Of a sudden he heard the sentinel at the door advance a step and announce to the corporal: “Captain Oldesworth has just come into the guardroom, sir.” A queer tingling went through Hugh’s veins, and upon it followed a sickening faintness. Bringing both feet down to the ground, he faced about with his clinched hand on the table and his eyes fastened upon the door. He knew now why he had not been able to think, those last moments, why every humiliation had been scarcely heeded, in the expectation of this that was before him. He saw the corporal draw up stiff in salute, the sentinel stand back from the door, and then, clean-shaven, set-mouthed as ever, he saw Tom Oldesworth stride in. It had been in Hugh’s mind to stand up to meet his uncle, but at the last he dared not trust his knees to such a test. For the moment the old boyish fear of the elder man, whose raillery had cut him, whose blows had made him flinch, came back on him, and he could only stare at him dumbly. “’Tis not the place I had looked to find you, nephew,” Oldesworth greeted him, in a tone that though brusque was kindly enough. Only in the hurriedness of his bearing and the eagerness in his eyes Hugh read no friendly presage, so he let his gaze fall to the table and studied the grain of the wood, while he listened to the beating of his heart that vibrated through all his body. Oldesworth spoke a word aside to the corporal, and as the troopers drew to the farther end of the room came and set himself down opposite Hugh. “Now attend me, sir,” he began rapidly. “By your trappings you seem to have learned something of war; then you know how the case stands with you now we have you fast. So I trust you will not suffer any childish stubbornness to vex me or harm you.” Hugh watched the man’s hard face with fascinated eyes and lips half-opened, but found no tongue to reply. “You were riding to Kingsford,” Oldesworth continued, gazing at him fixedly. “You came from Tamworth, whither a messenger was posted yesterday. You brought an answering message. What was it?” Hugh flung back his head. “If there be a message, think you I’d be such a fool as to tell it?” he cried, in a voice that was so firm it made him glad. After all, he had no need to fear, for this was only a man like the rest, and he was now a man, too. “You brought a message from Sir William Pleydall,” Oldesworth repeated, unmoved. “He is going to send aid to this man, is he not? Why, I can read that in your face, Hugh. Aid is coming, then. Is it to-day? To-morrow? Answer me.” Hugh met his uncle’s gaze fairly, with his head held a little upward and his lips tight-set now. There was nothing for him to say, but he knew they fought the battle out betwixt them while their glances met. “So you’re stubborn, are you?” Oldesworth said, rising to his feet. “You young fool! Do you think you can set your will against mine?” “I think I will not tell what you ask,” Hugh replied without a tremor.