In Honour's Cause Part 29

THE KING'S DECREE.

"Any fresh news?"

"No. Have you any?"

"Not much; but I've seen the doctor again this morning."

"You told me yesterday that he said you were not to dare to come to him any more."

"Yesterday! Why, that was four days ago."

"Nonsense! That would have been before the duel."

"I say, Frank, are you going out of your mind?"

"I don't know," said the boy wearily. "My head's muddled with want of sleep."

"Muddled? I should think it is. Why, it's a week to-day since that glorious fight in the Park."

"Glorious?"

"Yes. I wish our officers would challenge all the German officers, fight them, and wound them, and send them out of the country."

"Don't talk nonsense. Talk about the doctor. He did tell you not to come any more."

"Yes; he said he wouldn't be bothered by a pack of boys."

"Yes; he said the same to me every time I went."

"Every time! Have you been there much?"

"About four times a day."

"No wonder he was snappish to me, then."

"I suppose it has been tiresome, and he has called me all sorts of names, and said I worried his life out; but he always ended by smiling and shaking hands."

"You haven't been this morning of course?"

"Yes, I have."

"Well?"

"He says father's arm is going on well; but the baron is very bad."

"Serve him right."

"But I want him to get well."

"Oh, he'll get well some day. He's such a big, thick fellow, that it's a long wound from front to back, and takes time. Be a lesson to him. I say, how's Lady Gowan?"

"Very miserable and low-spirited."

"Humph!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Andrew; and he glanced in a curious, furtive way at his companion. "I say, I thought the Princess was to speak to the King, and get your father pardoned."

"She did speak to him, and the Prince has too."

"Well?"

"We don't know any more yet. I suppose my father is kept under arrest so as to punish him."

"Yes," said Andrew, with a strange hesitation, which took Frank's attention.

"Why did you say '_yes_' like that?" he cried, with his dull, listless manner pa.s.sing off, and a keen, eager look in his eyes.

"Did I say '_yes_' like that?"

"You know you did. What is it you are keeping back, Drew?"

"I say, don't talk like that," said Andrew petulantly. "I never saw such a fellow as you are. Here, only the other day you looked up to me in everything, and I tried to teach you how to behave like a young man of the world in courtly society."

"Yes, you did, and I am greatly obliged; but--"

"Seems like it," said Andrew sharply. "Then all at once you set up your hackles, and show fight like a young c.o.c.kerel, and begin bouncing over me--I mean trying to; and it won't do, young Gowan. I'm your senior."

"Yes, yes, I know," cried Frank angrily; "but this is all talk, just for the sake of saying something to put me off. Now speak out; what is it you're keeping back?"

"There you go again, bully Gowan! Here, I say, you know I'm not going to stand this. You keep your place."

"Don't, don't, Drew, when I'm in such trouble!" cried Frank appealingly.

"Ah! that's better. Now you've dropped into your place again, boy."

"You have something fresh--some great trouble--and you are hiding it from me."

"Well, how can I help it?" said Andrew. "You're bad enough as it is, and I don't want to make matters worse."

"But that's what you are doing. Why don't you speak?"

"Because you'll go and tell dear Lady Gowan, and it will half kill her."

"What!" cried Frank, springing at his companion, and catching him by the shoulder.

"And I look upon her as if she was my mother as well as yours, and I'd cut off my hand sooner than hurt her feelings more."

"I knew there was something fresh," cried Frank excitedly; "and, whatever it is, I must tell her, Drew. I promised her that I'd be quite open, and keep nothing from her."

"There, I knew I was right. How can I help keeping it back? And don't, Frank lad. I say, how strong you are. You're ragging my collar about.