to break in."

"But they said, `in the King's name,' mother," said the boy dubiously.

"And we would not believe them, my boy. Frank, Frank, it is horrible to
incite you to prevaricate and dally with the truth, but it is to save
your father's life. Be silent. On my head be the sin, and I will speak
and bear it."

The crashing of the woodwork went on beneath the blows, and the murmur
that rose like a low, deep accompaniment outside told that a crowd had
collected, and were being kept back by the soldiery.

"This way, Frank," cried Lady Gowan; and she drew her son after her to
the head of the basement steps, where she called aloud to the
housekeeper, who came hurrying up, candle in hand, to where mother and
son stood.

The old woman looked ghastly, and Frank could hear a strange sobbing
from below, in spite of the noise at the front, which was partly
deadened from where they stood.

"Master, my lady?" cried the woman wildly.

"Safe--escaped, Berry," said Lady Gowan, in a voice full of exultation.

"Safe--escaped, my lady!" cried the woman, with the light of exultation
rising now in her countenance. "Then let them batter the house down,
the wretches. I don't care now."

"But, Berry, listen. Sir Robert is out of their reach by now; but they
must not know that he has been here."

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the woman wildly; "they won't get anything out of
me. What! me tell 'em that my dear young master, whom I nursed when he
wasn't half the size of Master Frank--tell 'em he has been here! I'd
sooner have my tongue cut out."

"But the girl--the girl?"

"What her, my lady?" said the housekeeper contemptuously. "Oh, they'll
get nothing out of her to-night but shrieks, and nothing now, for she's
shruck herself hoarse and speechless."

"Ah!" sighed Lady Gowan, "then now I can feel at rest. Come up, Frank."

She led the way to the staircase, and hurried on to the drawing-room,
with the massive front door being broken piecemeal by the heavy
sledge-hammer; but each chain and bolt still held, and there was no way
in yet but for light and noise, so that, before they gave way, Frank had
time to get a light and ignite the candles in two sets of branches in
the drawing-room which they had entered and then fastened the door.

This done, he turned in surprise to see that his mother had thrown back
her hood, rearranged her hair, and was standing there before him
flushed, but proud and perfectly calm.

"Oh, mother!"