Cluny had all day endeavoured in vain to gather any news.  He had the day before sold some of his eggs and chickens at the governor’s house, and towards evening he determined again to go thither and to make an attempt to enter the house, where he had heard that the officers of the garrison were to be entertained that evening at a banquet.  “If I could but overhear what is said there, my mind would be at rest.  Certainly nothing is known to the soldiers; but it may well be that if treachery is intended tomorrow, the governor will this evening explain his plans to his officers.”

He had, before entering the town, again filled up his basket with the unsold portion of Jock’s stock, for which the latter had no further occasion.  The cook at the governor’s, when he had purchased the eggs on the previous day, had bade him call again, as Cluny’s prices were considerably below those in the market.  It was late in the afternoon when he again approached the house.  The sentry at the gate asked no question, seeing a girl with a basket, and Cluny went round again to the door of the kitchen.

“How late you are, girl!” the cook said angrily.  “You told me you would come again today, and I relied upon you, and when you did not come it was too late, for the market was closed.”

“I was detained, sir,” Cluny said, dropping a curtsey; “my mother is ill, and I had to look after the children and get the dinner before they went away.”

“There, don’t waste time talking,” the cook said, snatching the basket from him.  “I have no time to count the eggs now; let me know the tale of them and the chickens at the same price as you charged yesterday, and come for your money tomorrow; I have no time to pay now.  Here,” he called to one of the scullions, “take out these eggs and chickens quickly, but don’t break any, and give the basket to the girl here.”

So saying he hurried off to attend to his cooking.

Cluny looked round.  But three paces away a half open door led into the interior of the house.  His resolution was taken in a moment.  Seeing that none were looking at him he stole through the door, his bare feet falling noiselessly on the stones.  He was now in a spacious hall.  On one side was an open door, and within was a large room with tables spread for a banquet.  Cluny entered at once and looked round for a place of concealment; none was to be seen.  Tablecloths in those days were almost unknown luxuries.  The tables were supported by trestles, and were so narrow that there was no possibility of hiding beneath them; nor were there hangings or other furniture behind which he could be concealed.  With a beating heart he turned the handle of a door leading into another apartment, and found himself in a long and narrow room, used apparently as the private office of the governor.  There were many heavy chairs in the room, ranged along the wall, and Cluny crouched in a corner by the window beside a chair standing there.  The concealment was a poor