a cock over
on one side, and displaying a large pink patch of his bald head. "Come
on, brave boys."

"Stop!" cried Ralph quickly. "Three of you, only, are to accompany your
leader."

"Eh? What?" cried the captain fiercely, as a low murmur arose.

"That is what my father said, sir."

"What does this mean?" cried the man theatrically. "Separate me from my
brave companions-in-arms? Does this mean treachery, young sir?"

"Treachery? Why should it mean that?" cried Ralph stoutly, as the man's
words endorsed the character so lately given of him. "If," argued Ralph
to himself, "the fellow were the honest, brave soldier, why should he
fear treachery from the brother-officer with whom he said he had often
shared danger?"

"The world is full of wickedness, boy," replied the captain; "and I have
often been misjudged. But there; a brave man never knows fear. You
three come with me, and if in half an hour I do not come back, boys, you
know what to do."

There was a shout at this, and hands struck sword-hilts with a loud
clang.

"Right, brave boys, and don't leave one stone upon another until you
have found your captain."

Ralph burst out into a fit of laughter, and then felt annoyed with
himself, as the man turned round scowling.

"What do you mean by that, boy?"

"That your men would have their work cut out, sir," said Ralph sharply.
"This way, please."

The captain uttered a low growl, signed to three of his men, and the
party followed the lad, who, to his annoyance, once more came across his
sister, hurrying along the passage.

"Salute, brave boys, salute," cried the captain. "Youth and beauty in
front--the worship of the gallant soldiers of the king."

He struck an attitude, which was roughly imitated by the men.

"A sister, on my life," cried the captain.

"This way," said Ralph shortly, and with the colour coming into his
cheeks, as he felt indignant with the man for daring to notice his
sister, and angry with her for being there.

The door of Sir Morton's room was thrown open, and the captain strode
in, followed by his men; and, as he saw the knight, standing with his
back to the fireplace, he struck a fresh attitude.

"Ah! at last!" he cried. "My old brave companion-in-arms! Well met,
once more."

He stretched out his hands, and swaggered forward to grasp Sir Morton's.

"Halt!" cried that gentleman sharply, without stirring from his
position. "Now, Captain Purlrose, what is your busine