"You have acted foolishly--very foolishly!--by walking, almost with your eyes open, into the trap set for you by those scoundrels the tutor and his confederate," the major went on; "and thereby have committed a serious offence against the law. As for the tutor and parish-constable," he added, "their conduct was most disgraceful, and they richly deserve punishment, in addition to the rough handling they got from you." "But, sir, I fear the constable was _killed_ in the scuffle," I put in, thinking he might not have understood me. "His assistant, William Herd, said----" "Never mind what William Herd said; it is more than probable he was mistaken," interrupted Major Warrington. "You do not _know_ the fellow was killed, and in discussing this affair it is better that we should stick to facts, and facts only. We _do_ know that you have committed a serious legal offence by breaking into the Charfield lock-up and assisting a prisoner to escape, and what we have to consider is how you are to be saved from the consequences of your foolish action." "What do you advise, sir?" I asked anxiously, after a brief silence. "No doubt I _ought_ to advise you to return home and surrender yourselves, but such a step would place your father in a very painful position--as a magistrate he must of necessity commit you to prison; the more so, because you are his son. Once you are arrested, the law must take its course, and I am afraid it would go hard with you both." "I am afraid it would," I sighed. "On the other hand," pursued the major, "I believe that if you can avoid arrest for a time, and proper influence is brought to bear, the matter may be hushed up. Therefore I advise you to keep out of the way for a time, and if possible leave the country." "That was our intention, sir," I rejoined. "We are going up to London to enlist." "You need not go to London, my boy," said Major Warrington. "I am both able and willing to assist you, and my proposal is that you and Symes should accompany me to the Peninsula. Now what say you to that?" "Can such an arrangement be made?" I exclaimed half incredulously. "Certainly it can," was the reply, "otherwise I should not have made the offer. I am in command of the drafts going out in the _Morning Star_, and nobody will raise any objection if I choose to take a couple of likely recruits with me. The question is--are you willing to come?" "Indeed I am, Major Warrington!" I answered joyfully. "Thank you most heartily for the offer; you are truly 'a friend in need'!" "And the lad Symes--will he care to go on active service?" "Yes, sir. I can answer for that."