About half-past four loud feminine shrieks were heard coming from the courtyard, and by the dim light of a decrescent moon and the first grey of dawn two massive figures were visible hurrying toward the south postern where Chester Royde was in command of the guard. He seized the pail of soapy water which Ben Nevis had been persuaded to substitute for boiling water, and told Toker who was with him on duty to fling open the postern so that he could make a sally and soak the attackers.

“Hold your fire, sir,” Toker begged. Through the casement beside the postern he had recognized the massive figures. “Hold your fire, please, sir. I’m going to open the door. It’s Miss Catriona and Miss Mary.”

The butler’s eyes had not deceived him. Through the open postern the hefty daughters of the house dashed panting and as it closed behind them each threw down upon the floor a wriggling squealing hikeress.

“Got away from the Cave of the Calf on Ben Cruet,” Catriona growled. “And bagged those two squawkers by the edge of the larches.”

“Well, I do congratulate you girls,” said Chester, looking at the two captives in green corduroy shorts who were sitting up by now and scowling at their assailants.

“We had to dash for it good-oh,” Mary said. “The Castle’s going to be attacked. We overheard them talking about it.”

“They’re all around us already,” said Chester. “Your father’s in command. You’d better go along and report with your prisoners.”

“Get up, you little blighter,” Catriona growled at her prisoner, a small dark young woman. “And if you try to bite me again I’ll give you a jolly good welting.”

“And that goes for you, you little tick,” Mary growled at hers.

“I’m not going to get up before I get a safety-pin,” said Mary’s captive, a towzled fluffy fair girl called Edith Bassett.

“What, do you want a safety-pin for, you little squirt?” Mary growled contemptuously.

“Never mind what I want it for, you. I’m not going to get up for anybody till I have a safety-pin,” said Edith Bassett.

“Where are we going to put these two?” Catriona asked.

“I know where they ought to be put,” Mary replied cryptically.

“Oh, you do, do you?” said Edith Bassett. “I know where you ought to be put—isn’t that right, Minnie?”

“Yes, and be careful to pull it,” said Minnie.

The hefty sisters were not prepared to be jeered at by these two little Cockneys. They bent down and picking up Edith Bassett and Minnie Rogers, put them under their arms and walked off. It was at once apparent why Edith Bassett had demanded a safety-pin.