ll, where there was the buzzing of voices coming in from the
street, where people were collecting, and he distinctly heard some one
say:

"Here they come."

It did not seem to him to matter who was coming; and he walked quietly
to the door, shot back the bolts, and threw it open, for half a dozen
men to make a dash forward to enter; but the boy stood firmly in the
opening, with his face flushing once more, and looking more like his old
self. "Well," he cried haughtily. "What is it?"

"Mr Bagot--Mr Bagot! Where is he?"

"Bagot? Do you mean the spy who insulted me?" At the word "spy" there
was an angry groan from the gathering crowd, and the men began to press
forward.

"The fellow insulted me," said Frank loudly, "and I locked him in one of
the upstairs rooms."

"Hooray!" came from the crowd. "Well done, youngster!" And then there
was a menacing hooting. "Go and fetch him down," continued Frank.
"Yah! Spies!" came from the mob, and the men on the step gladly obeyed
the order to go upstairs, and rushed into the house.

"Shall we fetch 'em out, sir," cried a big, burly-looking fellow, "and
take and pitch 'em in the river?"

"No; leave the miserable wretches alone," said the boy haughtily.
"Don't touch them, if they go quietly away."

"Hooray!" shouted the crowd; and then all waited till Bagot came
hurriedly down, white with anger, followed by his men, and seized Frank
by the shoulder.

"You're my prisoner, sir."

"Stand off!" cried the lad fiercely; and he wrenched himself free, just
as the mob, headed by the burly man, dashed forward.

"You put a finger on him again, and we'll hang the lot of you to the
nearest lamps!" roared the man fiercely; and the party crowded together,
while Frank seized the opportunity to close the door.

"Look here, fellow," he said haughtily. "I am going back to the Palace.
You can follow, and ask if you are to arrest me there." Then turning
to the crowd:

"Thank you, all of you; but they will not dare to touch me, and if you
wish me well don't hurt these men."

"Ur-r-ur!" growled the crowd.

"Look here, you," cried Frank, turning to the leader of the little riot.
"I ask you to see that no harm is done to them."

"Then they had better run for it, squire," cried the man. "If they're
here in a minute, I won't answer for what happens."

"Then let your lads see me safely back to my quarters," said the boy, as
a happy thought; and starting off, the crowd followed hi