In Honour's Cause Part 54

"Frank Gowan," he said, "you give me your _parole d'honneur_ that you will not do anything foolish in the way of attempting to escape?"

"Oh yes, of course, sir," said the boy. "I don't want to escape."

"That's right. And you, Andrew Forbes?"

"No; I shall make no promises," was the reply.

"Don't be foolish, my lad. You ought to have cooled down by this time.

Give me your word: it will make your position bearable, and mine easy."

"I shall give no promises," said Andrew haughtily. "I have been arrested, and brought here a prisoner, and I shall act as a prisoner would."

"Try to escape? Don't attempt to do anything so foolish, my lad. I will speak out like a friend to you. There has been some important news brought to the Palace; the guard has been quadrupled in number, double sentries have been placed, and they would fire at any one attempting to pa.s.s the gates without the word to-night. Now, give me your promise."

"I--will--not," said Andrew, speaking firmly, and meeting the captain's eyes without shrinking.

"Don't be so foolish, Drew," whispered Frank.

"I shall do as I think best," was the reply. "You are at liberty to do the same, sir."

"Very well," said Captain Murray, interrupting them. "Perhaps you will be more sensible and manly after a night's rest. I did not expect to find a lad of your years behaving like a spiteful girl."

Andrew's eyes flashed at him; but the captain paid no heed, and went on:

"I have spoken to the colonel, Frank, and for your father's sake he will be glad to see you at the mess table this evening. You are free of it while you are under arrest. I will come for you in half an hour. By the way, I have told my man to come to you for instructions about getting your kit from your room. You will use him while you are a prisoner."

"Oh, thank you, Captain Murray," cried the boy eagerly.

"Pray make use of my servant, Mr Forbes, and order him to fetch what you require."

Andrew bowed coldly, and the captain left the room, his servant tapping at the door directly after, and entering to receive his orders from Frank.

"Now, Drew," he said at last, "tell him what to fetch for you."

"I do not require anything," said the youth coldly. "Yes, look here.

There is a little desk on the table in my room; bring me that."

"Hadn't you better give in, and make the best of things?" said Frank, as soon as they were alone.

"Had you not better leave me to myself, Frank Gowan?" said Andrew coldly. "We are no longer friends, but enemies."

"No, we can't be that," cried Frank. "Come; once more, shake hands."

Andrew looked at him for a few moments fixedly, and then said slowly:

"Come, that's better."

"On the day when your King George is humbled to the dust, and you are, with all here, a helpless prisoner. I'll shake hands and forgive you then."

"Not till then?" cried Frank, flus.h.i.+ng.

"Not till then."

"Which means that we are never to be friends again, Drew. Nonsense!

You are still angry. Captain Murray is right."

"That I speak like a spiteful girl!" cried the lad sharply.

"No, I did not mean that," said Frank quietly; "but if I had meant it, I should not have been very far from right. I hope that you will think differently after a night's rest. Come, think differently now, and give up all those mad thoughts which have done nothing but make us fall out.

It isn't too late. Captain Murray is trying to make things pleasant for us; tell him when he comes that you'll dine with him."

Andrew made an angry gesture, and Frank shrugged his shoulders, went into the adjoining room to wash his hands, and came back just as the tramp of soldiers was heard outside, the order was given for them to halt, and then followed their heavy footsteps on the stairs.

The next minute Captain Murray entered the room.

"Ready, bloodthirsty prisoner?" he said, smiling.

"Yes, sir, quite," replied Frank; while Andrew sat at the other end of the room with his back to them.

Frank glanced in his fellow-prisoner's direction, and then turned back to the captain, and his lips moved quickly as he made a gesture in Andrew's direction.

The captain read his meaning, nodded, walked up to the lad, and touched him on the shoulder, making him start to his feet.

"Life's very short, Andrew Forbes," he said quietly, "and soldiers are obliged to look upon it as shorter for them than for other men. It isn't long enough to nurse quarrels or bear malice. I think I have heard you say that you hope to be a soldier some day."

"Yes, I do," said the lad, with a meaning which the captain could not grasp.

"Very well, then; act now like a frank soldier to another who says to you, try and forget this trouble, and help every one to make it easier for you. There's care enough coming, my lad; and I may tell you that the Prince has enough to think about without troubling himself any more over the mad prank of two high-spirited boys. There, I'll wait for you; go into my room, and wash your hands and smooth your face. I venture to say that you will both get a wigging to-morrow, and then be told to go back to your duties."

Andrew did not budge, and the captain's face grew more stern.

"Come on, Drew," cried Frank; but the lad turned away.

"Yes, come along," cried the captain; "a good dinner will do you both good, and make you ready to laugh at your morning's quarrel. Do you hear?"

There was no reply.

"You are not acting like a hero, my lad," said the captain, smiling once more.

Still there was no reply.

"Very well, sir; you refuse your parole, and I can say no more. I have my duty to do, and I cannot offer you my hospitality here. You are still under arrest."

He walked to the door, threw it open, made a sign, and a corporal and two Guardsmen marched in.

"Take this gentleman to the guardroom," he said. "Your officer has his instructions concerning him."

"Oh, Drew!" whispered Frank; but the lad drew himself up, and took a few steps forward, placing himself between the Guards, and kept step with them as they marched out and down the stairs.