Before I got into the straggling little street, I heard music in front of me--fifes and drums sounding noisily through the quiet of the summer's evening. It was a recruiting party--no unusual sight in those war days. As I overtook them I was told that I was a fine fellow, and asked if I would not join them and fight for the King. They were just going into the Castle--the public-house--when I passed, and as I turned my head to look at the light that was streaming from it, I heard my own name called suddenly. The next moment Cuthbert came out and joined me. 'Willie! thank Heaven you are come. Are you better?' he said, seizing my hand and wringing it. 'Yes. What's the matter, Cuthbert? what are you doing here?' He did not answer, but moved so as to stand in the circle of light from the open door. I looked at him again, and saw the gay ribands that the recruits wear, fluttering from his hat. 'Cuthbert!' 'Yes, you see I have enlisted. Why, Will, I did not think you would mind it so much;' for, thunderstruck I leant against the wall to gather breath. He put his hand on my shoulder. 'It's not worth troubling about.' 'You can be bought off,' I said, recovering myself. 'Not for the world. Why should I? I did it of my own free will, for I can't stay here, and I won't.' 'Why, what has come to you?' He was very pale, I saw, and his hands shook. He looked as if some great storm of trouble or anger had passed over him. After a minute's pause he said suddenly, 'Did you know that your father kept a store of money, gold guineas, and shillings, and a five-pound note, in an old teapot in the cupboard behind his bed?' 'What are you talking about? No.' 'No more did I,' said Cuthbert. 'Well, he lost it.' 'But what has that to do with you?' Cuthbert gave an odd short laugh. 'Only that he says I took it.' 'I don't understand.' 'Perhaps you think so too,' he said bitterly. 'No, Will, you know I did not mean that, but they've driven me half out of my senses with all this.' 'Cuthbert, my father never said you had taken his money.' 'Said it, or thought it, it pretty nearly comes to the same thing. I understood well enough what he was after, so I'm off. Never mind that now. We can't talk here, and I've got something to say to you. We don't go until to-morrow morning, so I can walk back with you.' 'You're coming home for to-night, at all events?' 'I can't go there,' said Cuthbert his lip trembling, 'not to your father's house. Clifford will take me in.' He turned and spoke to some one inside the house. There was a confused noise of singing and loud laughter, and the jingling of glasses from the bar. In a minute Cuthbert came out again, and said it was all right. He need not be there until sunrise the next day. 'Come on,' he said impatiently, and he began to walk up the street with long, quick strides. 'Now tell me,' I said.