"What shall we do to-day?" asked Flanagan, who was quite fresh again
after yesterday's hard work.

"Oh, any mortal thing you like," said Shankley. "I mean to go and have
a rare walk over the roof."

"I vote we make up a party and go down to the village," said another.

"No, no," said Smith, looking up, "we must stay indoors, or the thing
will soon get known. You can do anything you like indoors."

There was a little growling at this, although we knew there was reason
in the prohibition.

"I don't see any harm in going out on the heath," said Rathbone; "you
did that yourself once."

"Yes, and some one saw me do it," replied Smith. "I say, stay in
doors."

His tone was peremptory, and as usual it had its due effect. The
fellows ate their breakfast quietly and said no more about it.

The meal was rather a protracted one, owing to Rathbone having forgotten
to put the bag in the coffee-pot before he inserted the coffee, and thus
spoiling the beverage altogether. He was sent back to make it over
again--a circumstance which by no means had the effect of soothing his
spirits.

By the time breakfast was done the hour had nearly arrived when our
prisoners were to give their answers to our manifesto.

As we were preparing to march up stairs, with a view to ascertain their
decision, Hawkesbury met us, coming down with his hat on.

"Where are you going?" demanded Smith.

Hawkesbury looked very pleasant indeed as he replied, "Oh, please don't
mind me. I'm going out for a walk. I've got a headache, and really I
don't see much use playing about indoors."

Smith's face darkened. "Didn't you hear me say there was no going out?"
he said.

Hawkesbury smiled and seemed much amused. Smith's wrath was rising
apace. "What I said I'll stick to!" cried he, standing across the step.
"You sha'n't go out!"

"Hawkesbury," I interposed, anxious to avert a row, "we've all promised
to obey the captain, you know."

"Really," replied Hawkesbury, "I didn't. Please let me pass, Smith."

"Then you were speaking false," exclaimed the irate Smith, "when you
said you did promise?"

"Really, Smith, I didn't say I did promise--"

"Wretched liar!" replied Smith.

"That's not a nice name to call a fellow," mildly replied Hawkesbury.
"I hope I'm a gentleman, and don't deserve it."

"Bah," said Smith, in tones of utter disgust, standing aside and letting
his enemy pass. "Go where you like, we want no sneaks here!"

Hawkesbury