I don't believe
they'll do anything to me, because they'll look upon me as a boy, and
I'm reckoning upon its being the grandest piece of fun I ever had. If
they do chop me short off, I leave you my curse if you don't take down
my head off the spike they'll stick it on, at the top of Temple Bar, out
of spite because they could not get Sir Robert's. Good-bye, old usurper
worshipper. I can't help liking you, all the same. Try and get my
sword, and wear it for the sake of crack-brained Drew."

"Poor old Drew!" groaned Frank, in a broken voice. "Oh, mother, I was
not to let you see all this."

"Not see it?" said Lady Gowan softly; and her tears fell fast upon the
letter, as she pressed it to her lips. "Yes, Frank, you would have done
the same. But no; they will not--they dare not punish him. The whole
nation would rise against those who took vengeance upon the brave act of
the gallant boy."

That evening the problem of their future was partly solved by another
letter brought by hand from the Palace. It was from the Princess, and
very brief:

"I cannot blame you for what you have done, for my heart has been with
you through all your trouble. At present you and your son must remain
away. Some day I hope we shall meet again.

"Always your friend."

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

AU REVOIR.

About a fortnight after the events related in the last chapter a little
scene took place on board a fishing lugger, lying swinging to a buoy in
one of the rocky coves of the Cornish coast. A small boat hung behind,
in which, dimly seen in the gloom of a soft dark night, sat a
sturdy-looking man, four others being seated in the lugger, ready to
cast off and hoist the two sails, while, quite aft on the little piece
of deck, beneath which there was a cabin, stood four figures in cloaks.

"All ready, master," said one of the men in a singsong tone. "Tide's
just right, and the wind's springing up. We ought to go."

"In one minute," said one of the gentlemen in cloaks; and then he turned
to lay his hands upon the shoulders of the figure nearest to him: "Yes,
we must get it over, Frank. Good-bye, God bless you, boy! We are
thoroughly safe now; but I feel like a coward in escaping."

"No, Gowan," said the gentleman behind him. "We can do no more. If
they are to be saved, our friends will do everything that can be done.
Remember they wish us gone."

"Yes; but situated as I am it is mad to go. You have your son, thanks
to t