed through, added nothing unto