Thunder rolled beyond the walls in a glowering storm, as spiders crawled freely through the window. Twenty-Six Michael woke suddenly, to the sound of the front door being thrown open, and a low scuffling noise in the passage which he could not dissect. The door was closed again and voices were heard, along with the muffled curses of a man bound. And for all the fugitive plans he had tried to form, Michael knew his one defense now was utter silence. "The old man's lost his mind," said the first voice, breathing hard but speaking in hushed tones. "How long's he think he can keep things dark, now it's come to this? We can't keep him stowed here like a barrel in the hold forever." "And you're a damned fool, Stubb," came the second, harsh and uncowed. "All we've got to do is keep him out of sight till Arthur turns tail and runs. And he will, or I know naught. The old man can't be took on his own ground. And but for his majesty here, and them bitches in the Tower, there ain't none as lived long enough to speak against him. Master `enry does things proper, and no mistake." "You may be right for now, Ballard, but how long do you think he can keep it up? He's squeezed blood from these stones long enough. There's Hell to pay, I'm sure of it." "Tell it to the parson, Stubb, he'll put it in his Sunday speech." "You don't understand." "You're the one who don't understand. You think I'm married to the old man, but I ain't. If he comes out on top, I'll stand by him right enough. But if he don't, he'll learn that Toby Ballard is no man's slave. Me, I sticks with the meanest dog, and when he's killed I go my own way..... Oh, his Lordship didn't like that. Here, loosen his gag. No one to hear him now but the walls." "---kill you myself!" cried the bound man. "So help me, Ballard, you won't live to see the new year!" "Ah, now, your majesty," said the other, unconcerned. "Maybe I will, and maybe I won't. For the time, though, I think you'd best concern yourself with yourself. It might trouble your father for a time if some `accident' were to befall you while in my care. But he'd get over it." "You wouldn't dare." There was a sinister pause, in which the only sound was that of a saber being drawn, metal against smooth metal. Then with an icy menace such as Michael had heard only once before, in the stockade, the man put it to his throat and said bluntly. "Try me." Again there was silence. The gag was refitted. "He's all yours, Stubb. Don't leave him alone, even for a short time. I'll send someone to relieve you in a day or two." He turned again to face the young Captain. "Good night, or should I say, good morrow, your majesty ." Ballard's heavy tread reached the door, opened, closed, and went beyond it, as he mounted and rode back to the Castle. Michael tried to think what he must do. There were too many questions here for which he had no answer. Only one thing was clear to him: the man Stubb was the immediate danger.