led the way upstairs at full speed. As he was unbolting the trap, Walter
ran into a bedroom and seized an armful of blankets, then ran up the
ladder to the trapdoor, and stepped out on to the roof. The door was
closed behind him, and he heard the bolts drawn, and then his host ran
downstairs and told the frightened servants to open the doors, which had
so far resisted the attack from without. Headed by an officer, the
soldiers rushed in.

"What means this violence?" the gentleman asked. "Why is my house broken
into in this way?"

"I arrest you, and all who are in this house," the officer said, "on the
charge of treason."

"Treason!" the gentleman said, coolly. "You will find no treason here. I
have a few friends upstairs, who are cracking a bottle of port; but that
is not, so far as I am aware, against the law."

The officer ran upstairs to the room where the others were standing, as
if surprised at the tumult, round the table, on which were bottles and
half-filled glasses.

"Take the names of all these persons," the officer said to the sergeant
who followed him, "and then convey them in custody to the castle."

"There is no trouble about their names," the host said. "All are well
known and peaceful citizens, as can be testified by any magistrate."

"Where is the man who was with you?" the officer said, looking round.