"It's disgraceful; and Lady Royland shall put a stop to such monkey tricks." "Powder-monkey tricks," growled Ben. "Why, you don't think I fired that gun on purpose, sir?" "No, I don't think so," cried Master Pawson, in his high-pitched, scolding tone; "I am quite sure, sir; and it is disgraceful." "But I wasn't here!" "You were there. I saw you with the men, pretending to clean the gun, while I was yonder watching the sunset and waiting for an answer to a message I had sent in to your mother, sir, when, as you saw me come round the corner, you fired." "I did not, sir; for I was not there." "Ay, that's true enough, sir," said Ben, bitterly; "he warn't here." "I don't believe it," cried Master Pawson, angrily, and his voice sounded like that of some angry woman. "It was a trick; and all this nonsense shall be put a stop to." "You can believe it or not, sir," said Roy, growing calmer as the secretary waxed more angry. "I shall speak to Lady Royland at once." "Do, sir. She is waiting to see you; she was telling me so when the gun went off." "Gun went off! And what business has a gun to go off here in this place?" cried the secretary, as he stood, now feeling himself all over and brushing the dust from off his velvet coat. "Only got the wind of the gun, sir," said the corporal, quietly. "I was not speaking to you, my good man," cried the secretary. "Bad plan to stand nigh the muzzle of a big gun when she's going to be fired," growled Ben, in a sententious voice, and the secretary turned upon him sharply. "And you, sir," he cried; "how dare you let a boy play such antics? Do you know I heard the shot go by my face." "Nay, sir; that I'll say you didn't," growled Ben. "But I say I did, sir, with a fierce rush." "One of the tomtits' eggs, perhaps, sergeant," said Roy, dryly. "I know I caught sight of one or two when the nest was rammed in." The men all burst out laughing, and Master Pawson grew preternaturally calm. "Was that meant as an insult, Master Roy?" he said, turning towards him and speaking slowly, with his eyes half shut and an unpleasant, sneering smile upon his lips. "No, sir; as a joke," replied Roy, gravely. "I thank you; but keep your jokes for the servants; try them upon the menials. Recollect that I am a gentleman, placed in authority over you by Sir Granby Royland as tutor and master, and, as I am in authority over you, I am in authority over all here. Have the goodness to recollect that." He turned upon his heel and walked away, with the back of his doublet covered with scraps of hay from the tomtits' nest, and Roy's first inclination was to run after him to begin brushing him down. "But he'll only think I want to insult him again," said the boy to himself. "I wish I hadn't said anything about the tomtits' eggs, though." "Shall I run after him, sir, and ask if I shall give him a brush down?" whispered Ben. "No; let him find it out. One of the maids will tell him, I dare say."