Say, I
beg, that I am grieved to have to disturb him, but His Majesty's servants
must ever be at the disposal of His Majesty's affairs."
I grinned behind the spy's back at this masterly way of getting George's
servant to do James's work. Master Freake started at once, and, stepping
with him to the door, I whispered, "Give us fifteen minutes."
"Right!" he whispered back again. "Look in your holsters!"
As soon as he had gone, the Colonel ordered me to guard the door, and
this gave me the chance of putting on my boots again. The Colonel, cutting
off with his sword a good length of bell rope, made a swift and most
workmanlike job of tying the spy into a knot. He then opened the window,
and, Margaret taking my place meanwhile, he and I cautiously bundled Weir
on to the balcony, shut down the window, and left him safe and silent.
"Be in the porch in ten minutes, Margaret, ready to start. Oliver, get
the horses there ready in that time. You ride the troop-horse, and Freake
has provided a mare for Margaret. Quick's the work and sharp's the motion!"
Margaret and I started together to carry out our orders.
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