"He being dead," put in Dick's first questioner. "I believe they are all dead in that family; but, being loyal, have come back to help us. This pygmy says he is Sir Richard." Every eye was turned on Dick. "Ay, sir; to-day comes this boy," said my Lord Newcastle, "saying the garrison is composed of himself and a stableman, and that he has come through the enemy's lines for assistance." "And through a variety of other things also, as we perceive," said Dick's tormentor, pointing to his mud-stained clothes. The gentleman in black tapped Dick on the shoulder with his cane, saying: "What is your name, friend?" "Dick Chester," answered the boy, and he held up a bright object dangling from a silk string. "Ha! and what have we there?" asked the gentleman with a slight smile. "It's Giles's. He gave it to me, and said the man who had the other half was his master, and would believe all I said." One of them took the token, and Dick watched anxiously as it passed from hand to hand. His heart sank as one after another handed it on without owning to it. At last it came to the gentleman whom he hated, who shook his head mockingly, and was about to toss it back to Dick when the gentleman in black took it from him. "By your leave, Nephew," he said. Seating himself in the earl's chair, he laid the token on his knee, and, having felt in his pockets, presently laid another bright half beside it. They fitted. He looked up with a whimsical smile. "Evidently," he said, "I am the man." Dick came forward. "You are Giles's master, then," he said. "And this belonged to Giles the stableman?" Dick nodded. "Yes, and my lieutenant at Dent. He should have been captain, but refused it." "In favour of whom?" "Me," said Dick, gaining confidence. "I claimed it because it was my castle, but I wanted him to have it very soon, for he was a better man than I." "A better man never stepped," said the other, repressing a laugh. "But if he had a better, 'twould be you. Now, come--Dick, is it?--come, Dick, then, let us have the news of Dent from beginning to end." He drew the boy to his side, and, whilst the rest of the company stood wondering by, Dick gave the history of the siege, from the moment when he swam the moat to get in, to the moment when he swam the moat to get out. He told all about Giles, who had been found starving by the road-side, of his wonderful wisdom, and of the treachery of John Dent. "Is it to be believed?" queried the Earl of Newcastle. "Every word, my lord," said the gentleman in black; "I vouch for every word that comes from Giles the stableman." His lips twitched with amusement, and, beckoning the earl to come nearer, he whispered in his ear. The earl started and looked round at Dick. "There isn't a doubt of it," said the gentleman in black, rising. "The Chesters were all madmen," said the earl.