ing into the old
chapel."

Ben gave his head a punch.

"No, sir; and yet I think of it every night just before I go off to
sleep. It ought to be done, for it's of no use to keep polishing up a
pot that's got a big hole somewhere in the bottom."

"Of course it is not," said Roy. "Look here; when will you begin to
search?"

"Let's hit while the iron's hot; sir, eh? You and I will go round and
visit all the sentinels to-night, and then, as we shall have a lantern,
we'll begin."

"Where?"

"Down under the north-west tower, sir."

"And ask Master Pawson to go with us?"

"Nay, sir; we'll keep it all to ourselves."

"But he will hear us about the steps, and opening and shutting doors."

"But he mustn't, sir. I'll oil all the locks and the keys I have, and
we must smuggle our light under a big cloak. No, sir, we don't want
Master Pawson with us; let him study his chirurgery and sewing of cuts,
and stopping up bullet-holes. That'll do for him. This is a job for
the castellan and his head-sergeant, sir; and, if you'll take my advice,
that's the order for the night."

"Very well, Ben; that is the order for the night."

"One word, sir. How is my lady getting on with the flag? That old one
is so tender like, I'm afraid it'll blow to pieces first time it's
hoisted."

"Getting on splendidly."

"Big as the old one, sir?"

"Half as big again, Ben."

"That'll do, sir. I believe in a big flag. It gives the men courage,
and bullies the enemy. Now I really do begin to feel as if I could
breathe."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

THE PASSAGE THAT IS TOO SECRET.

"Going, Roy?" said Lady Royland to her son, as he rose from his seat in
the library that night about an hour after Master Pawson had gone to his
room, retiring early on the plea of a bad headache.

"Yes, mother; I'm going my rounds."

Lady Royland sighed.

"It seems very hard on you, my boy--all this work and watching."

"Oh, I don't mind," said the lad, smiling; "I've got used to it already.
It makes everything go so regularly, and I feel sure that I have done
everything to make the place safe."

"But it is hard upon the sentries, who, but for this, would be
peacefully sleeping in their beds."

"Do us all good, mother. Good-night."

There was an affectionate embrace, and Roy went to his room, buckled on
his sword, put on his helmet, threw a large cloak over his shoulders,
and then went down to the guard-room door in the great lower gate-way,