“Nonsense! He was safe enough before. Didn’t I say he does not turn out well?”
“Yes; but you rescued him last night: I heard it at the Palace this morning.”
“Stuff! He kept himself safe enough over the water without showing his face.”
“Then who was it you saved?”
“Who was it? Why, my dear old dad, of course. We nearly lost him, for a great tall Guardsman had got hold of him by the fetter ring round his waist, only I made him let go. I hope I haven’t killed him, Frank,” added the lad between his teeth; “but I had a sword in my hand—and I used it.”
“Oh, I am glad you have saved your father, Drew.”
“And I am sorry we did not save yours, Frank. Perhaps if you had been helping us you might have done as I did, and he too might have been where your King’s people couldn’t touch him.
“There, I did not mean to say that,” continued Drew, after a short pause. “It isn’t kind and straight to you. I won’t reproach you, Franky; for I can’t help feeling that you are, as father says, the soul of honour. He said I was to tell you how proud he felt that you were my best friend—we are friends still, Frank?”
“Of course.”
“But I have said some nasty things to you, old lad.”