“But what have I done? What crime have I committed?” “That General Forster will judge. I have his orders to arrest you.” “Your orders, if I mistake not, are to arrest Colonel Charteris.” “Exactly. But in arresting you I don't think I shall be far wrong.” “I can assure you, sir----” “Nay, 'tis vain to deny it. From the first I suspected you were Colonel Charteris, and my suspicions have since become confirmed. 'Twill be best to accompany me quietly. Resistance will be useless?” “Very well,” rejoined the other. “Since you have seen through my disguise, I won't attempt to maintain it longer. I _am_ Colonel Charteris. Allow me to put up a few things, and I will go with you. Don't be alarmed. I give you my word of honour I will return.” “Your word of honour!” exclaimed Colonel Oxburgh, contemptuously. “I place little reliance upon it. A guard must accompany you while you make your preparations.” “You wrong me by this distrust, colonel,” said Charteris, as he quitted the room, closely followed by a couple of troopers. Ascending the great staircase, he proceeded deliberately along a corridor, until he came to a particular bed-chamber, where he stopped, saying to the guard, as he went in, “I won't detain you long.” The troopers remained at the door. But as he did not come forth within a reasonable time, they entered the room, and to their astonishment and dismay found it empty. They searched about--in the closets, behind the curtains, under the bed, and in every place, likely and unlikely, but failed to find him--nor could they comprehend how he had got off, since there appeared to be no other exit but the door. On going downstairs, they found Colonel Oxburgh impatiently awaiting them in the hall. The entrance door was standing wide open, and showed the troop drawn up outside, and ready for instant departure. The colonel was greatly exasperated when he learnt what had happened. “I ought to have known better,” he mentally ejaculated, “than to trust a man without a spark of honour. However, if he falls into my hands again, he shall not escape so easily.” Though despairing of success, Colonel Oxburgh would not leave without making an effort to re-capture the fugitive. On careful examination of the bed-chamber in question, he discovered a secret door, connected with a passage leading to the ruins of the old castle, where no doubt the fugitive had found a safe hiding-place. As it was evident further search would be useless, Colonel Oxburgh departed with his men. Little did he think as he rode down the hill, that Colonel Charteris was watching him from the summit of the keep, and laughing at the clever manner in which he had outwitted his visitor. IV.--SIR HENRY HOGHTON AND THE QUAKER.