bullet-hole in his hat.

Meanwhile Philip and the stranger spurred to the sea by a devious course.
They rode silently, the stranger's hand alert to seize his pistol.
Suddenly, when only a mile or two from the harbour, a light or two being
visible on the ships riding at anchor, he reined in with a jerk before a
shepherd's hut which stood at the edge of a sheepfold on the naked down, a
yard from the road.

"Just the thing!" he cried; "we have still an hour."

Bidding Philip stay there and keep watch, he leaped from his horse and
opened the door of the hut.

"Who's there?" growled the voice of the shepherd.

"A friend, if you hold your peace," said the young man; "otherwise a foe,
and a strong one, I can promise you." He clicked a pistol as he spoke, and
the shepherd stood up and pulled his forelock.

"I want no words," said the stranger, "and no delay. Do as I tell you, in
the King's name."

"Ay, marry!" cried the shepherd; "in the King's name I'll do anything."

"Good fellow," said the stranger, "well said. Take off that smock and those
legcasings."

The man took them off. The stranger divested himself of Rupert's clothes at
the same time, and hastily donned those of the shepherd. "Tie mine in a