e more, very meekly indeed, Marcus said, almost
beneath his breath:

"Yes, Serge; that's quite right. Everything is as you say."

"Ah, well," growled the old soldier, a little mollified by his young
master's frankness, "that don't make it quite so bad. Now then, just
you answer right out. Where were you a-going to go?"

"To join father at the war."

"Hah! I thought as much," cried the old soldier, triumphantly, and
looking as though he credited himself with a grand discovery. "And now
you see what comes of not doing what you are told. I've just catched
you on the hop, and it's lucky for you it's me and not the master
himself. So, now then, it's clear enough what I've got to do."

"To do?" cried Marcus, quickly. "What do you mean, Serge?"

"What do I mean? Why, to make you take off that coat of armour on the
spot. Well, no, I can't do that, because you aren't got nothing else to
wear. Well, never mind; you must go as you are."

"Oh yes, Serge, never mind about the armour; I'll go as I am. But
gather your things together--that bundle of yours."

"How did you know I'd got a bundle?" said the old soldier, suspiciously.

"I have seen you carrying it day after day."

"What! You've seen me day after day?"

"Oh yes. I don't know how long it's been, but I have often seen you
right in front."

"Worse and worse!" cried the old soldier, angrily. "That shows what a
bad heart you've got, boy. You've come sneaking along after me to find
the way, and never dared to show your face."

"I did dare!" cried the boy, indignantly. "But I only saw your back. I
didn't know it was you."

"Oh, you didn't know it was me?" growled Serge. "Well, that don't make
it quite so bad. But you knew it was me that you came to help?"

"No."

"Oh! Then I might have been a stranger?"

"Yes, of course. I saw six men attacking one, and--"

"Oh, come, he ain't got such a bad heart as I thought," said the old
soldier. "And you did behave very well. I did feel a bit proud of you.
But never mind that; we have got something else to talk about," said
Serge, as he rearranged his armour and picked up his wallet and spear.
"Now then, let's get back at once, and mind this, if you attempt to give
me the slip--"

"Give you the slip! Get back!" cried Marcus, excitedly. "What do you
mean by get back at once?"

"Why, get back home to your books and that there wax scratcher to do as
your father said. This is a pretty game, upon