"In this case I am not going to exercise my prerogative. It is no use arguing, Saxham. On this point my mind is made up. I will only add that I greatly admire your son's attitude. If he sticks to this business, he will have a great career before him." "Unless he is murdered to-morrow," commented Saxham bitterly, as he walked out of the room. The poor old Earl went back to Ticehurst Park in a very agitated frame of mind. Lady Mary was his favourite child, but Guy was his best beloved son. Ticehurst would inherit the lands and the title, but for Ticehurst he had only a very mild liking. Mary met him in the hall. She was only a little less perturbed than her father. "What news?" she cried eagerly. "Have you induced Greatorex to recall him?" Lord Saxham had to confess to failure. He went with her into the morning-room, and related at full length the details of his interview with Greatorex. That powerful personage was ready to fall in with his views--but the stumbling-block was Guy himself. If Guy stuck to his resolution not to seek safety in flight, Greatorex would not move. Mary's sweet eyes filled with tears. She had already abused Greatorex, but she was too just not to understand his attitude. At the bottom of his heart, Greatorex approved of Guy's resolution to stick to his post, whatever the consequences. "I am sorry I said harsh things of Greatorex," she said in a broken voice. "Of course Guy himself could take no other course, and his chief admires his indomitable spirit. But, all the same, we must move heaven and earth to get him away." The Earl sank wearily into a chair. Presently he began to cry and moan. "Oh, my poor boy. To think I have exposed him to this danger by my ill-advised action." Poor Lady Mary was on the verge of hysteria herself, but the senile grief of the old Earl made her strong and self-reliant. Her brain was working quickly. Could she not turn this moment to advantage? "You are sorry for what you have done, father? You recognise that, but for your unfortunate intervention, Guy would never have gone to Spain." "I know, I know," replied poor old Lord Saxham in quavering accents. "I would cut off my right hand if, by doing so, I could undo that morning's work with Greatorex. I was very proud of it at the time." Mary spoke very slowly, very calmly. "Guy has got in him the Rossett obstinacy, and, after all, he is only acting as a brave man should. We are less brave for him than he is for himself." The Earl stretched out his shaking hands. "Mary, will you write and implore him to let Greatorex recall him. Greatorex has given me his promise to do so, if Guy consents." Mary shook her head. "Guy is very fond of me, I know. In many things I could influence him, but not in this. It is no use your writing to him, you have less influence over him than I. If he would not listen to me, he will not listen to you."