"It is for the King," he said, beneath his breath.
At this moment the trampling of hoofs on the crisp earth outside attracted his attention.
The woman came to the door.
The lad was holding a small horse at the stone step.
"You have done me a great service, and I pray you will accept—" began the supposed fugitive.
Mrs. Ralston interrupted him.
"Think you, sir, that I would take one penny? 'Twould burn my fingers. It is for our country."
"Thank you, good friend, then," he said, and the tears came to his eyes despite himself.
The lad gave him a leg-up into the saddle. "I wish I were old enough to fight, sir," he said. "Good-by. Take the first road to the left and you are on the highway."
William mumbled a confused sentence of thanks and rode away.