With the greatest gallantry the old knight opened the carriage door, and assisted Ellen Harmer up the stone steps into his princely, hospitable mansion. “To the palace, Bob,” said Ned, jumping into the carriage again. “Where?” asked the old knight, in wonder. “Bent on some other mad freak to-night? Stop! stop! Ned; here, stop!” But before he could be heard Bob Bertram lashed up the horses, and drove rapidly towards the palace. [Illustration: A DEATH-BED CURSE.—(_See No. 24._)] On their way they overtook a procession of linkmen, who were slowly moving along towards the hospital. On a shutter they bore the bleeding body of an almost lifeless man. “Who is that?” asked Ned, as he passed them by. “A man that young Warbeck fought a duel with.” “He is not dead, you say?” “No, not quite.” “He must have had as many lives as a cat, then,” said Ned. “What does the surgeon say?” “That, perhaps, by a miracle he may recover.” “The devil!” said Garnet. “Why, you’ll have to fight him over again.” “Without the headsman or hangman cheats me,” said Ned, laughing; “but there’s no telling what may happen. Drive on, Bob; be lively, my lad.” Bob whipped his horses, and soon drove up to the palace yard. “Halt!” said the hoarse voice of the sentinel, as the carriage approached. Bob saw the sentinel lower his musket at him, and he pulled up his horses on the instant. In a moment an officer advanced to the carriage door, and, in rather a sharp, impertinent manner, demanded to know who and what they were, and the business they came upon at such an unreasonable hour. “Our names you are at liberty to know, sir,” said Ned, “but not our business. We are naval officers in his majesty’s service; our errand is of the greatest importance, and brooks no delay.” “I don’t know that,” said the officer. “The king has been disturbed in his slumbers twice to-night; therefore, you had better call at the levée in the morning, if you are officers and do not wish to anger him.” “Leave that to us, good sir. You may rely upon it,” said Ned, “if our business were not of the utmost consequence, we are by far too good subjects to annoy the king.” “But what sign have you that warrants me in waking the king?” “This,” said Ned, presenting the ring; “take that to his majesty. When he sees it he will not deny us admission to his presence, whatever the hour may be.” The officer took the royal ring and examined it. He forthwith went up to the king’s chamber, and, it must be acknowledged, that Charles, majesty as he was, was full of wrath at being disturbed in his slumbers. When, however, the officer in attendance presented to him the ring, he looked amazed. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. “The devil take the impudent rogue!” said he. “But, as I have given my word of honour, why, admit him at once.” In a moment afterwards Ned Warbeck and Garnet were striding up the broad staircase towards the king’s bed-chamber.