in his
mouth.

'And what made you follow us?'

'I dauredna stay at hame for the constables,' replied the boy.

'And what have you been doing all this time?'

'Doing, sir? I dinna ken what ye ca' doing--I have been doing naething,'
said Benjie; then seeing something in Redgauntlet's eye which was not
to be trifled with, he added, 'Naething but waiting on Maister Cristal
Nixon.'

'Hum!--aye--indeed?' muttered Redgauntlet. 'Must Master Nixon bring his
own retinue into the field? This must be seen to.'

He was about to pursue his inquiry, when Nixon himself came to him with
looks of anxious haste, 'The Father is come,' he whispered, 'and the
gentlemen are getting together in the largest room of the house, and
they desire to see you. Yonder is your nephew, too, making a noise like
a man in Bedlam.'

'I will look to it all instantly,' said Redgauntlet. 'Is the Father
lodged as I directed?'

Cristal nodded.

'Now, then, for the final trial,' said Redgauntlet. He folded his
hands--looked upwards--crossed himself--and after this act of devotion
(almost the first which any one had observed him make use of) he
commanded Nixon to keep good watch--have his horses and men ready for
every emergence--look after the safe custody of the prisoners--but treat
them at the same time well and civilly. And, these orders given, he
darted hastily into the house.

CHAPTER XXII

NARRATIVE CONTINUED

Redgauntlet's first course was to the chamber of his nephew. He unlocked
the door, entered the apartment, and asked what he wanted, that he made
so much noise.

'I want my liberty,' said Darsie, who had wrought himself up to a pitch
of passion in which his uncle's wrath had lost its terrors. 'I desire
my liberty, and to be assured of the safety of my beloved friend, Alan
Fairford, whose voice I heard but now.'

'Your liberty shall be your own within half an hour from this
period--your friend shall be also set at freedom in due time--and you
yourself be permitted to have access to his place of confinement.'

'This does not satisfy me,' said Darsie; 'I must see my friend
instantly; he is here, and he is here endangered on my account only--I
have heard violent exclamations--the clash of swords. You will gain no
point with me unless I have ocular demonstration of his safety.'

'Arthur--dearest nephew,' answered Redgauntlet, 'drive me not mad! Thine
own fate--that of thy house--that of thousands--that of Britain herself,
are at