erious?"

"I am, sire. Nevertheless, I decline to escape by the road you are
good enough to leave open."

"Your reasons?"

"They are private, as I had the honour to inform your Majesty."

"My lord," said the King, turning irritably to his companion,
"what shall I do to this intractable old man? You have a voice in
this, seeing that he has spoilt four of your favourite guards."

The tall man in scarlet bent and muttered a word or two in a low
voice.

"Ah, to be sure: I had forgotten the youngster. Is this your son,
sir?"

"By adoption only."

"A strapping fellow," said his Majesty, eyeing Tristram from head to
foot.

"And as good as he's tall. Sire, his offence--if offence it be--
arose from the affection he bears me, and from no worse cause.
He would not willingly hurt a fly."

"What is he called?"

"Tristram."

"He has a second name, I suppose?"

"Tristram Salt, then, in full."

The man in scarlet at these words gave a quick, penetrating glance at
the speaker, and for an instant seemed about to speak; but closed his
lips again, and fell to regarding Tristram with interest, as King
William went on:

"He ought to be in my army."

"Your Majesty does him much honour, but--"

"But?"

"May it please your Majesty, I had other intentions concerning him."

"My lord of Marlborough," said the King, turning coldly from the
little man and pointing with his gloved hand towards Tristram,
"allow me to present you with a recruit."

Captain Barker's face was twisted with a spasm of fury. But as he
stammered for words another voice was lifted, and Captain Runacles
came through the crowd. He had been fetched from his laboratory by
Mr. Swiggs, and had arrived on the scene in time to hear the last
sentence.

"Your Majesty! Listen to me!"

King William was turning calmly to ride back to his escort. But at
sight of the intruder's commanding and venerable figure he checked
his mare.

"Pray, sir, who are you? And what have you to say?"

"I'm Jeremy Runacles, and this lad's guardian."

"He is peculiarly unfortunate in the loyalty of his protectors."

"Sire, I have served my country in times past."

"I know it, Captain Runacles. But it seems that you, too, fight only
against the Dutch."

"Your Majesty has, it appears, done me the honour to study my poor
record."

"My word, sir! Does that surprise you?"

"No, sire, it reassures me. For you must be aware that I am no
rebel."

"H'm."

"Thou