id Captain Murray. "Frank, my lad, your
father asked me to give an eye to you, and bade me tell you that if you
were ever in any difficulty you were to come to me for help. Remember
that please, for I will help Robert Gowan's son in every way I can."

The friendly feeling he had already had for his father's companion all
came back on the instant, and Frank held out his hand.

"Hah, that's right, boy. You have your father's eye for a friend. Come
along, and let's have a quiet chat. I want company to-night, for this
business makes one low-spirited. Come along, Hotspur."

"Do you mean to continue insulting me, sir?" said Andrew sharply.

"I? No. There, you are put out because I spoke so plainly. Look here,
Forbes, I should not like to see you arrested and dismissed from your
service for uttering treasonable words, and you will be one of these
days. It is being talked about in the Palace, but fortunately only by
your friends. Come, it is only a few steps, and we may as well talk
sitting down."

The lad was on the point of declining coldly; but the officer's extended
hand and genial smile disarmed him, and there was something so
attractive in his manner that, unable to resist, he allowed Captain
Murray to pass an arm through his and march both lads to his quarters.

"Hah! this is better," he said, as he placed chairs for his visitors.
"Poor old Gowan! I wish he were with us. Why, Frank, my lad, what a
series of adventures in a short time! Only the other night, and we were
all sitting comfortably at dinner. How soon a storm springs up. Heard
the last about our German friend?"

"Enemy," muttered Andrew.

"Well, enemy if you like. I saw the doctor just before I caught sight
of you, and he told me--"

"Not dead?" said Frank wildly.

"No. He has made a sudden change for the better. The doctor says he
has the constitution of an ox, and that has pulled him through."

"Ugh!" ejaculated Andrew; and Frank spoke hastily to cover his
companion's rudeness.

"How long do you think my father will have to be away?"

"Till his. Majesty dies, or, if he is fortunate, till your mother and
the Princess have won over his Royal Highness to do battle with his
father on your father's behalf."

"But do you think he is likely to succeed?"

"I hope so, my lad. The King may give way. It will not be from
friendly feeling, or a desire to do a kind action--what do you call
it?--an act of clemency."

"He'll never pa