yet?" said he sardonically.

"I dare not," the lad confessed. "I dare not go alone."

Galliard laughed softly; then suddenly waxed grave.

"Ere we go, Master Kenneth, I would again remind you of your assurance
that were we to regain our liberty you would aid me in the task of
vengeance that lies before me."

"Once already have I answered you that it is so."

"And pray, are you still of the same mind?"

"I am, I am! Anything, Sir Crispin; anything so that you come away!"

"Not so fast, Kenneth. The promise that I shall ask of you is not to
be so lightly given. If we escape I may fairly claim to have saved your
life, 'twixt what I have done and what I may yet do. Is it not so?"

"Oh, I acknowledge it!"

"Then, sir, in payment I shall expect your aid hereafter to help me in
that which I must accomplish, that which the hope of accomplishing is
the only spur to my own escape."

"You have my promise!" cried the lad.

"Do not give it lightly, Kenneth," said Crispin gravely. "It may cause
you much discomfort, and may be fraught with danger even to your life."

"I promise."

Galliard bowed his head; then, turning, he took the Bible from the
table.

"With your hand upon this book, by your honour, your faith, and your
every hope of salvation, swear that if I bear you alive out of this
house you will devote yourself to me and to my task of vengeance until
it shall be accomplished or until I perish; swear that you will set
aside all personal matters and inclinations of your own, to serve me
when I shall call upon you. Swear that, and, in return, I will give
my life if need be to save yours to-night, in which case you will be
released from your oath without more ado."

The lad paused a moment. Crispin was so impressive, the oath he imposed
so solemn, that for an instant the boy hesitated. His cautious, timid
nature whispered to him that perchance he should know more of this
matter ere he bound himself so irrevocably. But Crispin, noting the
hesitation, stifled it by appealing to the lad's fears.

"Resolve yourself," he exclaimed abruptly. "It grows light, and the time
for haste is come."

"I swear!" answered Kenneth, overcome by his impatience. "I swear, by my
honour, my faith, and my every hope of heaven to lend you my aid, when
and how you may demand it, until your task be accomplished."

Crispin took the Bible from the boy's hands, and replaced it on the
table. His lips were pressed tight, and he avoided the