"Nonsense, my dear boy!" continued Master Pawson; "this is all foolish vanity, and I am sure that, when you have thought it over coolly, you will see that it is childish for you, a boy, to imagine that you can do any good by making this silly display. Why, you must have been reading some old book of chivalry and warlike adventure. If you only knew how ridiculous you look with that long sword buckled on, you would soon take it off. You look almost as absurd as Rogers here; I thought some scarecrow had been stuck up by the gate." "Yes, sir; that's right," growled Ben. "Scarecrows who were going to scare off all the crows as try to peck at his majesty the king." "Silence, Martlet!" cried Roy, sharply. "It is not your place to speak to Master Pawson like that." "I should think not," said the secretary, with his face flushing slightly. "Beg pardon, sir, a slip: not mutiny," said Ben. "No, but insolence on the part of a menial," cried Master Pawson; "and if it is repeated, I shall ask Lady Royland to dismiss you, sir, at once." "And my mother would refuse to dismiss so old and faithful a servant," said Roy, warmly. The secretary looked at the boy wonderingly again, and his eyes darkened; but he smiled the next moment. "Come, come, Roy!" he said. "Pray leave off this nonsense, and have the gate left open. Send the men back to their work. You will thank me for giving you this advice to-morrow." "No, Master Pawson, I shall not," said Roy, firmly. "The gate will be kept locked; no one will be allowed to pass without the word, and to-night the drawbridge will be raised; by to-morrow, I dare say, we shall be able to lower the portcullis." "Are you mad, my boy?" "I hope not, sir." "Do you mean to tell me that you will not listen to my advice?" "Yes, sir; I cannot." "Then, my good lad, I must be severe. I have tried gentle means. As your tutor, in whose charge you have been left by your father, I command you to give up all this silly mummery. You have something better to do than to waste time over such childish tricks. Go to your room, and stay there for a while before you come to mine with an apology. Quick! At once!" He stood, looking very important, as he gave a quick stamp and pointed towards the castle. "You, Jenkin, go and put that sword away! Rogers and Martlet, go back to your work at once!" "Stop!" said Roy, firmly, as the men looked at him for help. "Keep as you are. Master Pawson is my tutor, but he has no right to give you any orders.--I must ask you, sir, to go to your room, and not to interfere with what is going on around." "Hah!" ejaculated Ben, expelling a tremendous pent-up breath, and he turned and winked at Rogers and Jenk, though the poor old gate-keeper could not see. "The boy is mad," cried Master Pawson, flushing angrily now. "This is beyond bearing. An act of rebellion. Once more, sir, will you obey me?" "Obey you, Master Pawson? In my studies, yes. Over the business of the castle, no!"