to.'

I told him, as we rode back and into Farnham, that Sir William, as a
rule, made quick despatch of business.

'He made pretty quick despatch of it at Lansdowne,' said my Cavalier,
and started trolling a catch,--

'Great William the Con,
So fast he did run,
That he left half his name behind him!'

Perceiving him to be an ill-bred fellow, and that to answer his
jeering would be time wasted, I turned the talk upon his message.

'The Lord Crawford sends for an exchange of prisoners?' I hazarded.

'The Lord Crawford does not waste a man of my talents in swapping of
prisoners,' was the response. 'And when Orlando Rich takes the road
and risks his health on such a night as this, you may be sure 'tis on
business of moment.'

I questioned him no further. We rode through the park (the sentries
taking my password), and came to the guardroom of the Castle, where,
as we dismounted, the general's quartermaster lounged out and called
for a couple of men to take our horses. Then, learning that my
companion brought a message from Lord Crawford, he made no delay but
led us straight to the general's room.

Though the clock in the corner had gone midnight, the general sat in