He has said nothing to me about going out." Harry Jervoise was just the same age as Charlie, and was his greatest friend.

They were both enthusiastic in the cause of the Stuarts, equally vehement in their expressions of contempt for the Dutch king, equally anxious for the coming of him whom they regarded as their lawful monarch.

They spent the morning together, as usual; went first to the stables and patted and talked to their horses; then they played at bowls on the lawn; after which, they had a bout of sword play; and, having thus let off some of their animal spirits, sat down and talked of the glorious times to come, when the king was to have his own again.
Late in the afternoon, Charlie mounted his horse and rode for home.
When within half a mile of the house, a man stepped out into the road in front of him.
"Hullo, Banks, what is it?
No bad news, I hope ?" And he leapt from his horse, alarmed at the pallor of the old butler's face.
"Yes, Master Charles, I have some very bad news, and have been waiting for the last two hours here, so as to stop you going to the house." "Why shouldn't I go to the house ?" "Because there are a dozen soldiers, and three or four constables there." "And my father ?" "They have taken him away." "This is bad news, Banks; but I know that he thought that it might be so.

But it will not be very serious; it is only a question of a fine," he said.
The butler shook his head, sadly.
"It is worse than that, Master Charles.

It is worse than you think." "Well, tell me all about it, Banks," Charlie said, feeling much alarmed at the old man's manner.
"Well, sir, at three this afternoon, two magistrates, John Cockshaw and William Peters--" ("Both bitter Whigs," Charlie put in.) "-- Rode up to the door.