In Honour's Cause Part 32

The lad was on the point of declining coldly; but the officer's extended hand and genial smile disarmed him, and there was something so attractive in his manner that, unable to resist, he allowed Captain Murray to pa.s.s an arm through his and march both lads to his quarters.

"Hah! this is better," he said, as he placed chairs for his visitors.

"Poor old Gowan! I wish he were with us. Why, Frank, my lad, what a series of adventures in a short time! Only the other night, and we were all sitting comfortably at dinner. How soon a storm springs up. Heard the last about our German friend?"

"Enemy," muttered Andrew.

"Well, enemy if you like. I saw the doctor just before I caught sight of you, and he told me--"

"Not dead?" said Frank wildly.

"No. He has made a sudden change for the better. The doctor says he has the const.i.tution of an ox, and that has pulled him through."

"Ugh!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Andrew; and Frank spoke hastily to cover his companion's rudeness.

"How long do you think my father will have to be away?"

"Till his. Majesty dies, or, if he is fortunate, till your mother and the Princess have won over his Royal Highness to do battle with his father on your father's behalf."

"But do you think he is likely to succeed?"

"I hope so, my lad. The King may give way. It will not be from friendly feeling, or a desire to do a kind action--what do you call it?--an act of clemency."

"He'll never pardon Sir Robert!" cried Andrew, bringing his fist down upon the table heavily.

"I think he will," said Captain Murray; "for his Majesty is a keen man of the world, a good soldier, and a good judge of soldiers. I think that out of policy, and the knowledge that he is very unpopular, he may think it wise to pardon a gallant officer, and to bring him back into the ranks of the men whom he can trust."

"Yes, yes," cried Frank excitedly; and his eyes brightened as he treasured up words, every one of which would, he felt sure, gladden his mother's heart.

"Hadn't you better get up and see if any one is listening at the door, Captain Murray?" said Andrew sarcastically.

"Because my words sound treasonable, my lad?"

"Yes, and may be magnified by the echoes of the Palace walls, sir."

The big, frank officer sank back in his chair, and laughed merrily.

"You're a queer fellow, Forbes--a clever fellow--with a splendid memory; but--there, don't feel insulted--you must have been meant for a woman: you have such a sharp, spiteful tongue. No, no, no--sit still. You must take as well as give. Do you two ever fall out, Frank? He's as hot as pepper."

"Yes, often," said Frank, smiling; "but we soon make it up again, for he's about the bravest and best fellow I ever knew."

As Frank spoke, he reached over and gripped his friend's arm warmly.

"You don't know how good and kind and helpful he has been in all this trouble."

"I believe it," said Captain Murray, smiling. "He's a lucky fellow too, for he has won a good friend. You hear, Hotspur? A good friend in Frank here, who is the very spit of his father, one of the bravest, truest soldiers that ever lived."

These words were said in a way which made Frank feel a little choky, and turned the tide of Andrew Forbes's anger, which now ebbed rapidly away.

"You'll come to me, my lads, both of you, if you want help?" said the captain, at their parting an hour later.

"Yes, of course," cried Frank eagerly; but Andrew Forbes was silent.

"And you, Andrew lad. Gowan asked me to be a friend to you too; for he said that Lady Gowan liked you, and that it was a hard position for a lad like you to be placed in, and he is right."

"Did Sir Robert say that, sir?" said the lad huskily.

"Yes, when we said good-bye."

"Yes, I will come to you, sir--when I can."

The last words were to himself, and he was silent for some time as they walked back to their quarters.

"I wish I hadn't such a sharp temper, Frank," he said at last. "But it is a queer position, and the harness galls me. I can't help it. I ought to go away."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE DOCTOR MAKES A SUGGESTION AND FRANK IS STARTLED.

"Your mother must be a favourite with the Princess, and no mistake,"

said Andrew one morning, "or after that business of your father's you would never be allowed to stay."

"If you come to that," said Frank in retort, "if one half of what I know about were to get abroad, where would you be?"

"Perhaps in two pieces, with the top bit carefully preserved, as a warning to treasonable people--so called."

"I don't think that," said Frank gravely; "for they would not go to such lengths with a mere boy."

"Who are you calling a mere boy?"

"You," replied Frank coolly. "You are quite as young as I am in some things, though you are so much older in others."

"Perhaps so," said Andrew rather haughtily. "Anyhow, I don't feel in the least afraid of my principles being known. You can't tell tales, being one of us."

"I--am--not--and--never--will--be!" said Frank, dividing his words as if there were a comma between each pair, and speaking with tremendous emphasis.

"Oh, all right," said Andrew, with a merry laugh. "I should like to hear you say that to Mr George Selby."

"I'd say it plainly to him and the whole of the members of his club,"

said Frank hotly.

"Not you. Wouldn't dare. Come with me on Friday and say it."

"I? No. Let them come to me if they want it said."

"They don't. They've got you, and they'll keep you."

"Time will prove that, Drew. I'm very glad, though, that you have given up going."