[Illustration: Cover art] [Frontispiece: DICK ANSWERS THE ROUNDHEAD MESSENGER] Dick Chester A Story of the Civil War BY G. I. WHITHAM _ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL HARDY_ BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY CONTENTS CHAP. I. Dick Swims the Moat II. Captain of Dent III. The Enemy at Dent IV. The Flag goes Down--and Up V. Giles makes a Sortie VI. Dick and Giles draw Lots VII. Giles's Master VIII. Dick's Disappearance IX. Master Purvis tells a Tale X. The Inn-keeper's Boy XI. The Lady Dorothy Byng XII. Dick's Cousin XIII. Lady Dorothy's Story XIV. The Coming of John Dent XV. Dick Meets Death XVI. Her Ladyship's Promise XVII. Dick goes for Help XVIII. In their Majesties' Lodgings XIX. Giles's Master again XX. Giles XXI. The End of John Dent XXII. Dick's Return XXIII. Her Ladyship Finishes her Story ILLUSTRATIONS Dick answers the Roundhead Messenger ... _Frontis._ "He held up a bright object dangling from a silk string" [missing from source book] "May I come in, madam?" he asked [missing from source book] DICK CHESTER CHAPTER I DICK SWIMS THE MOAT Giles the stableman had led out the horses, the two horses--one for the steward, Master Purvis, one for Captain Dent,--and he stood at their heads in the castle-yard. The owner of the castle, Sir Reginald Chester, was dead--killed in battle; Captain Dent, his cousin, did not care to hold Dent Castle for the King, and was leaving it to its fate. The servants had fled, hearing the enemy were at hand. Master Purvis remained, and Giles the stableman--Master Purvis because he was too fat to run away, and Giles by Captain Dent's orders, and for reasons of his own. Dick Chester, the late baronet's son, aged eleven years, stood on the steps, very red in the face, waiting for his cousin. Out came Captain Dent, swinging a riding-whip--a handsome, hard-looking man, dressed in a riding-suit of buff leather, with a breastplate of steel and a crimson sash. His beaver hat was of black, with a waving crimson plume, and a long sword swung at his heels as he strode down the steps. Dick sprang forward. "Cousin--!" he cried. "Is the flag down?" asked Captain Dent of Giles, who stepped back and looked up at the tower. "Yes, sir," he said, saluting. "Cousin John," Dick said, coming up to him again, "I wish to remain behind." "You wish?" said the captain grimly. "Get on to that horse, and be brisk, I advise you. You and your wishes! Go to!" Dick hung back with an angry glance at the captain, who turned to the stableman. "Go and find that fat fool of a steward. Am I to wait all day for servants and children?" He swore as he sprang into the saddle. "What, not up yet?" he thundered, as he saw Dick still irresolute on the steps of the door. "'Tis my house," the boy cried impulsively; "my house, now my father's dead. It was to be held for the King. You've no right to drive us away. You've no business--"