shed him good morning, getting in reply an amazed stare. The man was
not disposed to talk, though Heritage made some interesting
observations on the weather, but departed quicker than he came, in the
direction of the West Lodge.

Just before nine o'clock he returned with Dobson and Leon. They made a
very complete reconnaissance of the Tower, and for a moment Heritage
thought that they were about to try to force an entrance. They tugged
and hammered at the great oak door, which he had further strengthened
by erecting behind it a pile of the heaviest lumber he could find in
the place. It was imperative that they should not get in, and he got
Dickson's pistol ready with the firm intention of shooting them if
necessary. But they did nothing, except to hold a conference in the
hazel clump a hundred yards to the north, when Dobson seemed to be
laying down the law, and Leon spoke rapidly with a great fluttering of
hands. They were obviously puzzled by the sight of Heritage, whom they
believed to have left the neighbourhood. Then Dobson went off, leaving
Leon and Spidel on guard, one at the edge of the shrubberies between
the Tower and the House, the other on the side nearest the Laver glen.
These were their posts, but they did sentry-go around the building, and
passed so close to Heritage's window that he could have tossed a
cigarette on their heads.

It occurred to him that he ought to get busy with camouflage. They must
be convinced that the Princess was in the place, for he wanted their
whole mind to be devoted to the siege. He rummaged among the ladies'
baggage, and extracted a skirt and a coloured scarf. The latter he
managed to flutter so that it could be seen at the window the next time
one of the watchers came within sight. He also fixed up the skirt so
that the fringe of it could be seen, and, when Leon appeared below, he
was in the shadow talking rapid French in a very fair imitation of the
tones of Cousin Eugenie. The ruse had its effect, for Leon promptly
went off to tell Spidel, and when Dobson appeared he too was given the
news. This seemed to settle their plans, for all three remained on
guard, Dobson nearest to the Tower, seated on an outcrop of rock with
his mackintosh collar turned up, and his eyes usually on the misty sea.

By this time it was eleven o'clock, and the next three hours passed
slowly with Heritage. He fell to picturing the fortunes of his
friends. Dickson and the Princess should by