"Oh no, madam!" he replied. "I don't wish to frighten anyone. If Dick prefers it, I am quite willing to send him to his friends. They are all at Arncastor. He will know whether they are prepared, and how prepared, to receive him." "Not that!" Dick cried. "Not that!" "Ah!" said Dent to the other officer, "a pretty conclusive proof his story is a lie, Strong." "Oh, if he admits 'tis a lie, and that there were men and a commander at Dent, I've no more against him," Strong said. "The rumour that one man and a boy kept us out must be stopped. And methinks 'tis to your interest also that men shouldn't say your paid servant kept us out where you'd lured us to enter." "Tell the truth, Dick," said Dent fiercely. "Or to-morrow I send you to Arncastor. They will cut the truth out of you there, whilst the Cavaliers look on." Dick turned white, but he said nothing. "Say 'twas a gentleman at Dent. That you had a garrison--that's all," Dent urged. The boy was silent. "Very good," said Dent rising. "Corporal!" A soldier entered saluting. "Take charge of this boy, Richard Chester, and conduct him to Arncastor to-morrow." Dick sprang towards him, clutched his arm, and cried: "Kill me here! Kill me here! I can't bear that!" Lady Dorothy swept forward, and drawing Dick to her, she folded her beautiful arms about him. "John Dent!" she said in a low voice, but very clear and cutting. "You coward! How will you answer to your God for this offence? You know 'tis a fabric of lies about our people desiring his punishment--a fabric of lies, and you reared it. Stand back, sir!" "Take care, madam!" he said angrily. "Ah!" she said scornfully. "I do not fear a coward!" "Then you shall confess me a brave man, for you shall fear me! He shall die!" "You have no power to do it," she said, but Dick felt her tremble under Dent's glance. "He has borne arms. He was Captain of Dent. Scotch your snake when he's small, madam. He dies at sun-up." "Sir," said her ladyship in an altered tone, "if I plead with you--" "'Tis likely mere pleading will be heard after your insults! Richard, step out, sir! If you hide in her Ladyship's skirts any longer, my men shall drag her away." Dick kissed her hands swiftly, tore them away, and stood out alone. "Take him away, Corporal," Dent commanded. "May I go to my own room?" Dick asked. "I've been very happy there. It has a high window. I couldn't escape." He was addressing Captain Strong, who sat back in his chair, with a slightly, puzzled expression. "Let him have his way," he said hastily to the corporal. "And Dent--I say, Dent, have not we very suddenly jumped to this conclusion? He is but a child!" "Away!" cried Dent to the corporal. "What, Strong? Nay, thus I kill rumours. Now, madam, will it please you to leave us, or must I send for a guard for you, also?" Lady Dorothy turned to Strong. "Sir," she said, "you will not suffer this? You will exercise your power--"