“’Cause we’ve got something more serious on the way, sir.”
“Halt! stand, or I fire!” came from the top of the north-west tower, and Roy was about to call out—
“Don’t, you idiot; we gave you the word just now,” when a voice from beyond the moat uttered a low “Whist!”
“Stand, or I fire!”
“If you do, Dick Davis, I’ll punch your head, as sure as you stand there,” came from across the moat. “Can’t you see we’re friends?”
“Give the word.”
“Stop! Who’s there?” cried Roy.
“That you, sir? Please speak to Dick Davis, or he’ll be shooting somebody with that gun of hisn.”
“Is that Brian Wiggins?”
“Yes, sir, and the rest on us, sir. But pst! The enemy’s close behind.”