“The messenger could not find me,” Archie said.  “Is all well at the castle?”

“All is well,” the man replied.  “The English have made two attacks, but have been beaten back with loss.  This morning some great machines have arrived from Stirling and have begun battering the walls.  Is it your will that I remain here on guard, now that you have come?”

“Yes,” Archie answered.  “It were best that one should be always stationed here, seeing that the entrance might perchance be discovered by one wandering in the wood, or they might obtain the secret of its existence from a prisoner.  If footsteps are heard approaching retire at once with the news.  There is no danger if we are warned in time, for we can turn the water from the moat into it.”

Archie and his followers now made their way along the passage until they entered the castle.  As they issued out from the entrance a shout of joy rose from those near, and the news rapidly flew through the castle that Archie had arrived.  In a moment Marjory ran down and threw herself into his arms.

“Welcome back, Archie, a thousand times!  I have been grievously anxious as the days went on and you did not return, and had feared that some evil must have befallen you.  It has been a greater anxiety to me than the defence of the castle; but I have done my best to be hopeful and bright, to keep up the spirits of our followers.”

“It was no easy task for your messenger to find me, Marjory, for we are ever on the move.  Is my mother here?”

“No, Archie, she went a fortnight since on a visit to Lady Gordon.”

“It is well,” Archie said, “for if in the end we have to leave the castle, you, who have proved yourself so strong and brave, can, if needs be, take to the hills with me; but she could not support the fatigues of such a life.  And now, dear, we have marched all night and shall be glad of food; while it is preparing I will to the walls and see what is going on.”

As Archie reached the battlement a loud cheer broke from the defenders gathered there, and Sandy Grahame hurried up to him.

“Welcome back, Sir Archie; glad am I to give up the responsibility of this post, although, indeed, it is not I who have been in command, but Lady Marjory.  She has been always on the walls, cheering the men with her words and urging them to deeds of bravery; and, indeed, she has frightened me sorely by the way in which she exposed herself where the arrows were flying most thickly, for as I told her over and over again, if the castle were taken I knew that you would be sure that I had done my best, but what excuse should I be able to make to you if I had to bear you the news that she had been killed?”

“And what did she say to that, Sandy?”

“Truth, Sir Archie, she’s a woman and wilful, and she just laughed and said that you would know you could not keep her in order yourself, and could not therefore expect me to rule her.”