whether the King permits an old soldier who has followed the
fortunes of his family these eighteen years to be flouted by a
malapert bantam of yesterday's brood!"

The subaltern paused in dismay. Some demur there was in the
gathered crowd. Then the officer fell back a pace, and
consulted an elderly trooper at his elbow. The trooper was of
opinion that the fugitive must have gone farther. Moreover, he
could not think, from what Sir Crispin had said, that it would
have been possible for Hogan to have entered the house. With
this, and realizing that much trouble and possible loss of time
must result from Sir Crispin's obstinacy, did they attempt to
force a way into the house, and bethinking himself, also,
maybe, how well this rascally ruffler stood with Lord
Middleton, the ensign determined to withdraw, and to seek
elsewhere.

And so he took his leave with a venomous glance, and a parting
threat to bring the matter to the King's ears, upon which
Galliard slammed the door before he had finished.

There was a curious smile on Crispin's face as he walked slowly
to the table, and resumed his seat.

"Master Stewart," he whispered, as he spread his cards anew,
"the comedy is not yet played out. There is a face glued to
the window at this moment, and I make little doubt that for the
next hour or so we shall be spied upon. That pretty fellow was
born to be a thief-taker."