him, and I wouldn't. Oh,
don't say you can't see!"

"Yes, I can see," said the Prince, without taking his eyes off him.
"Did you know of this, Captain Murray?"

"I? No, your Royal Highness. It is fresh to me."

"Read."

Captain Murray took the book, read the scrap of writing, and, forgetting
the Prince's presence, he held out his hands to his brother-officer's
son.

"Oh, Frank, my boy!" he cried, "forgive me for doubting your word."

"Oh yes, I forgive you!" cried the lad, seizing and clinging to his
hands. "I knew you'd find out the truth. I don't mind now."

"Humph!" ejaculated the Prince, looking on gravely, but with his face
softening a little. "The boy's honest enough, sir. But you occupy a
very curious position, young gentleman, a very curious position, and
everything naturally looked very black against you."

"Did it, your Highness? Yes, I suppose so."

"Then you had been quarrelling with that wretched young traitor about
joining the--the enemy?" said the Prince.

Frank winced at "wretched young traitor"; but he answered firmly:

"Yes, sir; we were always quarrelling about it, but I hoped to get him
to think right at last."

"And failed, eh?" said the Prince, with a smile.

"Yes, sir."

"And pray, was it about this business that you fought out yonder?"

"It had something to do with it, sir," said Frank, flushing up. "He
said--"

Frank stopped short, looking sadly confused, and grew more so as he
found the questioner had fixed his eyes, full now of suspicion, upon
him.

"Well, what did he say, sir?"

Frank was silent, and hung his head.

"Do you hear me, sir?"

"Must I speak, Captain Murray?" said the boy appealingly.

"Yes, the simple truth."

"He said, your Royal Highness, that my father had joined the enemy, and
was a general in the rebel army, and I struck him for daring to utter
such a lie--and then we fought."

"Why?" said the Prince sternly, "for telling you the truth?"

"The truth, sir!" cried the boy indignantly. "Don't say you believe
that of my father, sir. There is not a more faithful officer in the
King's service."

"Your father is not in the King's service, but holds a high command with
the rebels, boy."

"No, sir, no!" cried the lad passionately; "it is not true." At that
moment, when he had not heard the rustling of a dress, a soft hand was
laid upon Frank's shoulder, and, turning sharply, he saw that it was the
Princess who had approached and now lo