“I do, and I don’t want you to risk it, for one thing. For the other, I don’t want to be arrested, and to have my head chopped off, for you couldn’t speak without getting me into trouble.”
Frank stared at him with his purpose beginning to waver.
“I might get off easily, being what they would call a mere boy. But I don’t know; perhaps they would think that, as I was in a particular position in the Palace, they ought to make an example of me.”
He laughed lightly as he threw himself into a seat by the window.
“I’ve no one to care about me except the dad, and a little more trouble wouldn’t hurt him very much. Perhaps he’d be proud because I died for the King. I say, would you like to know why I am such a steady follower of him across the water?”
Frank didn’t speak, but his eyes said yes.
“Because I found how my poor father was wrong-treated. He’s free, but he’s little better than a prisoner. He’s looked upon as a traitor, and I’m kept here principally as a sort of hostage to make him keep quiet. That’s it, and they’ll shorten me for certain if they find anything out. Poor old dad, though; I dare say he’ll be sorry, for he likes me in his way.”
The trampling of horses was heard in the distance, and Andrew turned sharply.
“Here they come again. How bright and gay they look this morning! Ah! I should have liked to live and be an officer in a regiment like that, ready to fight for my king; but I suppose I am not to be tall enough,” he added, with a mocking laugh. “Wonder whether they’ll stick my head on Temple Bar. Now, Frank, here’s your chance; come and shout to the nearest officer—‘Stop and arrest a traitor!’ Well, why don’t you? He will hear you if you holloa well.”
Frank made no reply.