trouble and possible loss of
time must result from Sir Crispin's obstinacy, did they attempt to force
a way into the house, and bethinking himself, also, maybe, how well this
rascally ruffler stood with Lord Middleton, the ensign determined to
withdraw, and to seek elsewhere.

And so he took his leave with a venomous glance, and a parting threat
to bring the matter to the King's ears, upon which Galliard slammed the
door before he had finished.

There was a curious smile on Crispin's face as he walked slowly to the
table, and resumed his seat.

"Master Stewart," he whispered, as he spread his cards anew, "the comedy
is not yet played out. There is a face glued to the window at this
moment, and I make little doubt that for the next hour or so we shall be
spied upon. That pretty fellow was born to be a thief-taker."

The boy turned a glance of sour reproof upon his companion. He had not
stirred from his chair while Crispin had been at the door.

"You lied to them," he said at last.

"Sh! Not so loud, sweet youth," was the answer that lost nothing of
menace by being subdued. "Tomorrow, if you please, I will account to
you for offending your delicate soul by suggesting a falsehood in your
presence. To-night we have a man's life to save, and that, I think, is
work enough. Come, Master Stewart, we are being watched. Let us resume
our game."

His eye, fixed in cold command upon the boy, compelled obedience.
And the lad, more out of awe of that glance than out of any desire to
contribute to the saving of Hogan, mutely consented to keep up this
pretence. But in his soul he rebelled. He had been reared in an
atmosphere of honourable and religious bigotry. Hogan was to him a
coarse ruffler; an evil man of the sword; such a man as he abhorred and
accounted a disgrace to any army--particularly to an army launched upon
England under the auspices of the Solemn League and Covenant.

Hogan had been guilty of an act of brutality; he had killed a man; and
Kenneth deemed himself little better, since he assisted in harbouring
instead of discovering him, as he held to be his duty. But 'neath the
suasion of Galliard's inexorable eye he sat limp and docile, vowing
to himself that on the morrow he would lay the matter before Lord
Middleton, and thus not only endeavour to make amends for his present
guilty silence, but rid himself also of the companionship of this
ruffianly Sir Crispin, to whom no doubt a hempen justice would be meted.