News spreads rapidly in villages at all times, and it was, therefore, not
surprising that Matthew Hale should hear that there were Roundheads at
Myddelton Hall very soon after they had clattered into the courtyard.
"Roundheads at the Hall, are there?" he said. "Then I reckon I'll join
them. It won't be the first time I've met a Roundhead--no, nor smashed one,
either." So saying, he laid aside his hammer, and, taking instead a bar of
iron, he left his boy in charge of the smithy, and set out for the Hall.
Matthew reached the Hall a few minutes after the Captain and two of the
Roundheads had ridden off. The first person he saw was Philip, who, with
the three boys and little Jack, were plotting together in the shrubbery.
"Hullo, Matt!" cried Philip; "come here. We want you."
Matthew turned aside from the carriageway, and joined the little group.
They all looked profoundly grave and important.
"What is it, young master?" said the blacksmith. "And where's Mistress
Barbara? Don't say she's ill."
Then Philip told him the story, omitting all reference to the refugee,
whose existence was a secret to the other boys, from the arrival of the
Captain to his departure, ending:
"And at this very moment, Matt, there are three Roundhead soldiers on guard
in the Hall--two at the doors, and one standing--can you believe
it?--standing at my sister's door.
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