no time for uttering warnings, and Roy knew it. He glanced once
at the tiny sparkling going on at the touch-hole of the gun, and sprang
right at the secretary, driving him backward and falling heavily with
him to the ground.

It was none too soon, for the gun went off with a tremendous roar,
leaping up from the paving and running back on its low wheels right over
the spot where the secretary had just stood.

"Guns is guns, and always was," said Ben, very grimly; "and them as has
to do with 'em wants to know all their little ways. I have know'd a
man's arm took off by the recoil, and, if you don't take care, their
breeches is as dangerous to them as fires 'em as is their muzzles."

"Hurt, sir?" cried Roy, offering his hand after gaining his own feet,
ready to help the tutor to rise.

Master Pawson made no reply, neither did he take the extended hand, but
rose and walked away limping, going right down through the pleasaunce so
as to reach his own room without having to pass through the corridor.

"Bit rusty, I s'pose, sir," said Ben, quietly.

"I am afraid so, Ben," was the reply. "But I don't think there's much
doubt about the powder."

"Doubt, sir; why, it's stronger than they makes now, or else it has got
riper and better for keeping. We're all right there."

"Yes, capital! but that report rings in my ears still."

"Ay, sir, a brass gun can ring as well as roar; but you won't mind it
after a few times."

"I don't feel to mind it now," said Roy, coolly.

"Not you, sir," whispered the old fellow. "And I beg your pardon,
Master Roy, and you've done me, and yourself too, a lot of good. It
would ha' been horrid for the men to think you was scared. I never
thought of frightening my lady with the row. Tell the lads to sponge
the guns out with a bit o' rag, and then we'll run 'em back to their
places again."

Roy gave the order, and then had the sentry changed at the gate, after
which there was another duty to have performed,--that of raising the
drawbridge.

"No fear of any one forgetting and walking into the moat at night, is
there, Ben?"

"Well, no, sir; I think not," said the old soldier, seriously. "You
see, the bridge shuts up all the middle when it's raised, and that makes
it sure, while at those sides nobody could tumble in without trying to;
so I don't see no fear of that. Shall we haul her up, sir?"

"Yes." And giving the order, as soon as the guns were in place, he led
the way up into