"It is not likely," said I contemptuously. "The King will give way before he dies." "Yes, sir," answered the old man thoughtfully. "He ain't the bravest King on earth." "No, but we waste time." "Very good; come this way, sir." I muffled my face in my cloak and disguised my walk so that none of the men on guard or lounging in the courtyard, waiting for their tour of duty to begin, would by any chance recognise me. The sergeant made his way quickly across the courtyard and entered the main building, with me hard at his heels. We proceeded down a large hall, up a long flight of steps, and into a vast apartment, at the further end of which and before a door a soldier stood guard. We marched straight up to him. "Is Lord Stenwold within?" asked the sergeant in a low voice as the man saluted him. "Yes, sir," was the whispered reply, "and he hath left strict order that no one is to disturb him on any account." "There is a messenger here from the Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys," returned Harkins quickly, "who must see the King on a matter of life and death. He must have access to Lord Stenwold; when I have turned him over to my lord my responsibility ceases." "But, sergeant..." began the man, unwilling either to disobey Lord Stenwold's order or too obstinately to resist his sergeant. "Enough," said old Harkins peremptorily. "You will take your orders from me; I will relieve you at this door and guard it myself; you go to the further end of the hall, station yourself outside yonder door, and keep out anybody and everybody at every hazard till you are relieved." "Orders are orders," said the soldier resignedly, "but the responsibility will be yours." "It is mine," assented Harkins. The man shouldered his halbert and marched down to take the post designated--outside the entrance door, through which we had come, at the far end of the hall. It had all been cleverly thought out by the sergeant. I had not given him credit for such shrewdness. Whatever happened behind that closed door that gave entrance to my Lord Stenwold's retreat would have few auditors and all but one as far away as possible. I thanked him with word and look. "Now, your honour," said he, "it rests with you. I will keep this door as long as I can; I will give it up to no one, unless the Leftenant or the Ensign should make their rounds. I don't think that likely, but the guards will be relieved at ten and you have but a short time at your disposal." "I do not want much time," I replied. "No matter what you hear, keep fast by the door, unless I call you. I'll soon be back, successful, or I'll be dead, in which case remember you do not know me." "Very good, sir, and God help us all." "Amen," said I.