"But, sir - "

"No more, master courier," snarled the sergeant. Then,
beckoning a trooper to his side, he whispered an order in his
ear.

As the man withdrew they wheeled their horses, and at a sharp
word of command Kenneth rode on towards Waltham between the
sergeant and a trooper.




CHAPTER XX

THE CONVERTED HOGAN


Night black and impenetrable had set in ere Kenneth and his
escort clattered over the greasy stones of Waltham's High
Street, and drew up in front of the Crusader Inn.

The door stood wide and hospitable, and a warm shaft of light
fell from it and set a glitter upon the wet street. Avoiding
the common-room, the sergeant led Kenneth through the inn-yard,
and into the hostelry by a side entrance. He urged the youth
along a dimly-lighted passage. On a door at the end of this he
knocked, then, lifting the latch, he ushered Kenneth into a
roomy, oak-panelled chamber.