[Illustration: Cover art. ]

[Frontispiece: The Countess raised her hand and pointed at him. ]

BEATRIX OF CLARE

BY

JOHN REED SCOTT

AUTHOR OF "THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS"

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY

CLARENCE F. UNDERWOOD

GROSSET & DUNLAP

PUBLISHERS ------- NEW YORK

Copyright, 1907, by John Reed Scott

Published May, 1907

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I. RUDDY TRESSES AND GREAT EYES II. RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER III. THE VOICE ON THE RAMPARTS IV. TRAILING CHAINS V. THE CAPTURED FAVOR VI. A WAYSIDE SKIRMISH VII. A FAVOR LOST VIII. THE INN OF NORTHAMPTON IX. THE ARREST X. THE LADY MARY CHANGES BARGES XI. ON CHAPEL CREEK XII. THE KING'S WORD XIII. AT ROYAL WINDSOR XIV. THE QUEEN OF ARCHERY XV. THE FROWN OF FATE XVI. THE FLAT-NOSE REAPPEARS XVII. IN PURSUIT XVIII. THE HOUSE IN SHEFFIELD XIX. BACK TO THE KING XX. IN ABEYANCE XXI. BUCKINGHAM'S REVENGE XXII. THE KNIGHT AND THE ABBOT XXIII. THREE CHEVRONS GULES XXIV. "WHEN YOU HAVE TOPPED THESE STAIRS" XXV. A PAGE FROM THE PAST XXVI. THE JUDGMENT OF THE KING

ILLUSTRATIONS

Cover Art

The Countess raised her hand and pointed at him . . . _Frontispiece_

The Duke fastened his eyes upon the young knight's face. 

He struck him a swinging right arm blow that sent him plunging amongthe rushes on the floor. 

BEATRIX OF CLARE

I

RUDDY TRESSES AND GREY EYES

Two archers stepped out into the path, --shafts notched and bows up. 

"A word with your worship, " said one. 

The Knight whirled around. 

"A word with your worship, " greeted him from the rear. 

He glanced quickly to each side. 

"A word with your worship, " met him there. 

He shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the limb of a fallen tree. Resistance was quite useless, with no weapon save a dagger, and noarmor but silk and velvet. 

"The unanimity of your desires does me much honor, " he said; "prayproceed. "

The leader lowered his bow. 

"It is a great pleasure to meet you, Sir Aymer de Lacy, " said he, "andparticularly to be received so graciously. "

"You know me?"

"We saw you arrive yesterday--but there were so many with you wehesitated to ask a quiet word aside. "

The Knight smiled. "It is unfortunate--I assure you my talk would havebeen much more interesting then. "

"In that case it is we who are the losers. "

De Lacy looked him over carefully. 

"Pardieu, man, " said he, "your language shames your business. "

The outlaw bowed with sweeping grace. 

"My thanks, my lord, my deepest thanks. " He unstrung his bow andleaned upon the stave; a fine figure in forest green and velvet bonnet, a black mask over eyes and nose, a generous mouth and strong chin belowit. "Will your worship favor me with your dagger?" he said. 

The Knight tossed it to him. 

"Thank you . . . A handsome bit of craftsmanship . . . These stones aretrue ones, _n'est ce pas_?"

"If they are not, I was cheated in the price, " De Lacy laughed. 

The other examined it critically. 

"Methinks you were not cheated, " he said, and drew it through his belt. "And would your lordship also permit me a closer view of the fine goldchain that hangs around your neck?"

De Lacy took it off and flung it over. 

"It I will warrant true, " he said. 

The outlaw weighed the links in his hand, then bit one testingly. 

"So will I, " said he, and dropped the chain in his pouch. 

"And the ring with the ruby--it is a ruby, is it not?--may I alsoexamine it? . . . I am very fond of rubies. . . Thank you; you aremost obliging. . . It seems to be an especially fine stone--andworth . . . How many rose nobles would you say, my lord?"

"I am truly sorry I cannot aid you there, " De Lacy answered; "beingneither a merchant nor a robber, I have never reckoned its value. "

The other smiled. "Of course, by 'merchant, ' your worship has noreference to my good comrades nor myself. "

"None whatever, I assure you. "

"Thank you; I did not think you would be so discourteous. . . Buttouching money reminds me that doubtless there is some such aboutyou--perhaps you will permit me to count it for you. "

The Knight drew out a handful of coins. "Will you have them one by oneor all together?" he asked. 

"All together; on the turf beside you, if you please. . . Thankyou. . . And do you know, Sir Aymer, I am vastly taken with the shortgown of velvet and sable--you brought it from France, I assume; thefashion smacks of the Continent. I would like much to have youropinion as to how it looks on me--we are rather of a size, I takeit--though I shall have to forego the pleasure of the opinion untilanother day. . . And now that I can see your doublet, I am enamouredalso of it--will you lend it to me for a little while? Truly, my lord, I mind never to have seen a handsomer, or one that caught my fancymore. "

De Lacy looked again at the archers and their ready bows. 

"St. Denis, fellow, " he said, "leave me enough clothes to return to thecastle. "

"God forbid, " exclaimed the bandit, "that I should put a gallantgentleman to any such embarrassment--but you must admit it were a shameto have gown and doublet and yet no bonnet to match them. . . "

The Knight took it off and sent it spinning toward him. 

"Note the feather, " he said. "It is rarely long and heavy. "

"I observed that yesterday, " was the merry response. 

"Is there anything else about me you care for?" De Lacy asked. 

"Nothing--unless you could give me your rarely generous disposition. Methinks I never met a more obliging gentleman. "

The Knight arose. "Then, as I am already overdue at Windsor, I shallgive you good morning. "

The archer raised his hand. 

"I am sorry, my lord, but we must impose a trifle further on your goodnature and ask you to remain here a while, " and he nodded to the manbeside him, who drew a thin rope from his pouch and came forward. 

De Lacy started back--the leveled arrows met him on every side. 

"You would not bind me!" he exclaimed. 

The outlaw bowed again. 

"It grieves me to the heart to do it, but we have pressing businesselsewhere and must provide against pursuit. Some one will, I hope, chance upon you before night. . . Proceed, James--yonder beech willanswer. "

The Knight laughed. 

"I thank you for the hope, " he said--and, throwing his body into theblow, smashed the rogue with the rope straight on the chin-point, andleaping over him closed with the leader. 

It was done so quickly and in such positions that the others dared notshoot lest they strike either James or their chief--but the strugglewas only for a moment; for they sprang in and dragged the Knight away, and whipped the rope about his arms. 

"Marry, " exclaimed the leader, brushing the dirt from his clothes, "Iam sorry they did not let us have the wrestle out--though you are aquick hitter, my lord, and powerful strong in the arms. I wager youshowed James more stars than he ever knew existed. "

James, still dazed, was struggling to get up, and one of the othersgave him a hand. 

"By St. Hubert, " he growled, rubbing his head in pain and scowling atDe Lacy, "if there be more I have no wish to see them. "

In the fight De Lacy's forearm had struck the point of his own dagger, where it protruded below the brigand's belt, and the blood wasscarleting the white sleeve of his tunic. 

The leader came over and bared the wound. 

"It is a clean gash, my lord, " he said, "but will need a bandage. " Hedrew a bow-cord around the arm above the elbow; then, "With yourpermission, " carefully cut away the sleeve and deftly bound up the hurt. 

De Lacy watched him curiously. 

"You are a charming outlaw, " he observed; "a skillful surgeon--and Ifancy, if you so cared, you could claim a gentle birth. "

The man stepped back and looked him in the eyes a moment. 

"If I remove the bonds, will you give me your Knightly word to remainhere, speaking to no one until . . . The sun has passed the topmostbranch of yonder oak?"

The Knight bowed. 

"That I will, and thank you for the courtesy. "

At a nod the rope was loosed, and the next instant the outlaws hadvanished in the forest--but De Lacy's cloak lay at his feet, flungthere by the chief himself. 

"St. Denis!" De Lacy marveled, "has Robin Hood returned to the flesh?"

Then he looked at the sun, and resumed his seat on the fallen tree. 

"A pretty mess, " he mused--"a stranger in England--my first day atWindsor and the jest of the castle. . . Stripped like a jowlytradesman . . . Taken like a cooing babe . . . Purseless . . . Daggerless . . . Bonnetless . . . Doubletless--aye, naked, but for anoutlaw's generosity . . . Cut by my own weapon"--he held up his handand looked at the abraded knuckles--"and that is all the credit I haveto show--the mark of a caitiff's chin. . . Methinks I am fit only forthe company of children. "

He glanced again at the sun--it seemed not to have moved at all--thensat in moody silence; the wound was smarting now, and he frowned at itevery time it gave an extra twinge. . . Would the sun nevermove? . . . He got up and paced back and forth, his eyes on the oak atevery turn--truly that tree was growing higher every minute--or the sunwas sinking. . . Not that he was in haste to return to Windsor. . . There would be a fine tale to tell there--no need to speed to it--itwould speed to him quite soon enough. . . . But to get away from theaccursed place--anywhere . . . Back to Windsor even . . . What if someone found him here in this plight--and he not allowed to speak--unableto explain--dumb as that oak. . . Would the sun never move! The woundwas stinging sharply, and the arm above the cord was turning black andswelling fast--the pressure must come off. He felt for his dagger;then flung out an imprecation, and tried to tear the cord asunder withhis teeth. It was quite futile; it was sunk now so deep in the fleshhe could not seize it--and the knots were drawn too tight to loose. . . Would the sun never move!

He fell to searching for a stone--a small one with an edge that couldreach in and rasp the deer-hide cord apart--but vainly; though he triedmany, only to leave his arm torn and bleeding. . . Yet at last the sunhad moved--it was up among the thinner branches. 

Of a sudden, back in the forest rose the deep bay of a mastiff . . . And presently again--and nearer . . . And a third time--and stillnearer . . . And then down the path came the great tawny dog, tailarched forward, head up--and behind him a bay horse, a woman in thesaddle. 

"Down, Rollo, down!" she cried, as the mastiff sprang ahead. . . "Beside me, sir!" and the dog whirled instantly and obeyed. 

De Lacy bethought himself of his cloak, and hurrying to where it lay hetried to fling it around his shoulders, but with only one hand and hishaste he managed badly and it slipped off and fell to the ground. Ashe seized it again the horse halted behind him. 

"You are wounded, sir, " she said; "permit me to aid you. "

He turned slowly, bowing as he did so--he dared not speak--then glancedup, and almost spoke in sheer amazement, as he beheld the slenderfigure in green velvet--the sweet, bow-shaped mouth, the high-bred, sensitive nose, the rounded chin, the tiny ear, the soft, deep greyeyes, and, crowning all, the great rolls of the auburn hair thatsunbeams spin to gold. 

"Come, sir, " said she, "I stopped to aid you, not to be stared at. "

De Lacy flushed and made to speak, then checked himself, and withanother bow held up his arm and motioned for her to cut the cord. 

"Merciful Mother!" she exclaimed, and severed it with a touch of herbodkin. 

The blood flooded fiercely forward and the wound began to bleed afresh. 

"The bandage needs adjusting--come, " and slipping from saddle shetossed the rein to the dog and went over to the fallen tree. "Sitdown, " she ordered. 

With a smile De Lacy obeyed; as yet she did not seem to note hissilence. And it was very pleasant indeed--the touch of her slimfingers on his bare arm--the perfume of her hair as she bent over thework--the quick upward glance at times of her grey eyes questioning ifshe hurt him. He was sorry now there were not a dozen wounds for herto dress. 

"There, that will suffice until you get proper attendance, " she said, tying the last knot and tucking under the ends. 

He took her hand and bowing would have kissed it; but she drew it awaysharply and turned to her horse. Then she stopped and looked at him insudden recollection. 

"Parbleu, man, where is your tongue?" she demanded. "You had one lastnight. "

Where she had seen him he did not know; he had not seen her--and itonly tangled the matter the more, for now she would know he was notdumb. But how to explain?

He smiled and bowed. 

"That is the sixth time I have got a bow when a word was due, " shesaid. "There may be a language of genuflections, but I do not know it. "

He bowed again. 

"Seven, " she counted; "the perfect number--stop with it. "

He put his hand to his lips and shook his head in negation--thenpointed to the sun and the tree, and shook his head again--then oncemore to the sun and slowly upward to the top of the tree, and nodded inaffirmation. 

She watched him with a puzzled frown. 

"Are you trying to tell me why you do not speak?" she asked. 

He nodded eagerly. 

"Tell me again" . . . And she studied his motions carefully. . . "Thesun and the tree--and the sun and the tree again . . . Is that yourmeaning? . . . Ah! . . . The _top_ of the tree . . . I think I ambeginning to understand. . . . Where is your doublet?"

De Lacy pointed into the forest. 

"And your bonnet? . . . With your doublet? . . . And your dagger? . . . Gone with the others? . . . You mean your ring? and it went with them, too? . . . Yes, yes--I see now--outlaws, and your wound got in thestruggle. " . . . She turned toward the tree. . . "Ah! I have it:--youare paroled to silence until the sun has risen above the highestbranch . . . What? . . . And also must remain here until then? . . . Isee--it was that or die . . . No? . . . Oh! that or be bound? . . . Well, truly the knaves were wondrous courteous!" . . . She studied DeLacy's face a moment--then sat down. "Would you like company?" sheasked. 

Would he like company! Her company!

She laughed gayly--though a bit of color touched her cheek. 

"Thank you, " she said, "I can read your countenance better than yourbows. "

Then suddenly his face grew grave and he motioned no. 

"Yes, and I can understand that, too, " she smiled, "and thank you forit. It may be a trifle uncommon to sit here in the depths of Windsorforest with a man I never met . . . Never even saw until lastnight . . . And who has never spoken a single word to me . . . Yet"(glancing at the sun) "the time is not long and . . . The path israrely traveled. "

He smiled--but the concern lingered in his eyes and he shook his headquestioningly. 

"Nay, sir, do you not see your very urging me to go proves me safe instaying?"

He hesitated, still doubtful--then threw himself on the turf at herfeet. 

"I suppose it is for me to do the talking, " she observed. 

And as she talked he fell to watching the sun in her hair--the play ofher lips--the light in her eyes. . . . Never before would he havebelieved that grey could be so deep and tender; or that a mouth couldbe so tantalizing; or the curve of a cheek so sweet; or ruddy tressesso alluring. . . . And her voice--was there ever such another!--soft, low, clear, like silver bells at twilight out at sea. 

And in the watching he lost her words, nor nodded when heshould--until, at length, she sprang up and went over to her horse. And when in sharp contrition he followed after to apologize, she methim with a laugh and gracious gesture--then pointed to the sun. 

"The parole is lifted, " she said. "Will you put me up?"

With his sound arm he swung her into saddle--and with Rollo in advanceand him beside her they went slowly back to Windsor. And now he didthe talking--telling first the story of the outlaws. 

When the towers of the huge castle showed afar through the trees, DeLacy halted. 

"Would you deem me rude if I went no further with you?" he asked. 

She smiled kindly. "On the contrary, I would deem you very wise. "

"I care not to proclaim my adventure with the outlaws. It would makeme a merry jest in the hall. "

"I understand--and yet, wounded and without bonnet or doublet, you willnot pass unnoted; an explanation will be obligatory. "

"The wound is easy, " he said; "my own dagger made it, you remember--butthe doublet and bonnet, particularly the doublet, are bothersome. "

She looked at him with quick decision. 

"I will manage that, " she said; "your squire shall bring both to youhere. "

De Lacy's face lighted with sudden pleasure, and he put out his handtoward hers--then drew it sharply back and bowed. 

"Still bowing?" she said naively. 

"I have no words to speak my gratitude, " he said. 

"And I no ears that wish to hear them, if you had, " she laughed. "Thismorning you have had much trouble--I much pleasure--the scales arebalanced--the accounts canceled. We will forget it all. Never will Imention it to you--nor you to me--nor either to another. When we meetagain it will be as though to-day had never been. . . Nay, sir, itmust be so. You have been unfortunate, I unconventional--it is bestfor both we start afresh. "

"But am I not even to know your name?" he protested. 

She shook her head. "Not even that, now, and I ask your word not toseek to know it--until we meet again. "

"You have it, " said he, "until we meet again--to-morrow. "

She smiled vaguely. "It will be a far to-morrow . . . Good-bye, mylord, " and rode away--then turned. "Wait for your squire, " she called. 

"And for to-morrow, " he cried. 

But she made no answer, and with a wave of her hand was gone, the dogleaping in front of her and baying loud with joy. 

II

RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

But the morrow brought no maid, nor a fortnight of morrows--she hadvanished; and seek as he might at Windsor or through the Tower he couldnot find her. Had he been privileged to inquire the quest would havebeen ended by a word--but she herself had closed his lips to questions. 

Then the mighty Edward died, and all was confusion in the Court; andwhat with the funeral, the goings and the comings, the plottings andthe intrigues, De Lacy was in a maze. The boy King was at Ludlow withRivers, and it was Nobility against Queen and Woodville until he camefor his crowning. And in the turmoil De Lacy was forced to cease, forthe nonce, the pursuit of ruddy tresses and grey eyes, and choose wherehe would stand. And presently that choice sent him riding into theNorth--bearing a message to the man in distant Pontefract, upon whom, at that moment, all England was waiting and who, as yet, had made nomove, Richard of Gloucester. 

The day was far spent, and before a fireplace in his private apartmentsRichard sat alone, in heavy meditation. The pale, clean-shaven, youthful face, with its beautiful mouth and straight Norman nose, andthe short, slender figure in its mantle and doublet of black velvetfurred with ermine, rich under tunic of white satin, tight-fitting hoseof silk, and dark brown hair hanging bushy to the shoulders, would havebeen almost effeminate but for the massively majestic forehead and thefierce black eyes--brilliant, compelling, stern, proud--that flashedforth the mighty soul within. 

Although he had just passed his thirtieth year, yet his fame was aswide as the domain of chivalry, and his name a thing to conjure with inEngland. Born in an age when almost as children men of rank andstation were called upon to take their sires' place, Richard had beenfamed for his wisdom and statecraft before the years when the period ofyouth is now presumed to begin. At the age of eighteen he had led theflower of the Yorkist army at the great battles of Barnet andTewkesbury, and not the dauntless Edward himself, then in the heyday ofhis prowess, was more to be feared than the slight boy who swept withinconceivable fury through the Lancastrian line, carrying death on hislance-point and making the Boar of Gloucester forever famous in Englishheraldry. And since then his hauberk had scarce been off his back, andwhile his royal brother was dallying in a life of indulgence amid thedissipations of his Court, the brave and resolute Richard was leadinghis armies, administering his governments, and preserving order on theMarches of the Border. 

Presently there was a sharp knock on the door and a page entered. 

"Well?" demanded the Duke abruptly. 

"May it please you, my lord, " said the boy; "a messenger of importancewho desires immediate audience. "

Richard frowned slightly. 

"Whose badge does he wear?" he asked. 

"No one's, my lord, but the fashion of his armor savors of the Court. He bade me announce him as Sir Aymer de Lacy. "

"The name, boy, is better recommendation than any fashion. Admit him. "

De Lacy crossed to the center of the apartment with easy grace, andafter a deep obeisance stood erect and silent facing the Duke, who eyedhim critically. A trifle over the average height and rather slender, and clad in complete mail except for the bascinet which he carried inhis hand, there was something in his appearance and bearing thatimpressed even the warlike Richard. His dark hair hung in curls to hisgorget. His hauberk of polished steel was but partially concealed bythe jupon of azure silk emblazoned with a silver stag trippant; hiscuissarts and greaves glistened in the firelight, and his longsollerets bore on their heels the golden spurs of his rank. Around hiswaist was a broad belt wrought in gold, and from it, almost in front, hung a great two-handed sword whose point reached to within a fewinches of the floor. 

"You are welcome, " said Gloucester. "A De Lacy should ever find aready greeting at Pontefract. Of what branch of the family are you?"

"One far removed from that which built this fortress, most noble Duke, "returned the Knight, with a peculiarly soft accent. "My own ancestorwas but distantly connected with the last great Earl of Lincoln whomthe First Edward loved so well. "

"I do not recall your name among those who fought for either York orLancaster. Did your family wear the White Rose or the Red?"

"Neither, " said De Lacy. "Providence removed my sire ere the fraybegan aright and when I was but a child in arms. When Your Grace wonfame at Tewkesbury I had but turned my thirteenth year. "

"Where is your family seat?"

"At Gaillard Castle in the shire of Leicester, close by the RiverWeak--or at least it stood there when last I saw it. It is ten longyears since I crossed its drawbridge and not twelve months of my lifehave been spent within its walls. "

"Your accent smacks of a Southern sun, " said the Duke. 

"My mother was of a French house, and to her own land she took me whenmy father died;" and, observing the Duke glance at his spurs, he added:"It was from France's Constable that I received the accolade. "

"Then right well did you deserve it; St. Pol gave no unearned honors. "

"I was favored much beyond my deserts, " De Lacy replied, although hisface flushed at a compliment from the renowned Gloucester. 

"Your modesty but proves your merit, " returned the Duke. . . "And nowyour message. From whom come you?"

"From the Duke of Buckingham, my lord, " said De Lacy; and the keen lookthat accompanied the words did not escape the Prince. But De Lacy didnot know the man before whom he stood, else would he have wasted noenergy in any such attempt. As well try to read the visage of agranite cliff as to discover the thoughts of Richard Plantagenet fromthe expression of his face. And if the royal Duke were in aughtconcerned as to the communication of the powerful Buckingham, there wasno evidence of it in his voice or in the eminently courteous andappropriate question as he instantly responded:

"How did you leave His Grace and where?"

"He was most hearty when we parted at Gloucester; he for his castle ofBrecknock and I for Pontefract. "

"He had been in London?"

"Yes, my lord, since before King Edward's demise. "

"Then are his letters very welcome. "

"Your pardon, sir, " said De Lacy, "but I bear no letters;" and asRichard regarded him in sharp interrogation he added: "My message is byword of mouth. "

"And why, " said the Duke in the same calm tone he had employedthroughout the conversation, "should I credit your story, seeing that Ineither know you nor recall your silver trippant stag among the presentdevices of our land. "

"My bearing, " returned De Lacy tranquilly, "comes to me from mymother's family, of which she was the heiress, and on Englishbattlefield it has never shone. And unless this ring attest theauthority of my message it must be unsaid, " and drawing from his fingera broad gold band, in which was set a great flat emerald with a swanexquisitely cut on its face, he handed it to the Duke. 

Richard examined it for a moment, then returned it with a smile. 

"You are sufficiently accredited, " he said. "I will hear your message. What said Stafford?"

"The Duke of Buckingham, " replied Aymer, "sends to the Duke ofGloucester his most humble greeting and his very sincere condolenceupon the death of Your Grace's great brother and sire. "

"Pass over the formalities, Sir Aymer, " interrupted the Duke curtly. "It was scarce for them you rode from London to Pontefract. "

Aymer bowed. "Buckingham's message was in these words: 'Tell the Dukeof Gloucester to hasten to London without delay. I have conferred withthe Lords Howard, Hastings, and Stanley, and we are of the one mindthat he must be Lord Protector. Tell him we pledge to him our wholesupport if he will give us his countenance in this crucial struggleagainst the Woodvilles. '"

"Did he say nothing as to the present status of the situation?"inquired Gloucester quietly. "I am far from Court and know little ofits happenings. "

"With them, my lord, I am fully acquainted, " said De Lacy, "both frommy own observation and by the Duke himself. "

"How stands the matter, then?"

"Rather favorable to the Queen's faction than otherwise. The King'scoronation has been fixed for the first Lord's Day of the coming monthand His Majesty is to be escorted from Ludlow by two thousand men. TheMarquis of Dorset has seized the treasure in the Tower and Sir EdwardWoodville has been tampering with the navy, and methinks not withoutresult. The Queen and the whole family are catering to the populaceand spare no effort to win their favor. Only action sharp and suddenwill enable the Barons to prevail. "

For a moment Gloucester made no response, but sat with his head bentupon his bosom, as was his habit when in thought. Presently he said:

"How do you know that the King's escort will number two thousand?"

"The Council so fixed it, and very much against the wishes of theQueen. "

"She wanted more, I doubt not, " said the Duke meditatively. 

"She long held that less than five thousand would not be fitting thedignity of a King. "

Gloucester looked up with a trace of a smile around his eyes. 

"Will the Earl of Rivers accompany his nephew?" he asked. 

"It was so reported to His Grace of Buckingham; and further, also, thatthey would not start from Ludlow until the feast of St. George hadpassed. "

"Did Stafford advise no plan in case I fell in with his desires?"

"None. The lords will follow whatever course you fix. All that theyurge is haste. "

"How long does Buckingham remain at Brecknock?"

"Until he receive word from you--or failing in that, until there be buttime sufficient to reach London for the coronation. "

"Was it his purpose that you should carry my answer?"

"Nay, my lord Duke, " said De Lacy. "Here ends my mission forBuckingham. It was but as friend for friend that I bore this message. I am not of his household nor was it his business that brought me here. "

"What brought you to Pontefract then, Sir Knight?" said Richardsternly. "As Buckingham's messenger you have received due honor; thataside, your name alone commends you. "

"I sought Pontefract, " De Lacy replied, "for the single purpose oftendering my sword to the Duke of Gloucester, hoping in his service tobrighten the dimmed lustre of my House. "

Not for an instant did the searching eyes of Richard leave the youngKnight's face. 

"Why do you prefer the Boar of Gloucester to the Stafford Knot?Buckingham is most puissant. "

"A De Lacy, my lord, " answered Aymer proudly, "follows none butPlantagenet. "

"Bravely spoken, " said Gloucester, suddenly dropping his stern air, "and worthy of the great name you bear. I accept your sword. Nay, kneel not, sir; Richard Plantagenet deems himself most fortunate tohave you at his side. "

At that moment the arras was drawn aside and a young and slender womanentered. Her gown was black, unrelieved by any color, save the girdleof gold; her face was almost flawless in its symmetry; her complexionwas of a wondrous whiteness; and her eyes, of the deepest blue, softand melting, and shaded by lashes long and heavy, were of the sort thatbespeak the utmost confidence and know no guile. She hesitated as shesaw De Lacy and was about to withdraw when the Duke glanced around. 

"Nay, sweetheart, " said he, rising and going toward her; "do notretire. . . . Sir Aymer de Lacy, I present you to the Duchess ofGloucester. "

De Lacy advanced and sinking upon one knee touched his lips to the handshe extended to him. 

"Surely, Sir Knight, " she said, in a voice whose sweetness struck evenhis Southern-bred ear, "a De Lacy should ever be welcome in the hallsof Pontefract. "

"Your words, most gracious lady, " answered Aymer, "are almost thoseused by my lord, the Duke, and to a wanderer's heart they are verygrateful. "

"You are an errant, then; a Sir Guy or Sir Lancelot, " said the Duchess. 

"Nay. Only a poor and simple Knight whose highest honor is that he mayhenceforth follow the banner of your great husband. "

"Then must hauberk sit easy as velvet doublet or I know not my lord, "and she smiled at Richard. 

"Do not, " said he, "give to Sir Aymer the notion that he has nothingbut hard blows before him--although, indeed, he rode hither on scarce apeaceful mission, since he bears from Stafford and the Nobility thetender of the Protectorship and the insistence that I proceed to Londonwithout delay. "

As he spoke the face of the Duchess suddenly became grave, and steppingswiftly to his side she put her hand upon his arm. 

"You will not go, Richard?" she begged. 

"Why, sweetheart, what ails you? Why should a journey to London and apossible exchange of blows alarm you?"

"It is not the journey, dear, " she answered. "Many a time have youtaken it; and, for the blows, did I not speed you to the Scottish war?Yet I have a foreboding--nay, smile not, my lord!--that upon yourcourse in this matter hangs not only your own fate, but the fate ofPlantagenet as well. Accept it not, " taking his hand and speaking withdeep entreaty; "the Protectorship can add nothing to Richard ofGloucester, and it may work not only your doom but that of the greatHouse of Anjou. "

"Nay, Anne, you are ill, surely, " said Richard, putting his arm aroundher. "What has put such uncanny notions into your mind?"

"I do not know; yet I implore you to humor me in this. . . . You havenot already despatched an answer to Buckingham?" she suddenly demanded. 

"No--not yet, " then turned sharply to De Lacy. "It seems, Sir Aymer, that you are to be admitted to my confidence as well as to Stafford's. So be it, for I trust you. Yet, believe me, it is well sometimes toforget. "

De Lacy bowed low, saying simply, "I have forgotten. "

"Forgive me, Richard, " said the Duchess. "My heart so ruled my headthat I quite lost myself. "

The Duke took her hand and pressed it affectionately. "Think no morenow of the matter; we will consider it to-morrow. "

"And you will make no decision until then?"

"None, by St. Paul!" and striking the bell he ordered the page tosummon the Duchess' lady-in-waiting. 

In a moment she appeared: a slender figure in dark blue velvet, withruddy tresses and deep grey eyes--the maid of Windsor Forest. 

De Lacy caught his breath and stood staring, like one bereft of sense, until the dropping of the arras hid her from his sight. Then he sawGloucester regarding him with a smile. 

"You are not the first, " he observed, "nor, I warrant, will you be thelast. "

"Her name?" said the Knight so eagerly the Duke smiled again. 

"She is Beatrix de Beaumont, in her own right Countess of Clare, andsave our own dear spouse no sweeter woman lives. "

"In truth do I believe it; else has God sent a plague upon the Noblesof England. '"

"If disappointed love and blasted hopes can be so reckoned, " saidRichard with a shrug, "then does many a fair lord suffer from thedisease. See that you do not become affected also. "

"Nay, my lord Duke, " replied De Lacy; "I know better than to allow apoor Knight's mind to dwell upon the charms of a great heiress--and shethe Countess of Clare. "

"Pardieu!" said Gloucester; "be not so humble. Your birth is equal toher own; it was only for your peace of mind I cautioned you. "

III

THE VOICE ON THE RAMPARTS

On quitting the Duke, De Lacy dispatched a page for his squire and wasthen conducted to his quarters on the floor above. 

Tossing his gauntlets and bascinet upon the high bed that stood in thecorner near the door, he crossed to the small deep window and swungback the sash. Below him lay the broad bailey, that at this hour wasalive with the servitors and retainers of the Duke. Before thedwellings against the inner wall children were playing, and through thefading light of the April afternoon rose a medley of sounds. From thedirection of the distant gateway sounded the ring of steel-shod hoofs, and presently a body of horsemen cantered across the stone pavement anddrew rein before the keep. A gruff command followed, and just as therank was broken and the soldiery dispersed the sweet tones of the bellof All Saints' Chapel came floating over the walls. 

The Knight crossed himself instinctively, and then, leaning on theledge, his thoughts turned to his family's past and to why he, thoughof the blood of one of the Conqueror's favorite Barons, was a strangerin England. 

The main branch of the House of Lacy, once so powerful in Britain, hadbecome extinct almost two centuries before; and although Sir Aymer'sancestor had borne an honorable part in the wars of the Third Edwardyet, like Chandos, he was content to remain a simple banneret. Whenthe Second Richard went down before his usurping cousin, the then headof the family had stood, to the last, true to his rightful King; andhence it was small wonder that to Sir Richard de Lacy the atmosphere ofthe Court of the new Monarch was not agreeable. When Henry of Monmouthbrought France again under English rule, Sir Richard rode no more tothe wars; and the heir being but an infant, his retainers were musteredunder a stranger's banner. During the later struggles of Bedford andof Warwick to retain the fast relaxing hold of England upon the domainsbeyond the Channel, the then Baron had done his devoir full knightly, but it is not in a losing struggle that families win advancement, and, to the last Lancastrian King, Sir Edward de Lacy was not known. Thencame the Wars of the Roses and, ere Aymer's sire could bind the WhiteRose to his helmet, a sudden illness stilled his hand in death; andthus, again, had the House lost an opportunity to rise in fame andpower. Much honor had Sir Aymer won in the recent small wars andconstant fightings of the Continent, and in the right of his mother'sfamily he might have aspired to high rank at the French Court; butLouis, "the Fell, " was not a warrior's King, nor had long residence ina foreign clime bred in Sir Aymer forgetfulness of the land of hisbirth. 

And so, at length, he had furled his pennon, and followed by hisfaithful squire and a few of his retainers he sought the English Court. And with him went the solemn purpose either to restore the once greatname he bore to its place among the chivalry of England or to let itperish utterly with him. Within a few weeks of his arrival, Edward'ssudden death occurred, and he had been quick to appreciate that hisopportunity lay with Gloucester in the North. A friendship formed withthe Duke of Buckingham some years previous in Paris, and which had beenrenewed in London, had stood him in good stead; for being acquaintedwith De Lacy's purpose of seeking Pontefract, Stafford had to his greatsatisfaction made him his confidential messenger in the very matterwhich was then so near to Richard's heart. 

The entry of the squire broke in on the Knight's thoughts, and heturned from the window. 

"Make haste, Giles, " said he, "and get me out of this steel. "

With the skill of long practice it was quickly done; and removing thesuit of thin yellow leather worn under the harness, De Lacy donned adoublet and short gown of black velvet, and then, throwing himself uponthe bed, he awaited the summons to the evening meal. 

Meanwhile, the squire had laid aside his own armor and stood forth inhis leather suit that was creased and soiled by the iron weight. 

Giles Dauvrey was no fledgling whose apprenticeship had begun among thedainty pages of my lady's bower. A Gascon, and lowly born, he was asimple man-at-arms when, in a small affray on the Italian border, hehad chanced to ward from Sir Aymer de Lacy's head the battle-axe that, falling on him from behind, must else have cleft him to the gorget. The young Knight had thereupon obtained the man's transfer to his ownfollowing and--becoming assured of his bravery and martial fitness--hehad made him his squire when, a few months later, an Italian cross-bolthad wrought a vacancy in the post. Stocky in build, wonderfully quickand thoroughly trained in arms, he also had the rare faculty ofexecuting an order without the slightest evasion, and could be trustedin any emergency either of discretion or valor. Right often had thetwo stood side by side in the press of skirmish and the rush ofbattle, --for they had ever sought the locality of strife--and there hadcome to be little choice for the foeman between the accomplishedaxe-play of the master and the sweeping blows of the sturdy squire. And as among the veteran soldiery of the French-Italian borders no namestood higher than De Lacy, so also was no wearer of the silver spursmore respected than he who bore the banner of the Trippant Stag. 

"It is a great fortress, Giles, " said the Knight. "Never have I seen astronger. "

"Marry, no; nor one, I ween, wherein the discipline was sterner. Areall castles in this land of yours, my lord, so conducted?"

"All wherein the Duke of Gloucester holds command. "

"Of a truth, then, " said Dauvrey, "the tales I have heard of thisPrince are not so wide of the clout. "

"What were the tales?"

"They were many and various, yet I gathered that he was a great warriorand fit to be a ruler of men. "

"And you gathered truly, " returned De Lacy. "He is the best soldierand shrewdest man in all this island Kingdom. "

"How looks he to the eye, my lord?"

"You may judge that for yourself; observe him at the evening meal. Here comes the summons. "

A step came rapidly up the stairs and a page halted at the half-openeddoorway. 

"His Grace requests that Sir Aymer de Lacy join him in the great hall, "he said. 

The Knight arose and flung his short cloak about him. 

"Lead on, " he ordered; "we follow. "

When they entered the hall the Duke was already seated on the dais, surrounded by the officers of his household. On the right, De Lacyrecognized Sir Robert Wallingford, to whom, as Constable of Pontefract, he had been conducted upon his arrival; but the others he was not ableto identify, although, of course, he knew by reputation several whoshould be among them. The chair on Richard's left was unoccupied, andhe motioned for De Lacy to take it. 

"Sit you here, " he said. . . . "Gentlemen, I present Sir Aymer deLacy. He is fresh from London and, I doubt not, can give you much newsof the Court and Capital. "

All arose and bowed to De Lacy, who bowed back at them. 

"My knowledge, such as it is, " said he, "is freely yours. Yet as I wasonly a few weeks in London my budget may be very meagre. But if youwill ask, I will gladly tell you what I know. "

And they did not hesitate to ask, and he was kept busy answeringquestions upon every conceivable subject, from the details of thefuneral of the dead King to the fashion of the latest gown. Indeed itwas not until the meal was almost over that he had an opportunity for aword aside to the Duke. 

"May I ask Your Grace the name of the fair-haired man yonder?" he said. 

"I cry pardon, " Richard exclaimed. "I forgot you were a stranger inEngland. He is my Chamberlain, Sir William Catesby. . . Theblack-moustached Knight with the scar on his forehead, who has just putdown his wine glass, is Sir Richard Ratcliffe. . . The elderly manbeside him with the gray hair and ruddy countenance is Sir RobertBrackenbury. . . The one with the thin, dark face and broad shouldersis Lord Darby of Roxford. --The rest are younger men and of lessprominence. . . The one beside Darby is Sir Ralph de Wilton, next tohim is Sir James Dacre, and on Dacre's left is Sir Henry de Vivonne. "

He pushed back his chair and arose. 

"Gentlemen, " said he, "you are excused from further attendance. " Thenhe called to De Wilton. 

"Sir Ralph, " he said, "Sir Aymer de Lacy is of the Household. Givehim some idea of his duties, and then sponsor him in Her Grace'spresence chamber. "

And Aymer liked De Wilton on the instant, with his courteous manner andfrank, gracious smile, and for an hour or more they sat in pleasantconversation. Then Sir Ralph was summoned to the Duke, and De Lacy, postponing, perforce, his presentation to the Duchess' household untilthe morrow, went for a stroll on the ramparts. 

Night had settled down; the sky was clear and through the cool, crispair the stars were shining brightly. The turmoil in the bailey hadsubsided, but from the quarters of the soldiery rose the hum of voicesthat now and then swelled out into the chorus of some drinking orfighting song. There were lights in many of the dwellings where livedthe married members of the permanent garrison, and from them ever andanon came the shrill tones of some shrewish, woman scolding herchildren or berating her lord and master. For a while Sir Aymer pacedthe great wide wall, reflecting upon what had occurred since he came toPontefract and the matters he had learned from De Wilton. But throughit all a woman's face kept with him and led his thoughts awry, andpresently he turned aside and leaned upon the parapet. 

He had found her--and by accident; and had lost her the same instant. Beatrix of Clare, the greatest heiress in England, was not for him--awanderer and a stranger. She had warned him plainly that day inWindsor Forest--though he, not knowing her, had missed the point tillnow. He might not presume to speak to her until properlypresented--nor even then to refer to what had passed or so much asintimate that they had met before. . . And yet had not Gloucesterhimself bade him be not so humble--that his birth was equal to her own?Why should he not aspire . . . Why not seek her favor . . . What morefavorable conditions would he ever know than now? How extraordinary itwas that she should be in Pontefract--the length of England from wherehe saw her last. Surely the Fates were kind to him! And had sherecognized him? No, for she had not even given him a glance. He hadthought to meet her in the presence chamber this very night; andnow--he must wait until the morrow. Yet the morrow was sure . . . Andthen he would see again that sweet face, those ruddy tresses and greyeyes . . . Would hear that silvery voice. . . 

Hark! he heard it now. 

"Why so abstracted, sir?" it seemed to say. 

He stood quite still--would it come again?

St. Denis! there it was!

"Is she so far away, Sir Ralph?" it asked. 

Sir Ralph! What had Sir Ralph to do with this music?

There came a soft laugh and a touch of a hand on his shoulder. 

He whirled around--and stared in wonder at the woman of his dream. 

"Oh!" she said. "Oh! I thought you were Sir Ralph de Wilton . . . Thenight is dark--pray, forgive me. "

De Lacy bowed low. 

"I am Sir Ralph de Wilton, " he said. 

The Countess smiled. 

"You are very good, " she said, and moved away. 

"May not Sir Ralph walk with you?" De Lacy asked. 

She stopped and with head half turned looked at him thoughtfully. 

"Yes, if he wish, " she answered. 

For a space they walked in silence; she with head averted. . . Presently she laughed. 

"Silence is new in Sir Ralph, " she said. 

"He was waiting leave to speak. "

"And that is newer still. "

"You like the new?" he asked audaciously. 

"Oh! it is variety for the moment"--with the faintest lift of thechin--"though doubtless it would get tiresome in time. "

"Let us enjoy the moment then, " said he. "I was thinking of you whenyou came. "

"I regret, Sir Ralph, I may not be equally flattering. "

"So does Sir Ralph. "

"Though I will admit my thoughts were of a man. "

"He shall have my gage at sunrise. "

She shook her head. "They were not worth it--only idle curiosityconcerning a new member of the Household I noticed in the Duke'schamber this afternoon. " . . . She became interested in her cloak. "Ido not now even recall his name, " she added negligently. 

De Lacy smiled and looked at the stars. 

Presently she shot a quick glance up at him. 

"Did you not meet him at the evening meal, Sir Ralph?"

"He was there--on the Duke's left, " De Lacy answered carelessly. 

"And his name?"

"De Lacy---Aymer de Lacy. "

"A good North of England name, " she commented. 

"Aye, it once ran with Clare in Yorkshire, " he answered. 

"The Clares are done, " said she, and sighed a bit. 

"And the flower of them all bloomed last, " he added gravely. 

But she put the words aside. 

"Do not be foolish, Sir Ralph. You know I dislike compliments. Tellme about this Sir Aymer de Lacy--I never heard of him at Court. "

"He has lived all his life in France. "

"Patriotic, truly!" with a shrug. 

"As to that, " said the Knight, "it is fit that he should answer forhimself, and not through Sir Ralph de Wilton; though either Richard ofGloucester entirely ignored the point or else he was quite satisfied. "

She laughed. "Then it is not for me to raise it; so tell me why hecame to Pontefract. "

"To take service with the Duke, I fancy--and methinks he has alreadyfound one more reason for staying than for coming. "

"The Duke is reason enough for a soldier who wants a man for a master, "she said. Then suddenly faced about. "Let us hasten--I fear I haveoverstayed my time. "

As they rounded a bastion near the keep they encountered Lord Darby. 

"Ah, Beatrix, well met, " he said, offering his arm and noddingcarelessly to De Lacy. "Her Grace desires you. "

"Did she send you for me?" the Countess asked, ignoring his arm andhurrying on--and De Lacy noting it, kept beside her. 

Lord Darby forced a smile. "Not exactly; I volunteered to go for you. "

"You are very kind, " she said rather tartly; "a moment longer and youwould have been saved the trouble. "

Darby's smile failed completely and he made no answer. 

In the doorway the Countess halted--and gave De Lacy her hand. 

"I thank you for the walk, " she said, as he bowed over it; then a merrygleam came in her eyes--"Good night, Sir . . . Aymer. "

IV

TRAILING CHAINS

"Women are queer creatures, " De Wilton remarked, as he turned away fromthe window and sat down beside De Lacy, who having just completed hisfirst tour of duty in the Household as Knight-in-waiting was stilllounging in the antechamber. 

"It seems to me, " said Aymer, "I have heard that idea advanced oncebefore in France--or maybe it was in Italy. "

"Doubtless--but the present proof of it is yonder, " De Wilton answered, nodding toward the window. "The Countess has just gone for a ride withDarby. "

De Lacy looked up from the dagger he was idly polishing on his doubletsleeve. 

"And the proof in particular is what?" he asked. "Her costume, herhorse, or her escort?"

"I gave her the horse, " said De Wilton. 

"That absolves the horse, and as it could not be the costume, it mustbe . . . "

De Wilton brought his fist down on the bancal with a smash. 

"Darby--and may the Devil fly away with him! . . . Oh! it is notjealousy, " catching Aymer's quick glance. "We were children togetherat her father's castle, and she is like a sister to me. "

"And so, as usual, ignores a brother's advice touching her suitors?" DeLacy observed. 

"Touching only this one. "

"Then you should feel flattered. "

"I offered no advice as to any other. "

Aymer sheathed the dagger and adjusted his cloak. 

"I suppose, " said he, "one may assume you are not over-fond of Darby. "

De Wilton nodded. "That you may--and yet if you were to ask my reasonsI could give none, save a thorough detestation. "

"And the Countess has asked for the reason?"

"Many times. "

De Lacy laughed. "I see, " he said. "Now tell me about this Darby--Ithink you mentioned he was not of the Household. "

"Thank Heaven, no--or I would not be of it. He has some power in theWest Riding, and came by special summons of the Duke. But thatbusiness ended two days ago--it is the Countess that holds him now. "

"Well, " said De Lacy, "I, too, would linger if it meant a ride with theCountess of Clare and the favor that implies. "

"Oh, as to that, he is favored no more than a dozen others. What irksme is that she favors him at all. "

"What would you say if I, too, tried for a smile?" De Lacy asked. 

De Wilton ran his eyes very deliberately over the handsome figurebeside him. 

"That you will win it, " he said, "and may be more than one--and thechains that trail behind. . . Beware, the chains are very heavy. "

De Lacy shook his head. "Strong they may be--strong as life--butheavy, never. "

Sir Ralph looked at him in wondering surprise--then clapped him on theshoulder. 

"French skies and French blood! Pardieu, man, go in and show thisDarby and the others how the game is played. "

"But the chains------"

"Wrap them about her also. And by Heaven, why not?--the last of theLacys and the last of the Clares. St. George, it would be like oldtimes in Merry England. "

"Nay, Sir Ralph, " said Aymer, laying his hand upon the other's arm, "your words are quite too flattering. I must be content with thesmile. "

De Wilton raised his eyebrows. "You brought the chains across theChannel with you?"

De Lacy arose. "No, but maybe I have found them since. "

Suddenly De Wilton laughed. "My mind surely is getting weak, " he said. "I clean forgot you had never seen the Countess. "

"Oh, yes, I have--on the wall last night. "

"Was it possible you were near when Darby found her?"

"I was with her. "

"With her!" said De Wilton incredulously. "Surely you do not mean it. "

De Lacy's face straightened. "Be a little more explicit, please, " hesaid. 

"Tut, man, I meant no offence, " was the good-natured answer. "You donot understand the matter. The Countess never walks alone on theramparts after dark with any man save the Duke and me. "

"St. Denis, I forgot. It was _you_ she walked with, " said Aymer. 

De Wilton stared at him. "Are you quite sane?" he asked. 

De Lacy linked his arm within the other's. "Come over to the windowand I will tell you how, last night, Sir Ralph de Wilton chanced towalk with the Countess of Clare on the ramparts of Pontefract. "

"And I suppose then it was you, and not I, who talked with the Duchessin her presence chamber all the time the Countess of Clare was gone. "

"No, I was on the ramparts, too, " De Lacy answered. "Listen--here isthe tale. "

"Good!" exclaimed De Wilton at the end. "She punished Darby well--Iwish I could have seen it; and it cut him to the raw, for all his suaveindifference. " Suddenly he struck the wall sharply. "And yet--sherides with him to-day. St. George! We are back where we started. Women are queer creatures!"

Just then Sir James Dacre stopped at the corridor door. 

"Who is for a ride?" he asked. 

"I am, " said De Lacy, "if Sir Ralph will excuse me. "

De Wilton nodded. "Go, by all means; it was good of you to keep mecompany even for a moment. "

"I might venture to guess, " said Dacre, as they cantered across thebailey toward the gate, "that that black of yours was never foaled inEngland. "

"I got Selim in Spain, " De Lacy answered, "and with him the story thathe came from the stables of the Soldan of Granada--but of that I cannotvouch--nor do I care, " patting the shining shoulder; "he is my goodfriend and companion, and he has never failed me. "

Dacre looked at the small head, with its bright, full, kind eye, broadforehead, tapered muzzle, thin, sensitive nostrils and ears; at thearched neck, the deep chest, the rather short barrel, the narrow waist, powerful flanks, and sinewy, springy, slender legs. 

"He is beautiful, " he said. "Methinks I never saw so perfect a horse. "

"And his intelligence is in kind, " said Aymer. "He has manyaccomplishments, but the one most satisfactory to me is the way heunderstands my voice. . . Observe------"

He dropped the reins over the pommel, and at the word, Selim, withouttouch of knee or shift of bit, went through all the gaits and facings, ending with the most difficult of all--the seven artificial movementsof the horse. 

Sir James Dacre's rather cold face warmed with admiration and he reinedover and stroked the black's soft muzzle. 

"You are a wonder, Selim, " he said. "Your equal is not in the Kingdom;though, in a short dash, the Countess' bay mare might put you to yourspeed. "

"Very likely, " said Aymer, "but I will wager there is none in Englandcan beat him from the Solway to Land's End. "

Dacre smiled--"I would rather share the bet than take it. "

Then the talk led to the horses of France and Spain, and thence to thelife there in general, for Sir James had never crossed the Channel, andhe plied his companion with questions. And so they jogged along inpleasant converse, and De Lacy saw that the reserved and quiet Dacrewas in fact as sincere and good-hearted as the generously impulsive DeWilton. And he warmed to them both; for he had anticipated cold looks, hatred, and jealousy, such as under like conditions he would have metwith on the Continent. 

And as they rode there came a faint hail from the front--and thricerepeated. The track at that point led through a wood and was straightaway for half a mile, then it swung to the left. Just near the turnwere two horsemen; and the rearmost, when he saw his cry had beenheard, waved his hat and gesticulated violently toward the other, whowas several lengths in front. Both were coming at top speed. 

Sir James Dacre puckered his eyes and peered ahead. 

"My sight is rather poor, " he said, "but from yonder fellow's motions, I take it he wants us to stop the other--an escape doubtless. "

Just then the one in the lead shot through a patch of sunlight and bothKnights cried out. 

"A woman!" said De Lacy. 

"The Countess!" exclaimed Dacre. "What may it mean?"

"She went riding with Lord Darby shortly after mid-day, " said Aymer. 

"And that is Darby, " added Dacre, as the sun hit the second horseman. "Pardieu! I do not understand--it cannot be she is fleeing from him. "

They drew rein, and watched the approaching pair. 

"Well, if she is, she is succeeding, " Aymer observed. "She is gainingon him at every jump. St. Denis! how that horse of hers can run!"

"It is Wilda, the bay mare I spoke of. But see, Darby still waves. What in Heaven's name ails the man? Can it be the mare has bolted?"

De Lacy shook his head. "The Countess is making no effort to controlher; the reins are hanging loose. "

Then they heard the first faint beat of the hoofs, growing louder andlouder, and presently with it Darby's cry:

"Stop her! Stop her!"

"Maybe, my lord, " said De Lacy, leaning forward, his eyes intent uponthe Countess; "if the lady wish it she will signal. "

Two hundred yards away now came Wilda running at terrific speed, butstraight and true. Suddenly De Lacy swung Selim around. 

"It is a runaway, " he called to Dacre, "the reins are useless. " Andeven as he said it the Countess told him the same by a motion of herhand. 

A moment more and she swept between them; but beside her went theblack, leap for leap with the bay. Then Aymer saw the trouble--the bithad broken in the bar, tearing the mouth badly, and from eachcheek-strap dangled a useless half, which striking the frightened mareon the muzzle kept driving her to top speed. 

The Countess gave De Lacy a quick smile. 

"I am trying to enjoy it, " she said, "but I think I am dreadfullyfrightened. "

Aymer glanced at the road--it was straight and level for another fourhundred yards, then it disappeared, and he remembered it pitchedsharply forward in a rough and twisting descent. Whatever he did mustbe done quickly--no horse ever foaled could carry its rider down thatdeclivity at such a speed. 

"Death waits yonder, " he said, pointing to the brow of the hill. "Imust lift you to my saddle. Will you risk it?"

She hesitated; then suddenly loosed her foot from the stirrup. 

"I am ready, " she said--and smiled again. 

De Lacy dropped his reins. 

"Closer, Selim, closer, " he commanded. 

The black; drew over until his master's boot was pressing theCountess's saddle girth. 

"When I give the word, " said De Lacy, "free yourself from the pommeland catch me around the neck. "

The Countess nodded. "I understand, " she said, and gave a quick lookforward. The hill was getting very near. 

He reached over and wound his right arm about her slender waist. "Now!" he said sharply. 

For a second the Countess hung in the air between the plunging horses;then the bay shot ahead alone--and she rested safely across De Lacy'ssaddle, his arms about her and hers about his neck. 

Of his own accord the black had instantly slackened speed, and now atthe word he stopped, and the Countess dropped lightly to the ground. 

"How can I ever thank you?" she said, giving Sir Aymer her hand. 

"By not trying to, " he answered, dismounting and kissing her fingersalmost reverently. "Fortune has already blessed me over much. "

She turned to Selim, who was standing quietly beside his master. 

"I may at least thank you, you beauty, " she said, and kissed his softblack muzzle. 

De Lacy smiled. "Never before have I wished I were a horse, " he said. 

A bit of color flashed into her cheeks and she busied herself intwisting into place a roll of ruddy hair that had been shaken from itsfastenings. It took an unusual time, it seemed, and just as shefinished Sir James Dacre rode up. 

"I claim a share in the rescue, " he said gayly, and gave the Countessher hat, that had been lost when she changed horses. Then silently heheld out his hand to De Lacy; and afterward he petted the black andwhispered in his ear. And Selim answered by a playful nip, then rubbedhis nose against his master's palm. 

At that moment Lord Darby dashed up, his horse blown, its sides bloodywith rowelling and flecked with foam. 

"Thank God, Countess, " he exclaimed, "you are not injured. "

"Not so much as scratched, thanks to Sir Aymer de Lacy. "

"Aye, Sir Aymer, it was cleverly done, " said Darby; "a neater rescuemethinks I never saw. "

De Lacy bowed. "Whatever credit there may be, belongs solely toSelim, " he said. "But for his speed and intelligence I had neverreached the Countess. " Then he led the black forward. "And he asksthe honor of carrying her back to Pontefract. "

"Not so, " Darby interrupted; "that is my privilege, " and he swung hisown horse around. 

The Countess was struggling with her hat. 

"But Wilda, " she protested. 

"Is at the castle now, if she made the hill in safety, " said Dacre, watching the scene with the glint of a smile. 

The Countess still hesitated--and Darby stepped confidently forward anddropped his hand to put her up. 

"Come, my lady, " he said. 

De Lacy made no move, nor spoke, but his eyes never left the Countess'sface. And she, if she felt any irritation at the awkward situation sofoolishly forced by Darby, concealed it completely and punished himwith a smiling face. 

"You may put me on Selim, Lord Darby, " she said. "He has carried mepart way home, and since he wishes it he shall carry me all the way. "

Darby's dark face flushed and for a moment he drew back his hand inrefusal--then quickly offered it again. But the delay lost him thefavor; for De Lacy, seeing the opportunity, instantly presented his ownpalm, and the Countess accepted it, and he swung her to his saddle. 

Then she looked at Darby. "If you are very good, " she said, with alittle laugh, "you may put me down at the castle. "

And Darby laughed, too. "But you must give me time, " he replied. "Iam not so nimble as Selim's master. "

And so they made their way back to Pontefract, De Lacy walking besidethe Countess, and Lord Darby and Sir James Dacre following on horsebackjust behind. Wilda had evidently got down the hill unhurt; in the softearth at its foot the deep marks of her running hoofs were veryevident; and a little way from the castle they came upon her, calmlybrowsing beside the track. She had lost her bridle and her fright wasquite gone--for she answered to the Countess's call, and permitted DeLacy to put a strap around her neck and make her captive. 

As they crossed the drawbridge the Duke of Gloucester was standing nearthe gate tower and he called Lord Darby to him--and Dacre offering totake Wilda to the stables, Sir Aymer and the Countess were left to goon alone to the keep. As they drew up at the entrance, and theCountess shifted position in the saddle, she dropped her kerchief; DeLacy secured it and put it in his doublet, then reached up to lift herdown. 

She shook her head. 

"The kerchief first, " she said, with calm finality. 

There was no mistaking the tone, and without a word he gave it to her. She slowly tucked it in her bodice, looking the while toward the gate. 

"I thought Lord Darby was to put me down, " she said, and giving De Lacya dazzling smile--"but if you care to act as his substitute, I supposeyou may. . . Good-bye, Selim. " She gathered up her skirt and movedtoward the steps. On the bottom one she turned. "Do you not think, Sir Aymer, it is about time for you to be presented?" she asked--thenran quickly up the stairs and through the doorway. 

V

THE CAPTURED FAVOR

St. George's day was dropping into night. Since early morning thecastle had been busy in the various ceremonies with which mediaevalEngland observed the feast of her patron Saint; the garrison had beenparaded and inspected; the archers had shot for a gold bugle, and themen-at-arms had striven for a great two-handed sword; there had beenraces on foot and on horseback, and feats of strength and wrestlingbouts; and the Duke himself had presided at the sports and distributedthe prizes. 

It was almost sundown when the last contest was over and the greatcrowd of spectators that had congregated within the outer bailey beganto disperse. Richard had dismissed his attendants, with the exceptionof Ratcliffe, and leaning on the latter's arm he sauntered slowlyacross the stone-paved courtyard toward the keep. 

"Methinks, " said De Wilton, as he and De Lacy followed at somedistance, "that the order we have so long expected must come to-morrow. And I, for one, shall be well content; it is many a long day since Isaw London. "

"Why so certain of to-morrow?" De Lacy asked. 

"Because if His Grace intend to be present at the coronation, he maydally here no longer. . . Say you not so, Dacre?" as the latter joinedthem. 

"Verily, yes, " said Dacre, "and I have already directed my squire toprepare for the journey. Marry! it will be a joyous time in London. "

"It is long since there was a peaceful crowning in fair England, "observed De Lacy, "and I shall be glad indeed to see the pomp. "

"It may not equal the splendors you have seen in France, " remarkedDacre, "but there will be a goodly show nevertheless; something ratherbrighter than Yorkshire hills or Scottish heather. "

"I have no quarrel with the heather, " replied De Wilton, "but the hillsare . . . Well, not--so soft as the cheeks and eyes of the dames of theCourt. "

"In sooth, " said De Lacy, "I am with you in that. To me a pretty facewas ever more attractive than a granite crag. "

"Both are handy in their places, " said Dacre with a shrug. "Yet, Pasque Dieu! of the two it were not hard to choose the trustier. "

"Go to!" exclaimed De Wilton; "it was not a gallant speech. You willhave to mend your mind in London. "

"Nay, Sir Ralph, my words, perhaps, but scarce my mind. "

"It is the same thing there, " De Wilton laughed. 

At that moment the Master of Horse suddenly left the Duke and turnedtoward the stables. 

"Busk yourselves for the road, fair sirs, " he called, as he passed. "We march after matins to-morrow. "

The news spread like the wind through the castle, but it occasionedneither confusion nor even bustle. The personal following of Richardof Gloucester were selected from veteran soldiers who were ever ready. They had but to don harness and mount horse when the route was sounded;and they could have ridden across the drawbridge at sundown, just asreadily as the next morning. 

In the antechamber that evening there was much discussion by theyounger Knights as to the Duke's probable course; would he head theNobility; would he aim for the Protectorship; would he remain quiescentand let the Woodvilles control? Those older in his service, however, were content to bide patiently the future, for long since had theylearned the folly of trying to forecast the purposes of their silentleader. 

And Sir Ralph de Wilton and Sir Henry de Vivonne were hot in theargument when Sir James Dacre arose and clapped De Lacy on the shoulder. 

"Come along, " he said. "These two gentlemen are vastly entertaining, doubtless, but I am for the presence chamber to make my adieux. "

The Lady Mary Percy was reading aloud Chaucer's "Knight's Tale" whenthey were announced, but she quickly laid aside the heavy tome, and theDuchess paused in her embroidery and greeted them with a smile. 

"I have seen nothing of you since you saved the Countess, " she said, giving each a hand to kiss, "and I owe you both a heavy payment. "

"And which, then, does Your Grace rate the higher: the Countess or herhat?" Dacre asked. 

"I do not quite understand, " said she. 

"Sir Aymer de Lacy saved the Countess, and I saved the hat, " heexplained. 

"And what did Lord Darby save?" the Lady Mary asked pertly. 

Dacre smiled placidly. 

"Nothing--not even his temper; the Countess saved that for him, " heanswered; and every one laughed--even the Duchess; though she shook herhead at him, the while, in mock reproof. 

"That forfeits your share of the reward, " she said; then turned to DeLacy. "Some time, Sir Aymer, I must have a gallop beside the wonderfulSelim. "

De Lacy bowed low. "Why not on him?" he asked. 

"Well, perhaps--when we all are together again. "

"In London--or at Windsor?"

A faint shade of concern came into her eyes, and De Lacy's thoughtsinstantly recurred to the scene in the Duke's chamber the day hearrived. 

"At Windsor, let us hope; the roads are charming there, " she said, andthen she resumed her embroidery. 

"Be seated, sirs, " she commanded. 

"Come hither, Sir Aymer de Lacy, " called the Lady Mary, who was sittingbeside the Countess of Clare. . . "It just occurred to me to-day thatI heard of you a year or so ago from a friend in France. "

"It seems to me, " said De Lacy, taking the low stool at her feet, "thatI have a sure quarrel with your memory, either because it is laggard orbecause it is not. "

"And which do you think it is?" she asked. 

"I might guess the better if I knew your friend's name. "

"Marie. "

"Half the women of France are Maries. "

"You were then at Blois. "

"At the Court, you mean?"

She nodded. "And but lately returned from an expedition into Navarre. "

De Lacy shook his head. "I cannot guess. "

She gave him a knowing smile. "Who of the Princess Margaret's maids, think you, it might have been?"

"It might have been any one of three, " he said, "but I will guessMademoiselle d'Artois. "

"At last! At last! . . . How rapidly your mind works under pressure. I wonder, sir, if you will remember us so promptly a year hence. "

"Suppose we wait and see, " De Lacy answered, and tried to catch theCountess' eye, but failed. Indeed, save for a quick smile of greetingwhen he joined them, she had given him not a single glance, but hadkept her head bent over her needle. 

Lady Mary drew down her pretty mouth. "If you can forget Maried'Artois so soon, what chance have we?" she asked. 

"But I have not forgotten her; we were quite too good friends for that. "

"And she was quite too fascinating, " the Lady Mary laughed. 

"Aye, and quite too beautiful. "

"Goodness, Beatrix, listen to the man, " she exclaimed. "He has the badtaste to praise one woman, to another. "

The Countess looked up. "Sir Aymer was lauding Mademoiselle d'Artoisto me, last night, " she said. 

"Can it be, Lady Mary, " De Lacy asked, "you do not know that two monthssince, Marie d'Artois was wedded to the Duc de Boiselle?"

For a moment Lady Mary was taken aback; then she laughed gayly andarose. 

"I will leave you to discuss the other two Maries, " she said, and movedaway. . . "Perhaps they, too, are married, " she added, over hershoulder. 

De Lacy looked after her contemplatively. 

"I wonder, " said he, "why the Lady Mary Percy resents my preferring youto her. "

"Do you?" the Countess asked--then held up her hand. "Stop, sir, youmay not answer--I did but jest. "

"And may I not answer . . . In jest?" leaning toward her. 

She shook her head. "No, sir, you may not; and if you attempt it, Ishall leave you instantly. "

"Pardieu!" said he; "you are the most alluringly tantalizing woman Ihave ever known. The evening of the ride you would scarce look at me, but talked with Lord Darby all the time. "

"He was making his farewells; he left the following morning. "

De Lacy laughed. "Two hours of farewells! Doubtless, you weredelegated to receive them for the Household. "

The Countess was busy with her needle. "He seemed to wish it so, " shesaid. 

"And the next evening, when I asked you to walk on the wall, you wellnigh froze me with the chill of your refusal. "

"And will do so again to--Sir Aymer de Lacy. "

"And the following morning, at the first asking, you rode with me forleagues. "

She flashed a smile at him. "And may do the same again. "

"And yet that very evening, when by accident I touched your hand, youturned your back upon me and ignored me for a day. "

"And will do the same again, " she answered calmly. 

"And the next evening you talked with me for hours. "

"And am ready to do the same to-night. You, too, may take yourfarewell of the entire suite through me--unless, of course, you havetired of my foolish vagaries. "

"Methinks I am quite satisfied to be classed with Lord Darby in thematter of farewells; and as for the vagaries, they may be tantalizingbut, believe me, they are far more winning. "

She held up a cautioning finger. 

"I prefer your arraignment to your compliments, " she said. "Methinks Itold you once before of my dislike for flattery. "

"That was to Sir Ralph de Wilton . . . The night you walked with him onthe wall. "

"True, so it was, " she laughed; "but you were there and heard it. "

He casually picked up a skein of silk that had slipped to the floor, but finding her eyes upon him gave it to her straightway. 

"Why not walk now on the ramparts with Sir Ralph?" he asked very lowand earnestly. 

For an instant she seemed to hesitate; then she looked at him and shookher head. 

"I may not, " she said. "I have promised the evening to Sir Aymer deLacy . . . For two hours of farewells. "

But the two hours were very brief, indeed; for almost immediately DeVivonne and De Wilton arrived, and shortly thereafter came Sir RichardRatcliffe and Sir Robert Brackenbury, and the talk became general. Andpresently Richard himself entered; and when he withdrew the Duchesswent with him and the gathering broke up; and De Lacy got no more thana casual word of farewell from the Countess. 

In the morning all was activity. The bailey resounded with the stampof hoofs, the neighing of horses, and the rattle of armor, as the threehundred and more men-at-arms assembled before the keep, awaiting theorder to fall in. The under officers stood apart conversing, butglancing, ever and anon, toward the main stairway in anticipation ofthe coming of the Duke or one of his suite. Presently the dark face ofRatcliffe appeared at the door; and after a quick glance about he wavedhis hand. Instantly the blare of the trumpet lifted every man intosaddle; and in another moment, that which seemed but a confused masshad disentangled itself and swung into a square of glittering steel, over which the morning sunbeams rippled in waves of silver as thehorses moved in restlessness. 

De Lacy was standing before the entrance, watching the soldiery, when apage hurriedly summoned him to the Duke. 

He found Gloucester in the lower hall, booted and spurred for the road, and pacing slowly back and forth, his head upon his breast. He wasdressed entirely in black, and his heavy cloak, lined with fur, lay ona near-by bancal. He carried his gauntlets in his right hand, andevery step or two would strike them sharply against the top of his highboot. Catesby, Brackenbury and Ratcliffe were gathered a bit apart, talking in low tones. They glanced up when De Lacy appeared, and as hehalted just within the doorway, waiting for the Duke to address him, Brackenbury spoke:

"My lord, Sir Aymer de Lacy is here. "

Richard wheeled abruptly. "Come hither, " he said, and led the waytoward the window. "Do you know the country or people in the region ofKirkstall Abbey?"

"No, my lord, " said De Lacy. "I have never been north of Pontefract. "

"Then you are the one for the purpose. A dozen men-at-arms have beendetailed for you; take them and proceed direct to Craigston Castle anddeliver to Sir John de Bury this letter. I ride to York to-day andSouth to-morrow. If you hasten, you can rejoin me at Nottingham. Doyou understand?"

"Perfectly, my lord. "

"Then away. Come, gentlemen!" and the Duke walked briskly to thestairway. 

As he came within view of those in the courtyard, there arose a mightyshout that echoed from the walls and keep. Gloucester's calm facerelaxed in a slight smile and he waved his hand in response. Thenscarce touching his foot to the stirrup which Catesby held he leapedinto saddle. The trumpet rang out, and the horsemen, breaking fromsquare into column, filed out of the courtyard and across the outerbailey. 

Gloucester had tarried, meanwhile, to speak a final word to Sir RobertWallingford; and when he had finished, the last clatter of hoofs on thedrawbridge had ceased. As the Constable stepped back with a farewellsalute, Richard's quick eye discerned the face of the Duchess at anupper window. Swinging his charger in a demi-volte, he doffed bonnetand flung her a kiss with his finger tips. 

"_Au revoir, amante_, " he called. 

She smiled sweetly upon him and answered his kiss; then stood watchinghim as he rode rapidly away, followed by his attendant Knights, untilthe dark arch of the distant gateway hid him from her sight. 

A few moments later Sir Aymer de Lacy came riding across the courtyardwith his escort. He had changed his suit of velvet for one of steel;for being ignorant both of the country into which he was about totravel and of what manner of adventure might lie before him, he haddeemed it well to have something more than silken doublet between hisheart and a cloth-yard shaft. His visor was raised, and as he passedthe keep, he looked up at every window. All were deserted, however, and he was about to turn away when, suddenly, a casement swung open andthe Countess of Clare appeared in the stone-framed opening. 

"_Au revoir_, " she cried, and waved her kerchief. 

Then by some mischance the bit of lace slipped from her fingers andfloated slowly downward. She made a quick grasp for it, but it hadsunk beyond her reach. A puff of wind spread it wide and carried itout toward De Lacy. He watched it as it dropped, bringing Selim almostto a stand to keep beneath it, and at length it rested upon hisextended hand. 

"I claim my favor, fair Countess, " he called, and wound it round thecrest of his helmet--then loosened rein and dashed away. 

VI

A WAYSIDE SKIRMISH

For a space Sir Aymer rode alone at the head of the column without evencasting a glance behind or addressing a word to his squire. Presentlythe road forked and turning half around in his saddle, he inquired:"Which leads to Kirkstall Abbey?"

"The straightaway one, my lord; the other would carry you back toWakefield, " said the elderly under-officer, whose hair, where it hadstrayed from under his casquetel, was silvered, and across whoseweather-beaten face, from chin to temple, ran a bright red scar. 

"The battlefield?"

"The same, sir. "

"Ride beside me, " said De Lacy. "Did you fight at Wakefield?"

"I did, fair sir--it was a bloody field. "

"The Duke of York died that day. "

"Aye, sir--I stood not ten feet from him when he fell. He was a braveknight, and our own Gloucester much resembles him in countenance. "

"You have seen many battles, my man?"

"Since the first St. Albans I have missed scarce one. It is a tradethat came into the family with my grandsire's sire. "

"And do your children follow it, as well?"

"Not so, my lord. Raynor Royk has none to succeed him. And by yourleave it is small matter. In a few years there will be but scant workfor my calling in this land. England has seen her last warriorKing--unless------"

"Unless what?" said De Lacy. 

The old retainer glanced shrewdly at his young leader; then answeredwith apparent carelessness. 

"Unless Richard of Gloucester should wear the crown. "

De Lacy looked at him sharply. 

"Small likelihood of that, my man, " said he. "Edward left a goodlyfamily. "

"In truth yes, my lord, " was the answer. "Yet there would be more joyamong the soldiers in the North if Gloucester were our King. "

Doubtless the speech merited rebuke, --it was over near to treason, --butthe man was honest in his devotion to the Duke, and likely meant noparticular disrespect to the young Edward. So De Lacy let it pass, butstraightway changed the subject. 

"Do you know Craigston Castle?" he asked. 

"Most thoroughly. "

"Where is it?"

"On the North bank of the Wharfe, a short three leagues beyondKirkstall Abbey. "

"And the Abbey?"

"Five leagues or more from Pontefract. "

"A proper distance--we can taste the good monks' hospitality and stillmake Craigston before night. Is this the Aire I see shining ahead?"

"The same; the ford is easy. "

De Lacy nodded; and the veteran taking that as his dismissal drew backand resumed his place in the column. 

The nones bell had already sounded some little time when they drew reinbefore the lodge of the great Cistercian Abbey. The gates were closed, but the wicket was open and at it was the rotund face of the brotherwho served as porter. 

"Be so kind, worthy monk, as to say to your superior that a Knight andhis attendants crave refreshment ere they travel further, " said De Lacy. 

"Enter, fair lord, " returned the porter, swinging back the gates. "Bidyour men repair to the buttery yonder, while I conduct your worship tothe holy father. "

They found the Abbot pacing the gravel path between the cloister andthe church, with his chancellor at his side. His cowl was thrown backand the white gown of his Order, which hung full to his feet, wasfastened close to the throat. His face was pale, and the well-cutfeatures and the small hands betokened his gentle birth. He was, possibly, about fifty years of age, but his step and bearing were aseasy as De Lacy's own. 

"_Benedicite_, my son, " said he, as the Knight bent head to theuplifted hand, "you are welcome, and just in time to join us at thenoonday meal. "

"It was to ask refreshment for myself and my men that I halted, andyour reverence has in kindness anticipated me, " said De Lacy. 

The Abbot turned to the porter: "Brother James, " he said, "see that allare provided for and that the horses have a full allowance ofgrain. --And now, there sounds the horn for us. Sir------"

"Aymer de Lacy, " filled in the Knight. 

"A goodly name, my son; and one dear to Yorkshire hereabouts, although, now, near forgotten. Have you seen Pontefract?"

"I quit it but this morning. "

"In sooth!" said the Abbot, with sudden interest. "And is His Grace ofGloucester still in presence there?"

"He left shortly before I did. "

"For London?"

"Nay, methinks I heard he rode to York, " replied De Lacy, who hadlearned enough on the Continent of the ways of churchmen not to tellthem all he knew. 

"To York!" said the Abbot in some surprise. "How many men did he takewith him?"

"I was not present when the Duke departed and I did not see hisfollowing, " returned Aymer. 

The Abbot's keen eyes tried to read behind the answer, but evidentlywithout success, for his next remark was: "I do not recall your face, Sir Aymer, among the many Knights who have traversed these parts. "

"Your memory is entirely trustworthy, " said De Lacy. "I came fromFrance but lately, and have never seen this section until to-day. "

"Fare you not to the coronation?"

"In truth, yes, your reverence; Deo volente. "

"Then must you soon turn bridle; London lies to the South, my son, "said the Abbot, with a smile. 

De Lacy laughed. "Never fear--I shall be there--Deo volente. "

"You have learned the Christian virtue of humility, at all events, "said the priest, as they entered the hall, where the monks were alreadyseated around the long tables, awaiting the coming of the Abbot. Uponhis appearance they all arose and remained standing while theChancellor droned a Latin blessing. Then he took his carved chair atthe smaller table on the dais, with the Knight beside him, and therepast began. During the meal, the Abbot made no effort to obtain hisguest's destination or mission, but discussed matters of generalimport. He, himself, contrary to the usual habits of the monks of hisday, ate but little, and when De Lacy had finished he withdrew with him. 

"You are anxious to be on your way, " he said, "and I will not detainyou. These roads are scarce pleasant after night-fall. "

In the courtyard the men-at-arms were drawn up awaiting the order tomount. 

"Verily, you ride well attended, my son. The roads need not botheryou, " said the Abbot, as he ran his eyes over the array. . . "MethinksI have seen your face before, " looking hard at Raynor Royk. 

"Like as not, your reverence, " said the old retainer calmly; "I am nostranger in Yorkshire. "

At that moment Dauvrey led the Knight's horse forward, and Aymer turnedto the monk before he could address another question to Raynor. 

"I am much beholden, my lord Abbot, for your kindly entertainment and Ihope some day I may requite it. Farewell. "

"Farewell, my son, " returned the monk. "May the peace of the HolyBenedict rest upon you. "

He watched them until the last horseman had clattered through thegateway, then turned away. 

"My mitre on it, they are Gloucester's men, " he muttered. 

When they had quit the Abbey, De Lacy again summoned Raynor Royk andquestioned him regarding the Abbot of Kirkstall. The old soldier, likethe majority of his fellows who made fighting a business, had acontemptuous indifference to the clerical class. A blessing or a cursewas alike of little consequence to men who feared neither God, man, norDevil, and who would as readily strip a sleek priest as a good, fatmerchant. Raynor's words were blunt and to the point. He knew nothingof the Abbot except through the gossip of the camp and guard-room, andthat made him a cadet of a noble family of the South of England, whofor some unknown reason had, in early manhood, suddenly laid aside hissword and shield and assumed Holy Orders. He had been the Abbot ofKirkstall for many years, and it was understood had great power andinfluence in the Church; though he, himself, rarely went beyond thelimits of his own domain. He was, however, regarded as an intriguing, political priest, of Lancastrian inclination, but shrewd enough to trimsuccessfully to whatever faction might be in power. 

Two of the remaining leagues had been covered, and they were within amile or so of the Wharfe when, rounding a sharp turn, they came upon ascene that brought every man's sword from its sheath. The narrow road, at this point, was through a dense forest of oaks and beeches thatcrowded to the very edge of the track and formed an arch over it. Thetrees grew close together, and the branches were so interlocked thatthe sunlight penetrated with difficulty; and though the day was stillfar from spent, yet, here, the shadows had already begun to lengtheninto an early twilight. Some two hundred yards down this road was agroup of figures that swayed, now this way, now that, in the broil ofconflict, while from it came the clash of steel. In the road was thedead body of a horse, and, upon either side of it, lay two men whowould never draw weapon again. The one had been split almost to thenose by a single downright blow, and the other had been pierced throughthe throat by a thrust of the point. 

At a little distance, with his back against a tree and defendinghimself vigorously from the assault of half a dozen men, stood a talland elderly Knight. He was not in armor, except for a light corseletof steel, and already he had been more than once slightly wounded. Hisbonnet had been lost in the melée, and his grey hair was smudged withblood along the temple. Two more men were dead at his feet, and forthe moment the others hesitated to press in and end the fight. Thathuge sword could make short work of at least another pair of thembefore the hands that held it would relax, and the uncertainty as towhich would be the victims stayed their rush. Suddenly the Knightleaped forward, cut down the one nearest him, and was back to the treebefore the others had recovered from their surprise. Then with a roarof anger they flung themselves upon him, and the struggle began anew. In their rage and impetuosity, however, they fought without method, andthe Knight was able for a short interval, by skilful play, to sweepaside their points and to parry their blows. But it forced him tofight wholly on the defensive, and his age and wounds left no doubt asto the ultimate result. His arm grew tired, and the grip on his swordhilt weakened. . . His enemies pressed him closer and closer. . . Ablow got past his guard and pierced his thigh. He had strength foronly one more stroke; and he gathered it for a final rush and balancedhimself for the opportunity. So fierce was the conflict that no onenoticed the approach of De Lacy until, with a shout of "_Au secours_!"he rode down upon them. He had out-stripped all his escort, except hissquire, and even he was several lengths behind. Taken by surprise, theassailants hesitated a moment, and so lost their only opportunity forescape. With a sweep of his long sword he shore a head clean from itsshoulders, another man went down before his horse's rush; and then, swinging in a demi-volte, he split a third through collar-bone and deepinto the breast. Meanwhile, the old Knight had slain one and GilesDauvrey had stopped the flight of another. But one escaped, and he, inthe confusion, had darted into the forest and was quickly lost amid itsshadows. 

"By St. Luke, sir!" said the old Knight, as he leaned heavily on hissword, "your coming was most opportune. My strength was almost spent. "

"It was a gallant fight, " said Aymer. "I feared every instant theywould close ere I could reach you. . . But you are wounded!"

"Nay, they are only scratches and will heal shortly--yet the leg growsheavy and I would best rest it, " and he seated himself on the turf atthe foot of the tree. "This comes of riding in silk instead ofsteel--certes, I am old enough to know better. "

De Lacy dismounted and aided him to examine his wounds. The only oneof any consequence was in the leg; it had been made by a sword thrust;and the point having penetrated only the fleshy part of the thigh, nomaterial damage was inflicted. 

"Were you alone when assaulted?" asked De Lacy, the while he wasbinding a scarf around the injury. 

"Yes--and another piece of childishness. I had despatched my squire ona sudden errand, a short ways back, and had no notion of danger, whenthese rogues suddenly set upon me. I made short work of two of themand would have got through, without difficulty, but for the death of myhorse. They stabbed him, as you see. Then I got my back against thetree and managed to keep them off for a period. The rest you know. And to whom am I so heavily indebted?"

"My name is Aymer de Lacy. "

"By St. Luke! John de Bury is glad that it is to a De Lacy he owes hislife. "

"Are you Sir John de Bury of Craigston Castle?"

"The same--although, but for you I would be of the Kingdom of Spiritsinstead. "

"It would appear that my coming was very timely for us both, " said DeLacy, "for my mission in these parts is with you. "

"With me?" Sir John de Bury exclaimed, struggling to his feet. "Then, if you will let me have a horse, I will ride beside you to thecastle--it is less than half a league distant. "

"One moment, Sir John, " said Aymer. "Did you recognize any of yourassailants?"

"Not one, by St. Luke, " said De Bury. "Some rascally robbers, I fancy;there are enough of them in these parts. "

De Lacy motioned to Raynor. 

"Do you know this carrion?" he asked. 

The veteran dismounted and examined the bodies; turning with his footthose that had fallen face downward. 

"They are strangers to me, my lord, " he said. "I never saw hair ofthem before. But, perchance, this fellow can give you someinformation, " and suddenly stooping, he seized one of the seeming deadmen by the neck and jerked him to his feet. "Answer the Knight, rogue, " he said. "Raynor Royk has seen too many dead bodies to befooled by one that has not a scratch upon it. "

"By St, Denis!" said Do Lacy, "he is the one my good horse knockedover. I clean forgot him. How now, fellow, " he continued sternly, "what mean you by assaulting a Knight upon the King's highway; and whoset you up to such work?"

The man, who had been simulating death, hoping so to escape, regardedDe Lacy with a frown and in sullen silence. 

"Speak, " said Raynor, giving him a shake that made his teeth rattle. 

For answer he suddenly plucked a small dagger from a concealed sheathand, twisting around, struck full and hard at the old soldier's face, which was unprotected by the steel cap. Raynor sprang back and avoidedthe blow, but in so doing he released his hold, and the rogue dashedinstantly for cover. No one was in his way and his escape seemedcertain, for the heavily armed men of De Lacy would have no chance in afoot race with one lightly clad. With two bounds he had reached theline of trees and was almost secure when, like a flash, Giles Dauvreydrew his heavy dagger and hurled it after him. The point struck fullin the centre of the neck and sank deep into flesh and bone. With agurgling cry he plunged forward and lay still--dead before his bodytouched the turf. 

"By St. Peter! a neat throw, Sir Squire, " said Raynor, as he jerked outthe weapon and handed it to Dauvrey. "I mind never to have seen abetter. "

"Toss the other carrion by the roadside, " said De Lacy; "we tarry hereno longer. "

VII

A FAVOR LOST

When De Lacy, armed for the road, sought his host the following morningto say farewell, he found him in an easy chair near the fireplace inthe hall, with his wounded leg resting on a stool, and the answer toGloucester's letter in his hand. The old Knight made as though toarise, but the younger quickly placed his hand upon his shoulder andheld him firm in his seat. 

"Not so, Sir John, " he insisted. "Do you remain quiet; I know the wayto the courtyard. "

"It grieves me sore that you cannot stay with me longer, " said De Bury, allowing himself to be persuaded. "Yet I hope that we shall soon meetagain. Craigston Castle is ever ready to receive you. "

"And it shall have the chance, I assure you, when I am again in theseparts--though our next meeting is likely to be in London; His Gracewill scarce soon return to the North. "

"Mayhap, " replied Sir John; "but for the present, my wound and myduties keep me here. And, to speak truly, I am not unwilling; when youhave reached my age, Sir Aymer, you will care little for the emptysplendor of the Court--and that reminds me: you may meet there myniece, the Countess of Clare, and if you do--verily, you have met her, "as De Lacy smiled, "and have been stricken like the rest. Beware, myson, your corselet is no protection against the shafts of a woman'seyes. "

"In truth, I know it, " De Lacy laughed. "I have met the Countessand . . . It is needless to say more. Yet it was at Pontefract and notat Windsor that I saw her. She is with the Duchess of Gloucester. "

"In sooth! . . . And you are with the Duke of Gloucester, " said DeBury, with a shrewd smile. "It is either fortune most rare or fatemost drear. By St. Luke! I believe the debt has shifted and that youshould thank me for having had the opportunity to save her uncle'slife. Nay, I did but jest, " he added hastily. "You have seen many aface, doubtless, in sunny France fairer far than hers; yet is she verydear to me and winning to my old eyes. Should you see her as you passPontefract--if you return that way--say to her that I am here, and thata short visit from her would be very welcome. "

"It may be that the Duchess has left the castle, " replied Aymer, "butyour message shall reach the Countess. "

"Best deliver it in person, " said Sir John, kindly. 

"Trust me for that, " De Lacy answered--"and now farewell. "

"A most gallant youth, " said De Bury, when Sir Aymer was gone, "and ofthe right fighting stock; yet, if I mistake not, that sweet niece ofmine is likely to make trouble for him. "

The shorter route to London was by Sheffield, but De Lacy chose to goby way of Pontefract. It would, of course, bring him upon the mainhighway between York and London further North than by the Sheffieldroad; yet he took the chance of the Duke being delayed an extra day atYork, in which event he would be able to await him at Doncaster, andjoin him at that place instead of at Nottingham. 

It was still wanting something of noon when the low white walls ofKirkstall glinted before them. De Lacy rode steadily on, however, nodding pleasantly to the porter, who was standing in the gateway, butdeclining his invitation to enter. It was better, he thought, thatAbbot Aldam should have no opportunity to question his men as to theirdestination of yesterday. When they reached the banks of Aire, heordered a short halt; then swinging again into saddle, they splashedthrough the clear waters and breasting the opposite bank resumed themarch at a rapid walk. Presently a body of horsemen hove in sight and, as they approached, De Lacy eyed them carefully. They were less than adozen in number, and though they displayed no banner, yet the sungleamed from steel head-pieces and chamfrons. The man in front, however, was plainly not in armor and his horse was strangely small. Then, as the distance was reduced, the horse became an ass and therider the Abbot of Kirkstall. 

"You travel early, Lord Abbot, " said Aymer, as they met and halted. 

"It is of our calling, my son. Religion knows no night. But you alsomust have risen early--on your way to the Coronation--Deo volente?"with a quizzical smile. 

"As fast as horse will carry me. "

"Perchance you may overtake the Duke of Gloucester; he left Yorkto-day, I believe. "

"He has rather a long start, methinks, for a stern chase, " repliedAymer. 

"Six hundred men move not so quickly as twelve, my son, " said the monk. "Indeed, you might come up with him at Nottingham, " he added carelessly. 

"Peradventure, yes--Deo volente, " wondering how much the Abbot knew ofthe matter and how much was shrewd conjecture. "But will not yourreverence attend the Coronation? There is sure to be a brave array ofchurchmen there. "

"No doubt, " returned the Abbot; "but I care little for such gay scenesor for the intrigues of the Court. A country priest has no trainingfor such traps. However, I trust we shall soon meet again; and, meanwhile, Kirkstall's gates are always open to you. _Pax vobiscum_. "

"Hypocritical liar, " muttered De Lacy, when the two troops had passed. "I would think twice ere I trusted myself in your power if I chanced tobe an obstacle to your schemes. Giles, what think you of yon Abbot?"

"He is much of his kind and I like not the breed, " replied Dauvrey. "Methinks he resembles rather his brethren of Italy than those I haveseen in this land of mist and fog. He has been meddling with us, Iwarrant. "

The Knight laughed. 

"He has shown a most Christian solicitude for us, at all events, " hesaid. 

When De Lacy drew rein before the barbican of Pontefract, there was noneed to wind horn to gain entrance, for the drawbridge was down andLord Darby, with a score of attendants, was just departing. 

"Now what in Satan's name brought him back?" Aymer muttered--though heknew the answer well enough. Then he raised his hand in salute. "Igive you greeting, my lord, " he said. 

And Darby was even less pleased, for he was going and De Lacy wascoming; but he, too, masked his face, and gave the welcome back in kind. 

"Methought you would be with the Duke, " he observed, drawing aside tolet his men pass. 

"And methought you were by now in London, " De Lacy returned. 

Darby smiled at the evasion. "Are you not for the Coronation?" heasked bluntly. 

De Lacy nodded. "Indeed, yes--unless I am untowardly prevented. "

"If you fare further to-day, " said Darby, "I will wait and we can ridetogether to Doncaster--a short delay will be well repaid by yourcompany. "

It was but a play to know if De Lacy intended to stay the night atPontefract, and it got its answer instantly. 

"Your Lordship tempts me sorely, " said Sir Aymer, "but I am obliged toremain here until the morrow. " Then he smiled blandly at him; "it isunfortunate you have already started, " he added. 

Darby's black eyes brightened. 

"Yes, " said he, "it is. "

He glanced quickly toward his escort, which was now at the foot of thehill, and laid his hand upon his bugle, as though to sound therecall--then he gave a mocking laugh. 

"The luck is yours, this toss, " he said; and with a wave of his hand, that might have been as much a menace as a farewell, he spurred away. 

There were no faces at the windows as De Lacy crossed the courtyard, and he despatched a page to acquaint the Countess of Clare of hisarrival and of his desire for a short interview. Presently the boyreturned with the information that the Countess was with the Duchess, and that she could not see him before evening. 

He sought the presence chamber at the usual hour, but it was deserted;and after waiting a short while he was on the point of leaving when thearras suddenly parted and the Countess entered. 

"I am glad to see you, " she said, giving him her hand, "even though youare a laggard and a thief. "

"Why laggard?" De Lacy asked. 

"Because you should be with the Duke and not here. "

"Granted, " said he. "Did you call Lord Darby laggard, too?"

"You will have to ask him; I do not now remember. "

"I passed him at the gate, and from his temper I might guess you calledhim even worse. "

"At least I know I did not dub him thief. " Then she held out her hand. "The kerchief, " she said peremptorily. 

De Lacy slowly drew forth the bit of lace. 

"Rather would I lose a quartering, " he said very gently, "yet, inhonor, I may not keep it against your will. "

"And honor, " said she seriously, as she took the kerchief, "is dearerfar than all our quarterings. . . What brings you back to Pontefract?"

"You, " said De Lacy, smilingly. 

"Of course! but what else?--be serious. "

"I am serious. But for you I would be riding fast and hard after theDuke. I stopped at Pontefract for two purposes; of which, one was todeliver to you a message from that gallant Knight, Sir John de Bury. "

"My uncle!" she exclaimed. "He is in Scotland. "

De Lacy shook his head. "He is now at Craigston Castle, whence I havejust come, and bring you his loving greetings. "

"The dear old man! How is he?"

"As strong as an oak, save for a slight wound. "

"Wounded! How--where?" she demanded, with sharp concern. 

"Only a sword thrust in the thigh, got in a skirmish with some brigandsabout this hour yesterday, " said De Lacy; and told her the story of thefray in detail. 

At the end the Countess arose. 

"I must go now, " she said. "The Duchess will need me; but first, tellme the other purpose that halted you here. "

"The other, " replied De Lacy slowly, "has been accomplished. "

She looked at him questioningly. 

"How so, if it were on my account you tarried?"

Aymer smiled. 

"That I shall leave for you to guess, " he said. 

To his amazement the Countess did not reprove him, but blushed andlooked away. 

He bent eagerly toward her. 

"My lady, " he said, "in all the years I have worn spurs, I have yet toask gage of woman. To-morrow I fare where there may be fightingsenough, as you well know. Grant me, I pray, some token, and let myfirst sword stroke in England be as your Knight. "

"Did you strike no blow yesterday?" she asked. 

"None of which a soldier may be proud--it was but a lot of _canaille_. "

For a moment the Countess looked him steadily in the eyes--thenanswered in those tones of finality from which he knew there lay noappeal. 

"Sir Aymer, you ask for that which no man has ever had from me. Manytimes--and I say it without pride--has it been sought by Knights mostworthy; yet to them all have I ever given nay. Beatrix de Beaumontbestows nor gage nor favor until she plight her troth. "

With a smile, whose sweetness De Lacy long remembered in after days, she gave him her hand, and he bent low over it and touched it to hislips. Then suddenly she whisked it from him and was gone behind thearras. 

VIII

THE INN OF NORTHAMPTON

When De Lacy--now in ordinary riding dress, his armor having beenrelegated to the baggage beasts--reached the main highway the followingmorning, he looked in vain for the dust of Gloucester's column or theglimmer of sun on steel. The road was deserted. Not a traveler was insight, and there being no means of ascertaining if the Duke had passed, he adopted the only safe course and took up the march for London. Presently, upon cresting a hill, they met a pair of Black Friarstrudging slowly along towards York; but little information was obtainedfrom them, for they had not been on the road yesterday, having spentthe last week at a neighboring monastery, which they had quit only thatmorning. It was rumored there, however, that the Duke of Gloucesterhad passed southward the prior day with a great train of attendants. This, at least, was some slight indication, and thanking themcourteously De Lacy jogged on; but it was not until they reachedDoncaster, about noon, that accurate knowledge of the Duke was obtained. 

Halting before the inn of the "Silver Sun, " a ramshackle old house, from over whose door, as proclaiming the character of the place, projected a long pole with a bunch of furze on the end, De Lacy called, "Ho, within!"

The landlord, a big, blear-eyed rogue, much the worse for wear and ale, came shambling out at the summons. His listlessness vanished quicklyenough, however, at sight of the Knight and his following; and bowingto the ground he asked how he might serve them. 

"With food and drink, good fellow, " said De Lacy; "and that rightquickly. "

"Your worship shall be accommodated immediately with what I have, " saidthe man with another bow that almost overbalanced him, "but if it ismeagre, blame the Duke of Gloucester and his men. "

"His Grace has passed?" asked Aymer. 

"God's truth! he has, " said the fellow. "He precedes you by a day. And, saving your lordship, if you travel to the Coronation, methinksyou will have but scant fare along the road. They eat things clean asthey go--but pay good silver for it. "

"How many has the Duke in his train?"

"At least six hundred, I should say. "

"He has doubled his force since he left Pontefract, " observed Aymer tohis squire, as the inn-keeper retired. "And there may be truth in whatthe rogue says--we may find slender provision in the wake of such acolumn. "

"If there be enough for the horses, we can soon overtake them, " saidthe squire; "for the men, it matters little: we all are soldiers. "

De Lacy nodded. "We will push on steadily, and though I know little ofthis country, I fancy we will come up with the Duke by to-morrow night. "

"By your lordship's permission, " said old Raynor Royk respectfully, whohad overheard the conversation, "we shall not see the White Boar bannerthis side Leicester town, and we shall scarce reach there before theevening of the second day from now. "

And the old veteran, as events proved, was correct in his calculation. 

When De Lacy entered Leicester, he hailed the first soldier he chancedupon and was informed that Gloucester lodged at the "White Boar, " nearthe center of the town. It was a large and handsome stone house, withthe second floor of timber overhanging the street; and before it swungthe painted sign: a white boar and a thorn bush, indicating that theplace was named in honor of the Duke. And De Lacy smiled as he thoughthow, to his own knowledge, at least half a dozen inns on the Continenthad been hastily compelled to rechristen themselves when, from somecause or other, the particular individual whose name or arms they borefell suddenly into disgrace. That such might happen in this case, however, never crossed his mind. 

Passing the guards, who knew him and saluted, he entered the house, butwas stopped at once by two strange squires, who informed him that theDuke was at present engaged. But even as they spoke, the inner dooropened and Sir Richard Ratcliffe came out. 

"Welcome back, Sir Aymer, " he exclaimed. "The Duke has inquired foryou. Why were you not announced?"

"I was told he was engaged, " said Aymer. 

"That was because they did not know you were of the Household. Come--"and himself admitted him. 

The Duke was alone, seated before a rough table with his head upon hishand, and he did not stir until De Lacy stood directly before him. Then raising his eyes he fastened them intently upon the young Knight'sface, though without sternness. 

[Illustration: The Duke fastened his eyes upon the young knight's face. ]

"You stopped at Pontefract, " he said. 

"I did, so please you, " replied Aymer promptly. "I could gain butlittle by going farther that evening. "

"And might gain much by staying, " said Gloucester, sententiously. "However, I am glad, since you can give me word of the Duchess. Howfares she?"

"As when you left, my lord. She sent her loving wishes to you. "

Then drawing out De Bury's letter, he presented it without remark. 

Richard read it carefully, and inquired regarding the journey toCraigston Castle. De Lacy narrated briefly the incident of the attackupon Sir John, but detailed at length the conduct of the Abbot ofKirkstall. The Duke, however, seemed more interested in the assaultthan in the priest, and asked particularly concerning the assailants. But on learning that neither De Bury nor the veteran Royk hadrecognized any of them, he dropped the matter with the remark:

"You have profited by your experience on the Continent. Not many wouldhave thought to investigate these seeming outlaws. "

De Lacy thanked the Duke for his words, and after being informed thathe was to lodge at the inn with the rest of the suite, and that themarch would be resumed an hour after daybreak, he withdrew, and havingdismissed the squire with the horses went in search of Dacre or DeWilton. 

It was a brave array that passed out of Leicester that Tuesday morningbehind the royal Duke, and in soldiery fitness, man for man, its likewas not in England. But it was a peculiar march, withal. No flourishof trumpets heralded the advance; no gaudy costumes clothed theattending Knights. The bugles were hushed, save where necessary toconvey an order; the banners were bound in sable; upon every man wasthe badge of mourning; Richard himself was clad in black, and thetrappings of his horse were raven-hued. Not since the great Henry diedat Vincennes, sixty and more years before, had England mourned for aKing; and as they passed along the highway and through the stragglingvillages, the people wondered at the soberly garbed and quiet column, forgetting, for the moment, that Edward the Fourth was sleeping in thechapel of St. George at Windsor and that his successor was not yetcrowned. 

All morning Gloucester rode steadily onward, halting near noon at awayside hostelry for refreshment. The keeper, unnerved at the suddenadvent of such a guest, could only stand and stare at the Duke, forgetting in his amazement even the accustomed bow with which he wouldhave greeted an ordinary wayfarer, until a sharp word from Catesbybrought him to his wits. 

When the meal was almost finished, a sudden commotion arose outside, and the door was opened to admit one whose appearance showed everyevidence of a rapid ride. 

"Speak, " said Richard. 

The messenger saluted. "So please you, my lord, His Majesty will reachNorthampton by four o'clock this afternoon. "

Gloucester nodded; then arose and drew on his gauntlets. 

"Gentlemen, " said he, "we may not dally longer. Order up the horses, Ratcliffe, and let the route be sounded; we must be at Northampton erethe vespers chime. "

"There will be some shrewd tongue play, methinks, and perchance sharpaction this night, " remarked De Wilton to De Lacy as, late in theafternoon, the towers of Northampton lifted before them. "Rivers andGrey are with young Edward--it will be Woodville against Plantagenet, and England for the stakes. "

"A royal game, indeed, " said De Lacy; "yet, surely, Edward's kingdom issecure. "

"Pasque Dieu!" exclaimed De Wilton, "I can answer that better after heis crowned. All that I think now is that the situation is very grave. This meeting in yonder town is big with fate. "

"I fear I am too new to my native land to appreciate the presentsituation, " replied De Lacy; "yet I hope that war may be averted. There has been bloodshed enough in this fair land since the Roses wereplucked. "

"By St. George! my heart is with yours, " returned De Wilton instantly;"yet, mark me, this night will make history for England. If not, thenI mistake the Duke of Gloucester. It is obvious now that, to him, thismeeting is no accident--it was timed for most adroitly. Why did hetarry so long at Pontefract, unless because it were easier to prick theWoodville bubble at Northampton than in London?"

"You know the Prince far better than I, " said De Lacy, "but perchanceyou do not know that with Rivers ride two thousand men. If Gloucesterintended such a course, why did he not bring a larger following? Hewas fully advised of the number of the King's escort. "

"Because it would have aroused instant suspicion and left him norecourse but to force. He has some other plan, I warrant. Yet, shouldit come to blows, Richard himself is equal to a thousand men. "

"Scarce so much as that, I fancy, " said De Lacy, with a laugh. "Nathless, sooner will I ride behind the Boar of Gloucester with sixhundred swords than under the Woodville banner with thrice the number. "

"Well said, by St. George!" De Wilton exclaimed. "No Lancastrianupstart for me. "

"Be not so energetic, Sir Ralph, " said De Lacy, as Ratcliffe, hearingthe words, looked back. "But tell me, I pray, who are these thatapproach?"

"Your eyes are keener than mine, " returned De Wilton, "for I can scarcediscern them at all. Is there any banner displayed?"

"Aye, but I cannot yet distinguish the device. . . . There are atleast fifty of them, and they are riding most marvellously fast. BySt. Denis! they cannot travel far at such a pace. When the sun nextfalls athwart the banner, I will try to make it out. . . There . . . Pardieu! it is a queer bearing: _argent, à la fasce-canton à desire degueules_. Do you know it, or have I not read it aright?"

"Nay, your heraldry is not amiss, " said De Wilton. "It is the red fessand canton of the Woodvilles. Yonder comes Lord Anthony of Scales andRivers. "

"Then the struggle is on, I ween, " remarked De Lacy. "Let us movecloser to the Duke. I would not miss this meeting. "

When the horsemen were a short distance away, they broke from a handgallop into a walk, and then all halted except the two who were infront. Of these, one was a man nearing middle age, of most courtlybearing and noble countenance; while his companion, who resembled himsomewhat, was considerably younger. Meanwhile, Gloucester had keptsteadily on; but when the others dismounted and advanced on foot, heinstantly drew rein, and as Ratcliffe threw himself from the saddle andheld the stirrup he stepped to the ground. 

"Welcome, noble Rivers and Grey!" he exclaimed. "How fares HisMajesty?"

The two men bent over the Duke's hands, and the elder replied: "Fit asa King, and most anxious to greet his great and noble uncle. "

"Not more than is his uncle to greet him, " said Gloucester; and Riversread two meanings in the words. "Therefore, let us proceed; and do youand Sir Richard ride beside me; I have questions by the score to ask. "

Presently, as they neared the gate of the town, Gloucester turned tothe Earl. 

"Where does the King lodge--at the castle?" he asked. 

"His Majesty, " replied Rivers, with a quick glance at the Duke, "has aboy's eagerness to reach London, and insisted upon pushing on as far asStoney Stratford--this afternoon. He had already left Northampton whenwe learned of your approach. A moment more and we also would have beengone, for it found us with foot in stirrup. "

There was a smile on the Duke's lips as he listened to this unexpectednews. 

"I do not wonder at Edward's haste, " he answered lightly. "Who wouldnot be impatient when a crown is waiting for him?--though I regret thatit postpones our meeting till the morrow. "

"You will not follow the King to-night?" asked Rivers quickly. 

"No, I shall lie here if you and Sir Richard will bear me company. Butif you rejoin him, I must perforce go, too--for me now to remain herealone would be discourteous. "

"Your Grace honors us overmuch; we shall stay and gladly, " repliedRivers readily. "Edward has the others of his Household, and can spareus for one night. "

"Marry, yes!" said Richard. "Vaughan and Croft and Worcester's Bishopcan hold him tight enough, else has the Welsh air changed them greatly. "

At the large inn near the market-place the party halted, andGloucester, after a few words aside with Ratcliffe, summoned Catesbyand retired to his room. An hour later he descended and requestedRivers and Grey to join him at the evening meal. 

Scarcely had it begun when down the street came the rattle ofbridle-rings and the click of many hoofs. Rivers glancedapprehensively at the Duke, and then at Grey, and then back again atthe Duke, who was sipping his wine apparently quite oblivious of theapproaching noise. In another moment, at the outer door an imperiousvoice demanded:

"Is His Grace of Gloucester within?"

At the tones, Rivers started and dropped his knife upon his plate; hisbrows contracted slightly and a troubled look dawned in his eyes. 

"Ha, De Lacy, well met!" came the voice again. 

"By St. Denis! my lord, I am glad to see you, " was the response. "Itis a pleasure I had not counted on this side of London. Have you seenthe Duke?"

"I arrived but this moment. Will you take me to him?"

"Assuredly--he is now at supper, but I shall venture to admit you. "

They crossed the outer room, the door opened, and De Lacy steppedwithin and announced:

"The Duke of Buckingham!"

The man who entered was full six feet in height and slender, and borehimself with the easy assurance of one accustomed to respect anddeference. His face was handsome in general outline and effect, thoughthe features were not accordant with one another. Beneath a mass ofruddy hair, a broad, high forehead arched a pair of shifty grey eyesand a large, full nose overhung a mouth of indifferent strength, whilethe whole was gripped by a chin that was a fit complement to theforehead. He paused for an instant, as his glance fell on Gloucester'scompanions, and his surprise was very evident--then he doffed bonnetand came forward. 

"By St. Paul!" exclaimed Richard, rising and extending his hand, "it isso long since I have seen the Duke of Buckingham that it was well toannounce him formally. "

"It is only those with the fame of a Gloucester that require nointroduction, " replied Stafford, with a graceful bow that included alsoRivers and Grey. 

"Come, come, Sir Duke!" said Richard, "this is too much of a familygathering for the turning of compliments. "

"In truth, yes, " returned Buckingham--"a half-brother and three unclesof our King--but, pardieu! where is His Majesty? Methought youtraveled with him, fair brother-in-law. "

"Edward lies to-night at Stoney Stratford, " replied Rivers. 

"Aye, it is unexpected all around, this meeting, it seems, " saidRichard suavely. "And, by St. Paul! a happy chance indeed. Come, Buckingham, the gross chare grow cold; take place and fall to. . . Catesby, tell the cook to sauce another capon and unbrace a mallard. "

In all history there scarce had been a supper party such as this. There, about that table in this humble hostelry, were gathered fournoblemen--three of them the most powerful in all England--who werearrayed against each other as leaders of the two factions that wereplaying for the highest stakes a mortal knows. Every one knew therelative positions of the others (for Rivers naturally judgedGloucester to be against the Woodvilles); that, within a few shortdays, the final move must be made; and that all their gayety andjocosity were hollow, and assumed but as a mask. At that very moment, while they smiled and played at friendship, Rivers and Grey wereconsumed with anxiety at this sudden appearance of Buckingham, theirarch-enemy, and were hating him and Richard with fierce intensity;Buckingham was regarding them with all the fervid resentment the oldNobility had for this upstart family; while Gloucester, with neitherhatred nor resentment in his mind, but with the cool, calm judgmentthat ever rose above the pettiness of personal feeling, was viewingthem only as pawns that hampered his game of statecraft and thereforemust be swept from the board. 

It was near midnight when they quit the table and retired to theirrooms above. Richard dismissed Catesby, who as Chamberlain was waitingfor him, and drawing the rude chair to the many-paned window he openedit, and sat looking out upon the street below. Comparative quiet hadsettled over the town, broken now and then by a noise from the camp, orthe shouts of some roistering soldiers far down the road. Around theinn there was only the tramp of the guards, the rattle of their arms, or the low word of greeting as they met. Presently there came an easyknock upon the door and Buckingham entered and shot the bolt behindhim. Gloucester had turned his head at the first sound, but saidnothing until the Duke was beside him. Then, pointing toward theheavens, he remarked, as he closed the casement:

"It will be a fair day to-morrow. "

"All days are fair for some purposes, " said Buckingham quickly; "andthe sooner the day the fairer to my mind. "

Richard smiled. "Patience, my dear Stafford, patience. It will comesoon enough even for your eagerness, I fancy. Did I not say to-morrowwould be fair?"

"You are pleased to speak in riddles. "

"Not so; you used the riddle and I but spoke in kind. However, triflesaside. Your arrival was well timed; you should have seen Rivers' facewhen he heard your voice; it was worth a Knight's good fee. For thefirst time he began to see how he had blundered. By St. Paul! a childcould have done better. The game is easy now. "

Buckingham looked puzzled. 

"What do you mean, my lord?" he said. "I have been following blindlyyour direction in this affair, and I must admit that the point is veryhazy to me. "

"Do you not see, " said the Duke, "that by remaining here and sendingyoung Edward ahead at my approach, Rivers and Grey have overreachedthemselves completely? In their desire to keep me from the King--forplainly they did not know of your coming--they have separatedthemselves from Edward and his two thousand men; and in so doing havelost both Edward and themselves. "

"Yet the two thousand men are still with Edward, are they not?"Buckingham insisted. "I have three hundred, but methinks even thoughyou ride with twice that number we would be utterly outmatched. "

"Nay, you do not perceive my plan, " said Richard. "It will not benecessary to fight. I could win now with but a hundred men. Wewill------"

At that moment a clear voice came up from the street. Richard listenedan instant and then opened the casement. 

"De Lacy, " he called, "come hither. . . I want you, " he said when theyoung Knight entered, wrapped in his long cloak, "with all possiblesecrecy, to secure all the doors of the inn and bring the keys to me. At any that cannot be locked, post two of my personal retainers withorders to permit no one to depart the place. That done, take fifty menand station them along the road to where it joins the Roman highwaythis side the Ouse. Bid them allow no one to travel southward eresunrise without express authority from me. Act instantly. "

IX

THE ARREST

De Lacy found the landlord dozing beside the chimney in the kitchen. The fire was still smouldering on the hearth, and the big black kettlegave forth an odor of garlic and vegetables that made the air mostfoul. On the floor, in promiscuous confusion, lay various members ofthe establishment, of both sexes, who never even stirred at theKnight's entrance, either because they were too deep in sleep to hearhim or too tired to care if they were trodden upon. Arousing the host, Aymer demanded all the keys of the inn, in the name of the Duke ofGloucester, and before the half-dazed fellow could respond he seizedthe big bunch that hung at his girdle and snapped it free. Bidding himmind his own business and go to sleep, he proceeded to execute hisorders; and then hastened to the house where, by accident, that eveninghe had noticed Raynor Royk was quartered. 

Twenty minutes later he rode out of Northampton and crossed the Nenewith the fifty retainers behind him. To Dauvrey and Raynor Royk, herepeated the Duke's order just as it had been given, deeming it well, if he were incapacitated, that those next in command should know whatto do. Leaving five men on the south bank of the Nene, he droppedbands of four at regular intervals along the road, with instructions topatrol constantly the intervening distances on both sides of them. Theremaining five men he posted at the Roman highway, with orders not toseparate under any circumstances. 

Leaving Raynor in charge of this detail, De Lacy and his squire joggedslowly back toward Northampton. Hanging in an almost cloudless sky, the full moon was lighting up with its brilliant uncertainty thecountry around. The intense calm of the early morning was upon theearth, and there was no sound but the tramp of their horses, varied, atintervals, by the approach of one of the patrols or the passing of asentry post. 

About midway to the Nene the squire's horse picked a stone. It stuckpersistently, and he swore at it under his breath as he tried to freeit. Presently it yielded, and he had raised his arm to hurl it faraway when a sharp word from De Lacy arrested him. They had chanced tohalt in the shadow of a bit of woodland which, at that point, fringedthe east side of the road. To the left, for some distance, the groundwas comparatively clear of timber, and crossing this open space, abouta hundred yards away, were two horsemen. They were riding at a rapidtrot, but over the soft turf they made no sound. 

"There, " said De Lacy, waving his hand. 

The squire swung noiselessly into saddle. 

"Shall we stop them?" he asked. 

"Of course--be ready if they show fight. "

Suddenly Dauvrey's horse threw up his head and whinnied. At the firstquaver, De Lacy touched Selim and rode out into the moonlight towardthe strangers, who had stopped sharply. 

"Good evening, fair sirs, " said he; "you ride late. "

"Not so; we are simply up betimes, " replied one, "and therefore, withyour permission, since we are in some haste, we will wish you a verygood morning and proceed. "

"Nay, be not so precipitate. Whither away, I pray, at such strangehours and over such strange courses?"

"What business is it of yours, " exclaimed he who had first spoken, "whether we come from the clouds? Out of the way, or take theconsequences, " and he flashed forth his sword. 

"You are hardly courteous, " replied Aymer, "and therefore scarce angelsin disguise, even though you prate of the clouds. So if you wish tomeasure blades I shall not balk you. Nathless, " as he slowly freed hisown weapon, "it is a quarrel not of my making. "

"Will you let us pass then?" said the stranger. 

"I never said I would not; I but asked your destination. "

"And I refused to answer--stand aside. "

"Nay, nay! do not get excited, " said De Lacy calmly. "Consider amoment; you ask all and grant nothing. I wish to know whither youride--you wish to ride. It is only a fair exchange. "

"It is very evident that you are seeking a quarrel, " the otherexclaimed; "and by the Holy Saints! you have found it. I shall rideon, and if it be over your carcass, on your head be it. "

"I have seen a few dead bodies in my time, fair sir, " replied Sir Aymerwith a laugh, "but never one that stood upon its head. It is a pitythen I may not see my own. "

The stranger made no reply, but settling himself well in saddle chargedin. De Lacy, without changing position further than to drop the reinsover the saddle bow, so as to leave both hands free to wield his sword, awaited the rush. Saving a thin corselet of steel beneath his doublet, he wore no armor; and as his antagonist was, outwardly at least, entirely unprotected, a single stroke of the heavy weapons would likelydecide the matter. 

For a space, De Lacy contented himself with parrying the blows aimed athim and with blocking the other's advance. Repeatedly he could haveended the fight, but always he forebore. The man was no possible matchfor him, and with soldierly generosity he hesitated either to kill orto wound grievously one who showed so much pluck and grit even when thestruggle was plainly lost. He was waiting the opportunity to disarmhim. 

"Will you not yield?" he asked at last, as again he brushed aside theother's weapon. 

The only answer was a swinging blow that just missed his forehead. 

De Lacy frowned, and his patience began to ebb. For the first time heassumed the offensive. Pressing Selim close, he feinted quickly twice, and catching the other off guard he brought his sword down on thestranger's with a crash. There was a flash of sparks, a sharp ring ofmetal on stones, and of the weapon naught was left but a silver hilt. 

"Yield, " said Aymer sternly, presenting his point at the man's throat. "It is your last chance. "

"I yield, " said the other, hurling the bladeless hilt to the ground. "And may the Devil get the rogue that forged this weapon! And now, fair Knight, --for I see that your spurs are golden, --I will avow mydestination to be London, and I presume I am at liberty to proceed. "

"Nay, I shall have to ask you to bear me company back to Northampton, "said De Lacy kindly. 

"How so! Am I a prisoner?"

"Only until daybreak. "

"It is most unusual--but, so be it. " Then he turned to his companion. "Farewell, James, " he said, "my misfortune need not affect you. I willjoin you in London. "

De Lacy shook his head. "He came with you, and with you he bides. Giles, see to him. "

"Truly, this is a strange proceeding on the King's highway, and withHis Majesty but a few miles distant, " the other exclaimed withincreasing heat. 

"Pardieu! how know you of the King's whereabouts?" said De Lacy, scanning the man's face. "I believe you are from Northampton. "

A shrug of the shoulders was the only answer. 

At that moment the patrol rode up and was about to proceed when SirAymer stopped him. 

"You know this man?" he demanded. 

The soldier came closer; and after a brief glance answered: "He is asquire in the household of Lord Rivers, so please you; I have seen himoften. "

De Lacy smiled. "So that explains your knowledge of the King. Iregret, however, that Rivers' message will not reach Edward to-night. Nathless, I would like to know how you passed the guards thus far. "

"This fellow's statement that I am of Lord Rivers' following does notestablish that I am from him now, " replied the squire. "You, yourself, saw that I struck the highway only at this spot, and that I did notcome from the direction of Northampton. "

"Yet that proves nothing to my mind, except that you thought to avoidthe patrol by a detour and have failed. Come, sir, we will faceNorthward, if you please; enough time has been wasted in profitlessdebate. "

The squire wheeled his horse to the right, as though to comply; thensuddenly driving home the spurs he cleared the road at a bound anddashed back the way he had come. 

"After him!" shouted De Lacy; and leaving Dauvrey to guard the otherprisoner, he and the patrol sped in pursuit. The squire had acted soquickly that he had obtained a lead of at least a hunted feet and Aymerlabored strenuously to overtake him. Being totally ignorant of thecountry, he could rely only on sight to indicate the course; whereasthe other evidently was familiar with the by-paths, and once the firstwas reached would likely, in the uncertain light, be able to elude him. He swore at himself heartily for his carelessness, and with angergrowing hotter at every jump he drew his sword, resolved that therewould be no second escape if, when he got within reach, his order tohalt were not instantly obeyed. Yet, strive as he might, Selim couldnot, in that short distance, come up with the big bay ahead; and as thesquire entered the heavier timber, he looked back and laughedmockingly. But this act of foolish defiance worked his destruction;for at that very instant, his horse stumbled and plunged forward on hisknees, and he, having loosed his thigh grip in turning, was hurledheadlong to the ground and rolled over and over by the impetus. 

"We will see that you play us no more such tricks, " said Aymer. "Bindhim with your sword belt. "

The patrol bent over and tried to put the strap around the man's arms. The body was limp in his grasp. 

"He is unconscious, my lord, " he said. 

"It may be a sham, " said De Lacy, dismounting. . . "Pasque Dieu! yourbelt will not be needed. The man is dead: his neck is broken. . . Itis a graceless thing to do, yet . . . Here, my man, help me carry thebody out into the moonlight yonder . . . Now, search it for aletter--for a letter, mark you, nothing else. "

Kneeling beside it, the soldier did as he was bid, and presently drewforth a bit of parchment. It was without superscription and De Lacybroke the wax. 

"As I thought, " he muttered, as his eyes fell upon the signature; then, letting the moonlight fall full upon the page, he read:

"Vaughan:

"Buckingham joined Gloucester this evening. Grey and I are prisonersin the inn. Send Edward on to London instantly with Croft. Ifnecessary, use force to keep the King, and then mark well the Dukes. Imay not write more; time is precious. I trust in your discretion. 

"Rivers. "

"It will go ill with the Earl when Richard sees these words, " thoughtDe Lacy, as he mounted and returned to the road, where Dauvrey waspatiently standing guard over the other prisoner. 

"Come, Giles, " he said, "secure his bridle rein. We will drop him atthe next guard post, and in the morning he can return and bury thesquire. "

There was the faintest blush of dawn in the eastern sky as De Lacy andDauvrey crossed the Nene and re-entered Northampton. At the inn allwas quiet, and Aymer ascended quickly to Gloucester's room. The Dukewas lying on the bed, fully dressed, and the gown that Catesby hadplaced ready to his hand had not been touched. He greeted the youngKnight with a smile and without rising. 

"Well, Sir Aymer?" he said. 

De Lacy gave him the letter. 

"I took it, " he explained, "from one of Rivers' squires, midway betweenthe Roman road and the Nene. He had followed by-paths and so avoidedthe guards. "

Walking to the single candle that burnt dimly on the table Richard readthe letter carefully. 

"You have done good service for England this night, " he said. "And nowdo you retire and rest; I may need you before many hours. But firstreturn to the landlord his keys; they have served their end. "

An hour later Northampton had thrown off its calm. A thousandsoldiers, retainers of three great nobles, had roused themselves; andto the ordinary bustle of camp life were added the noisy greetings ofthose who, once comrades, had not seen each other for years; or who, strangers until a few hours aback, were now boon companions. Aroundthe inn, however, there was strict order; but whether disturbed by thegeneral confusion, or because their brains were too busy for slumber, the lords were early astir. Yet, whatever worry there may have beenduring the night, it was as well veiled now, as they gathered againaround the table, as when they laughed and gossiped at the same boardthe prior evening. And indeed, doubtless, their minds were actuallyeasier; for Rivers and Grey were believing that their communication hadreached Croft; Buckingham was persuaded that at last his day of triumphwas come; and Gloucester, with Rivers' fatal letter in his pocket, knewthat he had won the first throw in the great game he was playing. 

"When does Your Grace desire to resume the journey?" Rivers asked asthe breakfast was finished. 

"Best start at once. --How say you, Buckingham?" said Richard. 

"The Duke of Gloucester commands here, " replied Stafford with acourtier's suavity. 

"Then let us proceed; it will be more kind to the King in that it willnot detain him unduly. . . I presume he will await us at StoneyStratford?" glancing carelessly at Rivers. 

"I so requested by messenger yesterday, " the Earl answered. 

"You are a model of thoughtfulness, my lord, " said Gloucester with oneof his strange smiles, as he buckled on his sword and led the waytoward the horses. 

Two hours after leaving Northampton the cavalcade, now traveling theRoman road, approached the crossing of the Ouse at the boundary ofBuckinghamshire. Stoney Stratford lay just south of the river. On thenorthern bank of the stream Gloucester drew rein and the column halted. A moment before he had been laughing, apparently in the best of humor. Now his face was stern as stone and his voice pitiless as Fate as, turning to the Earl of Rivers who was riding beside him, he said:

"My lord, before we proceed farther, there are a few matters between usthat require adjustment. "

Rivers' face paled suddenly, and involuntarily he bore so heavily onthe bit that his horse reared high. Taken unawares, his usually facilemind was confused by the abruptness of Richard's words and the calmdetermination plainly foreshadowed in them. Trained by years ofexperience in a Court where intrigue imbrued the very atmosphere, ordinarily he was equal to any emergency. But all his schemes of thepast were as gossamer to the conspiracy in which he was now entangled, and since the previous evening--when the unexpected arrival ofGloucester had hung their whole plot upon his shoulders until he gotthe King to London--the strain on his nerves had been terrific. He hadthought to play the game out in the Capital, not on the lonely bank ofa river in distant Northampton; and it is small wonder that under allthe circumstances Anthony Woodville fell before Richard Plantagenet, whose equal England had known but twice before, in the firstPlantagenet and the first Edward, and knew but twice thereafter, inOliver Cromwell and William of Orange. 

"This is scarce a place for discussion, my Lord Duke, " said Rivers, striving to calm his restive horse. "If, as your words imply, there beaught of controversy between us, it were best to settle it in London. Yonder is Stoney Stratford, and it will not profit the King for us toquarrel here. "

"Methinks, Sir Earl, that I am quite as capable as you of judging whatshall work to Edward's profit, " replied Gloucester curtly; "and Ichoose to settle it here, and not to annoy him with matters too weightyfor his young brain. "

"It is your own profit and not your King's that you seek, " said Rivers. "I decline to hold further discussion or to quarrel with you until Ihave done my duty to my Sovereign and have seen him safe in London. Then I shall be most willing to meet you, with sword, or axe, orlance--and may God defend the right. Come, Grey, we will ride onalone. "

Gloucester had listened with darkening brow, and the gnawing of underlip was ominous; but at the last words he threw his horse in front ofthe Earl's. 

"Ere you depart, my Lord of Scales and Rivers, " he said, and smiledpeculiarly, "you must hear me out. Of your rash speech I shall make noaccount; and you know full well that a Prince of England breaks nolance nor crosses sword save on the field of battle, whereon are allmen equal. But I fain would ask if you expect to meet Edward the Fifthin yonder town?"

"I have already told you that I dispatched a messenger to detain himuntil we arrived, " retorted the Earl hotly. 

"Aye! And later another messenger to hurry him on, " said Richardlaconically. 

"What proof have you for that?" demanded Rivers, reining back. 

"This!" replied the Duke sternly, producing the captured letter. 

"I see nothing but a bit of parchment; yet well I know that it can bemade to tell strange tales for selfish ends. "

"It is parchment, unfortunately for you, my lord, and it tells aselfish tale, " said Gloucester calmly. "It is the letter youdispatched last night to Edward's Chamberlain, but which was taken byone of my good Knights, though your Squire died in its defence. Youknow its contents--and, mayhap, you also begin to know the depth ofyour folly. "

"It is evident that I am in the toils of a plot laid by you and yonderbrother-in-law of mine, " said the Earl with haughty contempt. "Youhave entrapped me; and the deepest folly that I know would be to hopefor justice in such clutches. I am to be sacrificed because, forsooth, I am dangerous to the conspiracy that you have afoot; and well can Iforesee what the conspiracy designs. . . Yet did I flatter youovermuch, my Lord of Buckingham; it is no creature of your brain, thisscheme whose end is treason. You are too vain and empty-headed to beof any service except to aid its execution--and then, later, to be theleading figure at your own. Your sires were overmuch Lancastrian foryou to be trusted by a son of York--after your usefulness is ended. "

Gloucester's stern mouth relaxed in a faint smile, but Buckinghamflushed angrily. 

"By the Holy Saints!" he broke out, "were it not that the very touchwould soil a Stafford's gauntlet, I would lay my hand across yourWoodville mouth. "

"It is passing strange then, if we be so degraded, " said Riversquickly, "that you should have chosen a Woodville for a wife. "

Pushing his horse past Grey, Buckingham leaned forward and would havestruck the Earl had not the calm tones of Gloucester stayed him in thevery act. 

"Hold! Stafford, you forget yourself--and you, Sir Earl, return yourdagger. "

"He shall answer me for those words, " Buckingham exclaimed. 

"I am at your service this very instant, " returned Rivers, doffing hisbonnet and bowing to his charger's neck. 

"This very instant be it, " cried the Duke, springing down and drawingsword. 

Before the last word was spoken, Rivers was off his horse andconfronting Stafford with bared weapon. But ere the blades could clashtogether, Gloucester swung between them and knocked up the Earl's swordwith his own, which he had unsheathed with amazing swiftness. 

"Cease this foolishness, " he said sternly. "Buckingham, you forgetyourself. Ratcliffe, arrest the Earl of Rivers and Sir Richard Grey. "

The Master of Horse rode forward. 

"Your sword, my lord, " he said to Rivers. 

For a moment the Earl hesitated; then hurled it far out into the river. 

"In the name of the King, whose uncle and governor I am, I protest, lord Duke, against this unwarranted and outrageous conduct, " he cried. 

"And I arrest you in the name of that very King, whose uncle andguardian I am, " replied Richard. "Ratcliffe, execute your orders. "

"I must request you to accompany me forthwith, " said Ratcliffecourteously, to the two noblemen. 

Resistance was utterly hopeless, and without a further word the Earlremounted; and Grey taking place beside him they passed slowly towardthe rear. Presently, as they neared the end of the long column, ahundred men detached themselves from the line and fell in behind them. Rivers observed it with a smile, half sad, half cynical. 

"They honor us, at least, in the size of our guard, " he remarked toGrey; then turned to Ratcliffe. "May I inquire our prison, SirRichard?"

"Certainly, my lord; we ride to Pontefract. "

"Whence two of us shall ne'er return, " said the Earl, with calmconviction. "May the Good Christ watch over Edward now. "

X

THE LADY MARY CHANGES BADGES

Five weeks had expired since the _coup d'etat_ at Stoney Stratford andRichard was now Lord Protector of the Realm. Before his dominatingpersonality all overt opposition had crumbled, and with Rivers and Greyin prison, the Queen Dowager in sanctuary at Westminster, and Dorsetand Edward Woodville fled beyond sea the political horizon seemed clearand bright. 

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Gloucester and her Household had come toLondon and were settled at Crosby Hall in Bishopgate Street. When theyneared the Capital, the Duke and a few of his chosen Knights had riddenout into the country to meet them; and Sir Aymer de Lacy had gone gaylyand expectantly, thinking much of a certain fair face with ruddytresses above it. Nor had he been disappointed; and it was herpleasant, half-familiar greeting that lingered in his mind long afterthe words and sweet smile of the Duchess were forgotten. He hadtarried beside the Countess' bridle until the Hall was reached; and asshe seemed quite willing for him to be there, he had been blind to theefforts of others to displace him. With Selim she had been openlydemonstrative, welcoming him with instant affection and leaning overmany times to stroke him softly on the neck or muzzle. Once, as shedid it, she shot a roguish smile at his master, and he had nodded andanswered that again he was wishing he were a horse--whereupon shedeliberately repeated the caress, glancing at him the while, sidelongand banteringly. But when he would have pursued the subject further, she crushed him with a look, and then for the remainder of the rideheld him close to commonplaces. 

And if De Lacy thought to have again the delightful associations andinformal meetings that had obtained at Pontefract, he quickly realizedhis error. There, the Household was relatively small, and life had runalong in easy fashion. He had seen the Countess daily--had walked orridden with her as his duties permitted, and every evening had attendedin the presence chamber and gossiped with her for a while. Those fewdays of unhampered intimacy had let them know each other better thanmonths of London would have done. Lord Darby had been his only activerival, and even he was not there constantly. But in the Capital it wasotherwise. Scores of Knights, young and old, now sought her favor andwere ever in attendance. Indeed half the eligible men at Court wereher suitors, and the feeling among some of the more impetuous hadreached a point where it needed only the flimsiest of excuses for suchan exchange of cartels as would keep the lists at Smithfield busy for aweek. But through it all, the Countess moved with calm courtesy andserene unconcern. She had her favorites, naturally, --and she made nopretense otherwise, --but that reduced not a whit the fervor of theothers. Like the dogs in the dining hall, they took the scraps flungto them, and eagerly awaited more. 

And the Lady Mary Percy gibed sweetly at them all, and at the Countess, too; but she gibed most at Sir Aymer de Lacy. 

"You are a rare wooer, surely, " said she one day, as the Lord of Warebore the Countess off to his barge for a row on the Thames. "You hadyour chance at Pontefract and . . . Yonder she goes! One would neverfancy you were bred in France. "

"Nor that you were really a sweet-tempered and charming demoiselle, "Sir Aymer answered good-naturedly. 

She laughed merrily. "One might think I were jealous of the Countess?"

"Yes . . . Or of the Earl of Ware. "

"Or of all the others who hang about her, " she added. 

De Lacy looked down at her with an amused smile. 

"Methinks Ware is enough, " he said, with calm assertion. 

She tossed her head in quick defiance. "Your penetration, Sir Aymer, is extraordinary--when it concerns others, " she retorted. 

"And when it concerns myself?"

She answered with a shrug. 

He went over and leaned on the casement beside her. 

"Just how stupid am I?" he asked. 

She turned and measured him with slow eyes. "I am not sure it isstupidity, " she remarked; "some might call it modesty. "

He laughed. "And which does the Lady Mary Percy call it?"

"I can tell you better a year hence. "

"Why so long a wait?"

"You will then have won or lost the Countess. "

He shook his head dubiously. 

"How will that decide the matter?" he asked. 

She smiled. "Because only stupidity can lose. "

He looked at her curiously and in silence, a quicker beat at his pulseand she read his thoughts. 

"Oh, I am betraying no confidences, " she said. "Your lady givesnone--save possibly to the Duchess. But I have been of the Householdwith Beatrix for two years and------"

"And . . . What?" he inflected. 

"You can guess the rest--if you are not stupid, " she said, turning away. 

But he stayed her. "My barge is at the landing. Shall we follow . . . The others?" he suggested. 

She hesitated--then, catching up a cloak and scarf that lay on a couch, she nodded acquiescence. 

"Up stream or down?" he asked, as he handed her in and took placebeside her. 

"Up, " she said. 

"Give way, " he ordered, and the eight oars that had been raised high insalute dropped as one, and they shot out into the stream. 

The Lady Mary settled herself among the cushions, one arm throwncarelessly around the awning post. 

"What nonsense it is, " she remarked presently. 

De Lacy nodded. "Doubtless--but what?"

"This foolish dissimulation we all play at; . . . This assumedindifference which deceives no one. Here are we, barging together onthe Thames, when you would rather have the Countess . . . And I wouldrather have Ware. "

"But would they rather have us?"

"I am quite sure she would, and" . . . Holding up a hand and slowlyflashing the rings . . . "I think he would, too. "

"If you happen to know which way they went, " De Lacy laughed, "we mightfollow and suggest an exchange. "

She sat up smartly. "Come, " said she, "come; if you will venture itwith the Countess, I will with Ware. "

He smiled. "I thought you gave me a year wherein to prove mystupidity. "

"But would it be stupidity--might it not be rare brilliancy--a masterstroke?" She flashed the rings again. "Lord Darby would risk it werehe in like case. "

"Nay, Darby is no fool. "

"True enough--yet, neither is he afraid to brave the hazard; he is ahard fighter, in love as well as war. "

"I find no fault with him for that, " De Lacy answered, "so long as hefight fair. "

She gave him a quick glance of interrogation. 

"Would you trust him to fight fair?" she asked. 

"I usually trust every man of noble birth until experience prove himundeserving. "

"And you have had no experience with Darby?"

"No--not yet. "

A sly smile crossed her lips and she was about to comment further, whenLord Ware's barge suddenly swung out from behind a large vessel and metthem. 

"We are going to the Tower, " the Countess called. "Will you not meetus there?"

The rowers backed water instantly, and the two boats drifted slowlypast each other. 

"We will join you very shortly, " Lady Mary answered--then smiled at DeLacy. 

The Earl of Ware looked curiously at the Countess. 

"Now why this sudden notion for the Tower?" he asked, when the bargeshad drawn apart. "But a moment since and you declined to stop thereand preferred to stay afloat. "

"A moment since is far aback with a woman, " the Countess laughed--"norhad I then seen the Lady Mary. "

"Nor the Knight with her, " said Ware sententiously. 

She made no answer, save to look him in the face with calm composure. 

"Who is this De Lacy, " the Earl asked with, a supercilious shrug; "oneof the new nobility?"

A faint smile came into her eyes. 

"New? May be, my lord--the term is but relative--yet _I_ would scarcecall him so: his ancestor came with Norman William and builtPontefract. "

"So . . . One of old Ilbert's stock. Well, even a Ware may not cavilat that blood . . . Though it is passing strange I never heard of himuntil within the week. "

"Strange for him or for you?" she asked. 

"For me, of course--seeing that he has been so much at Court. " Thetone was bantering, yet the sarcasm was deliberately veiled. 

She turned upon him rather sharply. 

"My lord, " said she, "if you would criticise Sir Aymer de Lacy, do not, I pray, make me your confidant. He is my good friend. "

"And you like him . . . Well?" he questioned. 

"Aye, that I do, " she retorted instantly. "It is a pity his sort aregrowing scarce. "

"His sort!" the Earl inflected. "In family, mean you, or in looks?"

"In manners, mainly. "

The Earl shrugged his shoulders. "French training, " he drawled. "There never was one came from that Court but caught you all with hisbow and talk. "

"Perchance, my lord, it has never occurred to you that, save in him shewed, a woman cares only for a man's manners and his speech. "

"And what does she care for in him she weds?"

"Ask her whom you wed. "

"And what, think you, will the bride of this De Lacy find in himbeneath his bow and speech?"

She turned and looked him in the eyes. 

"An English gentleman--a trusty Knight, " she answered. 

He laughed--and now his air was light and merry. 

"Believe me, my lady, I have no quarrel with your De Lacy, " he said;"I, too, like him well. But I envy him his champion. Marry, how yourapped me with voice and eye. I wonder, would you do the same for me?"

"Yes, for you . . . And the Lady Mary. "

"And why the Lady Mary?" he asked, after a pause. 

"If you do not know, then there is no 'why, '" said she, facing aboutand looking up stream. "However, she is coming and, perchance, cananswer for herself. Shall I ask her . . . Or will you?"

The touching of the boat just inside the St. Thomas Gate saved him ananswer. Giving the Countess his hand he aided her to alight, andalmost immediately De Lacy's barge ran in; and, he and Lady Marydisembarking, the four sauntered across the vast courtyard toward theroyal lodge. 

As they turned into one of the shaded walks the Earl of Ware, whochanced to be a pace in advance, suddenly halted and drew aside, hisbonnet doffed, his attitude deeply respectful. 

"The King!" exclaimed De Lacy, and they all fell back. 

A slender, fair-haired boy was coming slowly down the path, one hand onthe neck of a huge mastiff, whose great head was almost on a level withhis shoulder. His dress was rich, but very simple--black velvet andsilk from head to foot, save the jeweled dagger at his hip and the blueribbon of the Garter about his knee. His bearing was wondrous easy, and there was a calm dignity about him most unusual in one so young. It may have been the innate consciousness of his exalted rank thatraised the thirteen-year-old boy to the man, and made his majesty sitso naturally upon him; or it may have been that the resemblance he boreto his imperious father carried with it also that father's haughtyspirit; but, whatever it was, there could be no mistaking that Edwardthe Fifth was a true heir of the Plantagenets, the proudest and bravestfamily that ever sat a throne. 

He was unattended, save by the dog, and as he passed he smiled acourteous greeting. 

"God save Your Majesty!" said the two Knights, bowing with bent knee, while the Countess and Lady Mary curtsied low. 

He turned slightly and smiled at them again, then proceeded on his way, as unruffled as a man of thrice his age. 

"A brave youth, " said Sir Aymer de Lacy, gazing after him. 

"Aye, " the Earl answered, "brave in person and in promise--yet prone tomelancholy, it is said; a queer trait in a child. "

"Inherited?" De Lacy asked. 

Ware shrugged his shoulders. "Doubtless--almost anything could comethrough Jacquetta of Luxembourg. "

Meanwhile the Countess and Lady Mary had gone on together, leavingtheir escorts to follow, and presently they turned toward the wharf. 

"What say you, " the Earl asked as they neared the gate, "what say youto--an exchange of companions?"

"I am willing, " De Lacy answered instantly, thinking of Lady Mary'swords, "and so is------" then he stopped; that was not for him to tellWare, and doubtless she had been only jesting. "Suppose you suggest itto the Lady Mary, " he ended. 

The Earl gave him an amused smile. "Suppose you suggest it to theCountess. "

Then both laughed. 

Ware rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We might suggest it to them bothtogether, " he said. 

"How, for instance?"

"Why . . . Just intimate casually that . . . That . . . That . . . Wewould . . . You know. "

"No, " said Aymer, "I do not. "

Ware pondered a space. "We might put them in the wrong boats--byaccident, of course. "

"And have them get out the instant we get in. "

"Then it passes me, " said the Earl. "I have supplied the idea; it isfor you to execute it. "

De Lacy shook his head. "It is too deep for me; had I a week I mightcontrive a plan. "

"I presume we will go back as we came, " the other commented. "Marry, what a brave pair we are!"

As they reached the landing, their barges, that lay a little way downstream, swung around and came quickly up to the gate. The Earl'sentered first, and as he was about to proffer his hand to the Countessto aid her to embark, the Lady Mary stepped quickly into the boat, andgiving him a smile of bewitching invitation sank languidly among thecushions. For an instant he was taken aback; but, with a sharp glanceat De Lacy, he sprang aboard, and the oars caught the water. 

The Countess watched them as they sped through the gate and away, thenturned to De Lacy with a roguish look and eyes half veiled. 

"It seems, Sir Aymer, it is for you to take me back to the Hall, " shesaid. 

XI

ON CHAPEL GREEN

On the following morning Sir Aymer de Lacy again sought the Tower; butthis time he went alone. The hour was early, yet the place was full oflife; there was to be a state council at nine, and the nobility wereassembling to greet the Lord Protector when he should arrive. Foralthough the young King occupied the royal apartments and was supposedto hold the Court therein, yet, in fact, the real Court was at CrosbyHall, where the Duke resided and whither all those that sought favor orposition were, for the nonce, obliged to bend their steps. 

Indeed, at this time, Richard was, in all but name, the King ofEngland; and on this very day, ere the hour of noon had passed, was thename also to turn toward him, and through the first blood shed by hisnew ambition was he to progress to the foot of the throne, the steps ofwhich were to prove so easy to his feet. 

Just in front of the Wakefield Tower De Lacy came upon Sir RobertBrackenbury, now Constable of the Fortress, and paused for a word withhim. Then sauntering slowly toward the Chapel, he took possession of abench from which he could observe those who crossed the courtyardbetween the St. Thomas Gate and the White Tower. A moment later, SirRalph de Wilton came swinging along the walk and De Lacy hailed him. 

"Tarry with me till the Council has gathered, " he said. "Here cometheir reverences of York and Ely. "

Scarcely had the churchmen entered the White Tower, when along the samepath came two others, bound also for the council chamber. 

The one on the right, the Garter about his knee, with the keen, greyeyes, sharp, clear, Norman features, and well-knit, active frame, wasWilliam, Lord Hastings; gallant knight, brave warrior, wise counsellorand chosen friend of the mighty Edward. His long gown and doublet wereof brilliant green velvet, with silk trunks and hose to match; hisbushy brown hair was perfumed and dressed with exquisite care; from hisbonnet of black velvet trailed a long white ostrich plume pinned bythree huge rubies; at the richly chased gold belt dangled a dagger, thescabbard and hilt glistening with jewels, and his fingers flashed withmany rings. It was the typical costume of a courtier of thePlantagenets--fops in dress and devils in battle. 

His companion was utterly dissimilar. His garments were of soberblack, without ornament or decoration, and no ring shone on hisfingers. His sandy hair was cut rather shorter than was wont, andthere was no mark of helmet wear along the brow or temples. His framewas neither active nor powerful, and his walk was sedate, almost topreciseness. His countenance was peculiar, for in it there was bothcunning and frankness: cunning in the eyes, frankness in the mouth andchin; a face, withal, that would bear constant watching, and thatcontained scarce a trace of virility--only a keen selfishness and acrafty faithlessness. And of a verity, if ever a human visage revealedtruly the soul within, this one did; for a more scheming sycophant, vacillating knave and despicable traitor than Thomas, Lord Stanley, England had not seen since the villain John died at Newark. 

"A powerful pair, " said De Wilton, "yet a strange companionship--onerather of accident than design, I fancy. There is little in either toattract the other, nor is it any secret that the Lord Chamberlain doesnot love the fickle Stanley. "

"No more does Stanley love him, nor any living creature, for the matterof that, " said Sir Aymer. "It passes me why the Lord Protector trustshim. "

"Pardieu!" exclaimed De Wilton, "the Duke may use him; he will nevertrust him. He knows the truckler of old--the first to greet Warwickwhen he came to lead Henry from the Tower; the loudest for Edward whenBarnet's day was done. "

"Well, mark me, " said De Lacy, with lowered voice, "yonder false lordwill be a troublesome counsellor, even if he be not a faithless baron. I would have none of him. "

"_Bon jour, mes amis_!" Hastings called out in hearty greeting. "Hasthe Protector arrived?"

"No, my lord, " returned De Wilton, as he and De Lacy arose; "he wasengaged, and may be a trifle late for the council. "

"Who has preceded us?" said Stanley; and in contrast to the melodiousvoice of the Lord Chamberlain his tones were like melting ice. 

"Only the Lord Chancellor and the Bishop of Ely. "

"Then, Hastings, we shall have time to discuss further the matter Itouched on a moment since, " said Stanley, making as though to go on. 

"As you will, " Hastings answered indifferently, and without moving, "but believe me, my lord, it will boot little what may be the record. Eleanor and Katharine Neville were sisters, true enough, but Eleanor isdead and you have wed a second time; while Katharine still chatelainesmy castles of Ashby and Calais. The matter has been left to her sweetjudgment, and her wish is my decision. It is quite needless to debatethe subject further. "

Aymer caught the quick look of resentment that flashed throughStanley's eyes, but Hastings missed it, for he had turned and wasgazing toward the royal lodge. 

And Stanley, with that cool indifference to aught but expediency whichcharacterized his whole life, let the curt speech pass, seeminglyunheeded. 

In a moment the Lord Chamberlain said courteously, as though regretfulfor his recent abruptness:

"Well, my lord, shall we proceed? It will be well for the Council tobe assembled when Richard comes. "

"In truth, yes, " said Stanley suavely; and bowing stiffly to the twoyoung Knights, the traitor of Bosworth linked arms with Hastings andwent on toward the White Tower. 

"Did you mark that?" De Wilton queried; "and evidently it was a matterof some moment since Hastings has submitted it to his wife. "

"There are more than royal prerogatives at issue these days, " repliedDe Lacy, "and private grievance may work deep into the greater game. "

"It will be the only way by which the Stanley can be led to bear apart, " said De Wilton sententiously. "He savors more of the shops inthe Cheap yonder than of Castle or Court. "

"And hence the pity that he has such power of rank and wealth behindhim with his new Countess, the Beaufort heiress. "

"Aye--and what is worse, in her and her son lie the last hope ofLancaster. "

"You mean the Earl of Richmond?" said Aymer. "I saw him a year or moreago at the Court of Blois. His appearance gave little promise ofkingly blood or spirit. "

"Nathless, my good friend, our own Duke of Gloucester would give a fewhides of land to have that same Earl safe within these walls. Yorksits not firm on England's throne while the Tudor lives in freedom. "

"It is a shrewd test of Stanley's faith--his step-fathership to thisRichmond, " De Lacy observed. 

"Of a truth, yes; and one that will find him wanting if the trial evercome. Had not His late Majesty died so suddenly, this Margaret wouldhave had a brood of treasons hatched ready for the occasion; and Idoubt not that she and her adherents are, even now, deep in plottingswith the Welsh and France's King. "

"With Stanley's knowledge?"

De Wilton's only answer was a shrug and a jerk of his head toward theriver. 

"Here are two more of the Council, " he remarked; and the Duke ofBuckingham came rapidly up the path in company with Lord Lovel. 

"Are we late or early?" Buckingham called. 

"Late for Stanley and Hastings and their reverences of York and Ely, "said Aymer, "but early for the Lord Protector. "

"Did the Chamberlain and Stanley come together?" Lovel asked. 

"They did, my lord. "

"And their humor?"

"Not the most sympathetic. They were not entirely agreed about somematter the Lord Hastings had submitted to his Countess, and that shehad decided, seemingly, against Stanley's wishes. "

"It is the old matter of the Neville sisters that cropped up even inBonville's time, " said Buckingham. "The more Stanley urges that now, the better it will fit our purpose. Come, let us stimulate the disputeif occasion offer, " and with a sarcastic laugh he turned away. 

"Methinks, my Lord of Buckingham, " observed De Wilton, when he and DeLacy were again alone, "that you will scarce find another Rivers ineither Hastings or Stanley. It requires a master hand to play StoneyStratford twice in six short weeks. "

"No need for another seizure, I fancy, " said De Lacy. "Richard's poweris secure now and the King will be crowned on St. John's Day. "

De Wilton looked at him thoughtfully. "It is strange, Sir Aymer, thatyou, who have lived under The Fell Louis, should not look deeper intothe minds of men. St. John's Day is but nine days hence, yet will Iwager you ten good rose nobles it brings no coronation with it. Iknow"--as De Lacy regarded him incredulously--"that the council has sofixed it--that the ceremonies have been arranged--that the provisionsfor the banquet have been ordered--and that the nobility are gatheringfrom all England, yet none the less will I make the wager. "

De Lacy was silent for a bit. Then he spoke:

"It would be foolish to pretend I do not catch your meaning, but I hadnever faced the matter in that light. In France there may be strife offaction, plottings and intrigues and blood-spilling for position in theState; yet is the Crown ever secure. The struggle is but for placenear the Throne, never for the Throne itself. . . Naturally, Iappreciate our need for a strong King at this crisis. Edward is but achild, and York's grip on the Crown may grow perilously lax, or evenslip entirely. With Gloucester it would be different. His hand is notlikely to loosen if once it grasp the sceptre. I shall not take yourwager. It would be against my own heart. If Richard's aim isEngland's Throne, my poor arm is at his service. "

"Now are you one after my own soul, " exclaimed De Wilton. "Up with theWhite Boar banner! Hurrah for King Richard the Third!"

"But that I knew Sir Aymer de Lacy and Sir Ralph de Wilton to be loyalsubjects of Edward the Fifth, so long as he be King of England, Ishould be obliged to commit you both to yonder tower, " said the stern, calm voice of the Duke of Gloucester behind them. 

Both Knights sprang to their feet and uncovered. De Wilton wasconfused and could make no reply. De Lacy, however, was not so easilydisconcerted and, despite the censure in the words, he felt that theywere not grave offenders. 

"If an honest desire to see the Duke of Gloucester King of England be acrime, " he answered, bowing low, "then we both are guilty. Yet pleadwe in clemency, that we shall follow only where the White Boar leads. "

The severe lines of Richard's mouth relaxed a trifle. 

"Let me caution you, " he said, and the chill was gone from his voice, "talk not treason so publicly; even stones have ears at times. I gonow to the Council; await me here or in the inner chapel. "

"What think you of it?" asked De Wilton. 

"Enough to make me glad I refused your wager; there is somethingbrewing. "

"Whatever it be I hope it will come quickly, " said Sir Ralph with halfa sigh. "This is not like the old days when Edward held his statehere. Many is the time I have seen this great place bright withwomen's faces and ringing with their laughter; the ramparts crowded, and scarce a shady seat but held a fair dame and gallant lover. Whereare now the sweet voices and the swishing gowns? Gone--maybe, forever;Elizabeth is in sanctuary a mile up yonder stream, and Edward is tooyoung to mate at present. "

"Perchance the Duchess of Gloucester may come here and revive it all. "

De Wilton shook his head. "Richard seems to have small love for thisold pile of stone; and besides he ceases to be Lord Protector when theKing is crowned. "

"In truth!" exclaimed De Lacy. "What then will he be?"

"Duke of Gloucester and uncle to His Majesty. "

The two men looked at each other and smiled. 

Neither had observed an elderly Knight in dusty riding dress and longboots hurrying down the courtyard, until he had passed them; then DeLacy sprang up and hastened after. 

"Sir John de Bury, " he called; "stop and speak to a friend. "

The other whirled around. 

"De Lacy!" he exclaimed; "by St. Luke, I am overjoyed to see you, Iseek the Duke--get me an audience at once. "

"Come, " said Aymer, and they hastened to the White Tower. 

Just as they reached the upper landing the door of the great councilchamber opened and Gloucester came out, followed by Buckingham. 

"Ha, De Bury! what brings you in such haste?" Richard demanded. "Whatis amiss in the North?"

"It may be much and it may be little, so please you, " said Sir John, removing his bonnet and bowing slightly. 

"Follow me, " said the Duke, and descending to the second floor theyentered the small room next the chapel, leaving De Lacy on guardwithout. 

Slowly the minutes passed. Once Aymer heard Buckingham's voice raisedas though in sharp argument. Then it ceased abruptly, and he knew thatRichard had silenced him. A little later Stafford laughed, and thistime was joined by De Bury. At length, the door opened and Gloucestercalled him:

"Summon twenty of the guard, " he said. "Lead them hither yourself. "

At the outer door De Lacy came upon Raynor Royk. 

"Twenty of the guard instantly, " he ordered. 

From across the courtyard De Wilton had seen Aymer, and he was alreadysauntering toward him. De Lacy motioned for him to make haste. "Ithas come, " he said, as De Wilton joined him. 

"Oh, has it! Well, it took you long enough to find it, surely. Andmay I ask, what has come?"

"The next move in the Duke's game. "

"In sooth! When--what--how?"

"Now, my dear Sir Ralph. The how is yonder with Raynor Royk. If youwish to know the what, come with me. "

Up the stairway Royk led his men, following close after the twoKnights. On the second landing the Protector was waiting. 

"Now, attend, " he said to De Lacy. "I return to the Council. You willbring the men up very quietly and post them without. The instant Istrike on the table, fling open the door and arrest every man. Do youyourself stand in the passage and stop any that would escape. Let noneuse weapon unless necessary . . . But if an axe were to fall byaccident upon either Stanley or Ely, no punishment would follow, " andhe smiled significantly. 

"I think I understand, " said De Lacy; and Richard, carelessly brushinga bit of dust from his black doublet, turned away. 

Raynor Royk chuckled when he learned the orders. 

"I will attend to Stanley myself, " he said. "My axe arm at times hasan ugly habit of sudden weakness when the weapon is swung high. "

De Lacy nodded. "Get yourself into position, " he replied shortly; for, of a truth, he little liked the business. Yet there might be no delay, and he followed after the soldiers with De Wilton at his side. 

Raynor massed his men before the door and he himself was close againstit with his hand upon the latch. From within came numerous voices;presently these were silent and the Protector spoke in angry tones, though what he said De Lacy could not distinguish. Then a single voicereplied, and De Wilton had scarce time to whisper, "Hastings, " when thesignal came. 

With a crash, Raynor Royk hurled back the heavy door, and the soldiersrushed in. 

Around the long table in the center of the apartment were gathered themembers of the Council, and at its foot stood the Duke of Gloucester, one hand upon his dagger, the other pointing at the Lord Chamberlain. In an instant Hastings was seized by two of the soldiers, and all waswild confusion. 

Lord Stanley, divining some sinister design as Raynor Royk sprangtoward him with upraised weapon, sought safety in a sudden andinglorious dive under the table. Yet quick as he was, the old retainerwas quicker. His heavy axe came down with a sweep, and never morewould the fickle Stanley have played the dastard had not a carved chairarm stayed, for an instant, the weapon's fall. Ere it had shorn itsway through the oak, Stanley was safe from death, though the edgescraped his head glancingly, sending the blood flying and leaving himunconscious on the floor. 

The Bishop of Ely escaped the axe aimed at him by a hurried retreat tothe rear of the room out of the general melée; for he was shrewd enoughinstantly to comprehend that, while there might be fatal danger to himin the crowd, there was but little when he stood aloof: God's Bishopswere not wont to be murdered deliberately in public. Yet it did notsave him from arrest, for Raynor glanced at the Protector, and readingthe order in his face stalked back and clapping Morton on the shouldersaid gruffly: "Come, Lord Bishop. "

The whole affair was over almost as quickly as begun, and the Duke ofGloucester never so much as changed position during the tumult, save tolower the hand that had menaced Hastings. Then, when all thecounsellors were crowded together and surrounded by the soldiers, hespoke quietly, addressing Raynor Royk:

"Commit the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Ely, and Lord Stanley tothe Garden Tower. See that Stanley's hurts be dressed. Release theothers, save the traitor Hastings. Him conduct to the Chapel Green, and let his head be stricken from his fell carcass without delay, savefor absolution if he so desire it. . . Gentlemen, attend me. "

Adjusting his cloak the Protector quitted the apartment and in silencedescended to the courtyard. There he drew his arm within Stafford's, and dismissing the others proceeded slowly toward the royal lodge atthe southeast angle of the fortress. 

"Verily will this day live in England's history, " said De Wilton. "Stoney Stratford was but a game of marteaux beside it. "

"But when ends it?" said De Lacy solemnly. 

"Yonder, on the throne in Westminster, " De Wilton replied, almost in awhisper. 

"Nay, I mean the final end. Methinks I hear the rattle of armor andthe splintering of spears. "

At that moment the file of soldiers emerged from the White Tower withLord Hastings in their midst, walking with the same grace and ease ofcarriage that always distinguished him, his face calm and serene. Ashis eyes fell upon the two younger Knights, who were moving slowlytoward the river gate, he said a word to Raynor Royk, and the columnhalted. Raising his voice, that had rung over so many stricken fields, leading the very flower of York's chivalry, he called:

"Be Lacy! De Wilton! . . . Will you not, " as they hurried to him, "byyour oath of pity and humility, accompany me to the block? It is hardenough, God knows, that one who has both rank and blood should diewithout trial or legal judgment; yet that none but hirelings should bewith me at the end is inhuman beyond measure. Look at yondersycophants, who but an hour ago hung upon my slightest gesture, nowhurrying from me as though I had the plague. "

"Whatever we can do, my lord, " said De Lacy, "pray command. I would wehad power to stay your doom. "

Hastings smiled sadly. "I shall not detain you long. Lead on, my man. "

It was but a step to the Chapel, and seeing that neither block norheadsman was in waiting he shrugged his shoulders and laughedsarcastically:

"Not honored even by the usual participants, " he remarked. "Yon log oftimber and a common axe must serve the purpose. A strange undoing forone who has ridden boot to boot with Edward . . . A Lord Chamberlainand Captain of Calais. "

"My Lord of Hastings!" said Raynor Royk, with doffed bonnet and in avoice so changed from its usual gruffness that De Lacy and De Wiltonboth marked it with surprise, "it grieves me ill that I, who havefollowed the Sable Maunch so oft in battle, should lead you to yourdeath. Yet I may not shirk my duty, as you, great warrior as you are, well know. But if there be aught I can do to aid you, that touches notmine honor (for, my lord, we have what we call honor as well as thosewho wear the yellow spurs), speak but the word. "

Hastings stepped forward and placed his hand upon the old retainer'sshoulder. "My good fellow, " he said gravely, "there are many withgolden spurs who are far less worthy to wear them than are you. Notalways does honor, nay nor chivalry either, dwell beneath the banner orpennon of the Knight. Permit me a word apart with these kind friends. "

For answer, Raynor Royk gave a sharp order and the soldiers drew out ofearshot. 

"Need I say to you, Sir Aymer de Lacy, and you, Sir Ralph de Wilton, "said Hastings, "how deeply I appreciate your great kindness in comingwith me here. Place yourselves in my position and you will know thecomfort you have given me. It would be foolish to say I am willing todie; I love life as well as any man; yet bear me witness that I meet mydoom as becomes a Peer of England. I have but two requests to make ofyou, my friends--for though you both are of Gloucester's Household, yethave you been friends to me this day, as Knight to Knight, for you oweme no obligation. I ask that when yonder deed be done you recall tothe Lord Protector his brother Edward's dying wish that I might lie byhis side in Windsor Chapel. And lastly, I pray you bear to my sweetCountess the assurance of my endless love and adoration. Give her thisring and (pressing it to his lips) say that it bears my dying kiss. Tell her"--and his voice broke, and for the first time in this man'slife tears started to his eyes and trickled down his ruddycheeks--"tell her that my last thought was of her . . . Tell her that Iwish not Heaven save it bring her dear face to me. " He mastered hisemotion. "Farewell, my friends, " extending his hands, and theysilently grasped them, "may God, in His Providence, grant you a kinderdeath than mine. "

Then with placid face and voice he turned to Raynor Royk, who stoodleaning on his axe in evident distress of mind. 

"I am at your service, my good man, " he said. "Dispatch the businessquickly and do not, I pray you, bungle it at the stroke. "

Removing his handsome cloak, he opened his doublet at the neck, andwith quiet dignity walked to the piece of heavy timber that had beenused in repaving the Chapel only the previous day, and which lay acrossthe green. Raynor Royk made a motion, and a tall soldier steppedforth. Hastings knelt as the man stopped beside him and drew back hisdoublet, baring his neck for the blow. 

"Strike true, fellow, " he said, and calmly placed his head upon thetimber's end. 

XII

THE KING'S WORD

From this moment Gloucester moved with no uncertain nor halting stepstoward the object of his ambition. With the death of Hastings wasremoved the only man in England who might have blocked his purposethrough either power or ability; and he and Buckingham were left freeto play out to its end the wonderful game that won a kingdom without asingle disturbance or the drawing of a sword. The moves followed oneanother in bewildering rapidity, yet with such consummate skill, thatwhen in the great chamber of Baynard's Castle the final offer of theCrown was made, and the Lord Protector with seeming diffidence acceptedit on Stafford's urging, it appeared but a natural consequence ofspontaneous events, brought about only by the force of circumstancesand through no deliberate human agency. 

In some of these events Sir Aymer de Lacy was an actor, while in othershe was but a spectator or bore no part at all. From the grimdeath-scene in the Tower he had gone back to Crosby Hall and a longtalk with Sir John de Bury, wherein he learned what had brought the oldKnight so hastily to London and the Lord Chamberlain to the block; andwhich, ere nightfall, was to send Sir Ralph de Wilton galloping back toPontefract, bearing an order constituting the Earl of NorthumberlandLord High Steward, and directing the trial of Rivers, Grey and Vaughanfor the same crime that had proven Hastings' doom: conspiracy againstthe Lord Protector. He had chanced to ride by St. Paul's Cross whileDr. Shaw was in the midst of his sermon on "Bastard slips shall nottake deep root. " He had gone with Buckingham to the Guild Hall twodays later; had listened with strong approval to the speech whereinStafford boldly advocated the setting aside of the young Edward infavor of his uncle; and had lent his own voice to the cry: "KingRichard! King Richard!" He had witnessed the tender at Baynard'sCastle and the halting acceptance by the Duke--had heard the heraldsproclaim the new King in the streets of London--and had seen him ascendthe marble seat at Westminster and begin the reign that promised sobright a future. He had ridden in the cavalcade that accompanied theKing from the Tower on the Saturday preceding the formal coronation, and had formed one of the throng that participated in the gorgeousceremony of that July Sunday, when all the power of England's nobilitypassed from the Palace to the Abbey to honor him who was to be the lastof his Line. 

Never for generations was England to see such a gathering of her Peersand Barons and Churchmen as walked in that procession. There, was thehuge Northumberland, fresh from Pontefract--where but a week aback hehad sent Rivers and his friends to the headsman--now bearing Mercy'spointless sword; Stanley (his peace made by empty words) with the Mace;Suffolk with the Sceptre; Norfolk, Earl Marshal of the Realm, with theCrown; and Richard himself, in purple gown and crimson surcoat; theBishop of Durham on his right and the Bishop of Bath on his left; andbehind him, bearing his train, the Duke of Buckingham. . . And thenthe Queen's attendants: Huntington with her Sceptre; Lisle with the Rodand Dove; Wiltshire with her Crown. She, herself, paler than pearlsand fragile as Venetian glass, yet calm and self-contained, movedslowly in the heavy royal robes; and after her walked Margaret, Countess of Richmond and mother of him who next would wear the crown, the usurping Tudor. 

And then the throne was reached--the music swelled in solemnchorus--the aged Primate raised the crown and placed it on RichardPlantagenet's head--the "Te Deum" rolled out in thunderous tones--and anew King reigned in England. 

It was in the late afternoon of the following day that De Lacy, strolling along Bishopgate Street, chanced upon Sir John de Bury nearthe White Hart Inn, the newest and most popular hostelry in London. 

"By St. Luke, " Sir John exclaimed, "you are a welcome sight. Come anddrink a measure of Burgundy, and I will tell you a bit of news. "

They pushed their way through the motley throng in the main room and, coming upon the landlord, were conducted with many bows and smiles to aretired corner and in a moment the wine was set before them. Sir Johnlifted high the vessel and watched the heavy liquid fall. Then takinga sip he let it run slowly down his throat. 

"Not bad, by half, " he said, smacking his lips with the air of aconnoisseur, and drained his cup at a draught. "What think you of theCoronation?"

"It was a noble spectacle, and a proper act for England. "

"Aye, it was--yet I would that Hastings and not Stanley had borne theMace. "

"And that Stanley had been sent in Hastings' place to Chapel Green?" DeLacy asked. 

"By St. Luke, yes!" said Sir John instantly; then he leaned over andput his hand on Aymer's shoulder--"and truly, it was a gallant thingyou and De Wilton did that mournful morning. Has Gloucester--the King, I mean--said aught to you of it, or has it not reached his ears?"

De Lacy laughed. "He knew it ere he left the Tower, but he found nofault with us. "

"And if I know Richard, he liked you both the better for it. . . Here, fellow, another measure of wine, and see that it be of the samebarrel. . . These rogues need watching else will they serve poorerstuff the second time, as you have likely noticed. "

"Human nature, and innkeepers' nature in particular, does not changebetween Dover and Calais; yet they would hardly do us the discourtesyto think that our heads muddled so easily. "

"Nay, lad, I was but following my motto that it is better to warnbefore the fight than after. "

"Did you warn before the fight in Yorkshire?"

"By St. Luke! there was the fitting moment for the motto, but thevillains would give me no breathing space to speak. And that remindsme: do you recall the smooth-tongued Abbot of Kirkstall?"

"In truth, I do, " said Aymer. "The most inquisitive monk I havechanced upon in many a day. "

"Well, the notion grips me hard that the Abbot Aldam could tell sometales about that little incident, and violate no secret of confessionaleither. There have been strange rumors lately touching his Abbey andthe style of servitors it employs at times. "

"Then we at least decreased their numbers--but one escaped, if Iremember rightly, " Aymer replied. 

"Aye--one; but it is enough. Some day I may chance upon him andthen . . . I shall know the story. "

"Can you recognize the rogue?"

"Instantly. I marked him well, for I had wounded him in the face by athrust he turned but half aside. A short, thick-set, red-haired knave, with a nose as flat as a sword blade. "

"I shall not forget, " said Aymer, "and mayhap I may find the story foryou. But it occurs to me you spoke of a bit of news. "

"By St. Luke, yes! I nigh forgot it, yet it would have matteredlittle. It is only that I ride North two days hence. "

"To Craigston Castle?"

"The same, unless I meet with misadventure on the way. "

"In the guise of a flat-nosed, red-haired knave, " said Aymer with alaugh. 

"A pleasant misadventure, truly! Though, were there any likelihood ofthat, you would best accompany me and save me from the rogue a secondtime. "

"Nay, my lord, an old bird is not caught twice in the same snare. Iscarce fancy you will be surprised a second time, or that he will againventure voluntarily within your reach. "

"Then you may not be persuaded to go with me?"

De Lacy shook his head. "I fear I am not open to persuasion; I couldnot leave the Court at present. "

"It is a pity, " said Sir John, as he flung the score on the table andarose, "for I had thought the Countess of Clare might like to have youwith us. But of course, if the King cannot spare you, there is an endto the matter. "

De Lacy looked at the old Knight quizzically for an instant and thenlaughed frankly. 

"It was not fairly done, Sir John, " he said; "you caught me foul--youasked first, and reasoned only after I was helpless. "

"Well, there is no crime in reconsidering. Will you come?"

"If the King will grant me leave, I shall fare with you. "

"With me or with the Countess?" Sir John laughed. 

Upon leaving De Bury, Sir Aymer de Lacy bent his steps to BaynardCastle, where the King had come that evening. 

At the main door he encountered the Duke of Buckingham in company withSir William Stanley and was passing them with a courteous salutationwhen Stafford caught his arm. 

"Here, De Lacy, " he exclaimed--and Aymer saw he was excited and angry, "you know all the facts! Tell Sir William who is most responsible forthe crowning of Gloucester . . . Who sent him message toPontefract . . . Who joined him at Northampton . . . Who has done allthe open work here in London?"

"Nay, Stafford, " broke in Stanley, "be not so wrathful. Doubtless HisMajesty will be most fair and liberal in the matter. Give him time tofeel his crown. "

"Time!" retorted the other. "Time! He has had time and to spare. AmI not co-heir to De Bohun through Aleanore, Hereford's daughter, andwill Richard of Gloucester think to retake what Henry of Monmouthabjured? By the Lord Omnipotent, let him dare it!"--and with afiercely menacing gesture he stalked into the courtyard, and springingto horse rode noisily away followed by his attendants. 

"His Grace appears a trifle annoyed, " said De Lacy. 

Sir William Stanley shrugged his shoulders. "It would seem so; yet itwere unwise to parade it. However, Buckingham was ever hasty oftemper. "

"Nathless, the question was embarrassing and I would not care to answerit before a Stanley, " Aymer reflected, as he ascended the stairs to thepresence chamber. 

Baynard Castle, though large and roomy for a nobleman's town residence, was not suited to the needs of a monarch, and as the Court was about tomove from Westminster to Windsor, Richard had brought only a few of hisfavorite Knights and personal attendants with him for the short time heintended to tarry in London. When De Lacy entered the Hall, Richardwas not in presence, and lounging at ease on the numerous bancals weresome of the minor officers of the Household. He made his way by themto join a group that was gathered about the Duke of Norfolk, whenimmediately there was a touch upon his arm, and a page summoned him tothe King. 

Richard was standing at an open window that overlooked the courtyard. He turned as De Lacy entered and demanded abruptly:

"What said Buckingham and Stanley yonder?"

Aymer was too used, by this time, to Richard's ways to be surprised, and he repeated the conversation as accurately as his memory held itand without comment. 

The King listened with half-closed eyes, an inscrutable smile upon hislips. 

"It may happen, De Lacy, " he said, "that there will come a time whenyou must choose between Henry Stafford and Richard Plantagenet. "

"Not so, Sire, " Aymer replied. "As against Your Majesty there cannever be a choice for me. "

Richard looked him straight in the eyes. "I believe it, " he said. "Iwould there were more De Lacys. "

Aymer bowed low. "Your Majesty is very gracious; and it encourages meto prefer a request. "

"Say on, sir, " the King said kindly. 

"I would ask a few weeks' leave from Court. "

"Wherefore?"

"To accompany Sir John de Bury to Craigston; and to stop at my owncastle of Gaillard on my return. "

Richard laughed lightly. "It is granted, and may success attend you, "he said. "And by St. Paul! if you win the Countess you shall wed her, else I am not King of England. "

De Lacy blushed like a girl, and the King laughed more heartily. 

"Methinks Sir John is friendly to you, " he added, "and in that you arevery fortunate. But you have rivals in plenty, so watch themcarefully. Remember, I do not make the match, but should you two wishit, none shall make it otherwise. "

"Perchance some day I may remind Your Majesty of those words, " said DeLacy. 

"And shall find me ready to fulfill them, though I bring an army at myback. . . If need be, you are now excused from attendance until youreturn, but report to me to-morrow night; I may have some service foryou on the journey. . . Announce me. "

Swinging back the door, Aymer lifted the arras. 

"The King!" he heralded. 

Instantly quiet reigned and every one sprang to his feet and uncovered. 

"Be seated, gentlemen, " said the King. . . "Ah! Norfolk, a word withyou, " he said, and led the way to a large window in a far corner of theapartment. 

"Well, Howard, " said he, "the break with Stafford nears--though itcomes quicker than I had thought. Were you here when he left me?"

"In sooth, yes, and he was wildly angry. He overtook the youngerStanley at yonder door and his words were high enough to carry back, though not distinguishable. "

"I know their import. De Lacy met him in the courtyard, and wasappealed to to tell who made Gloucester King. "

"The man is a fool or crazy, " the Duke exclaimed; "and thrice so tomake a Stanley his confidant. Methought he would have got a littlewisdom lately by association with Your Majesty. "

"Nay, Stafford has no statecraft in him and can learn none. "

"Yet it would seem he deems himself a second Kingmaker, " the EarlMarshal remarked sententiously. 

"Let him beware then lest he meet a Warwick's death--or one less noble. "

"But, Sire, do you trust entirely this De Lacy if Buckingham growdiscontent? Was he not first vouched for by him?"

"Did you ever hear of a De Lacy untrue to England's King?"

"By the Rood, no! they were ever stanch for him who wore thecrown--even as Howard has been. "

"And I trust De Lacy as I trust Howard, " with the winning smile hecould use so well when he wished. 

The old Peer bent knee and made to kiss the royal hand. 

"Not so, John, " said Richard, raising him; "let that go save whereceremony demand it. Your honest grip makes faith enough forGloucester. "

After some serious consultation Norfolk took his leave, and Richard, passing on to his apartments and to the window that overlooked thecourtyard, watched him ride off to his own abode. Then with seriousface he turned away. 

"Norfolk and Surrey are trustworthy, " he said half aloud, "but who elseof the Peers? . . . By St. Paul! it would seem well to finish Edward'sbusiness of snuffing out the old Nobility. Yet I have no Teuton andTewkesbury to work an opportunity, nor are the Yorkists united behindme. . . It is a hard problem; and the way through is far fromclear. . . Buckingham--the Stanleys--Northumberland--all theirfriends--I trust them not . . . Yet must favor them with power that erelong may work my ruin. . . It has become fashionable in England itwould seem, since the Second Richard's time, to crown a new King erethe old one died. It was so with him of Bordeaux--of Windsor--and myown dear nephew--and pardieu! it may be the same with me. Yet, no! BySt. Paul, no! If that time ever come, there shall be a change in thefashion: when the new King feels his crown, Richard of Gloucester willbe dead. "

XIII

AT ROYAL WINDSOR

But the following day brought a change of plans. The King had heldcouncil with himself during the night; and in the morning there wentforth the word that in late July he would make a royal progress throughhis realm, and in the ancient town of York be crowned a second time. Of this purpose Richard had promptly informed the Queen at Westminster;and the same messenger who bore her answer bore also a letter from theCountess of Clare to Sir John de Bury, advising him that she would notgo North, as had been intended, but would wait and attend Her Majesty;explaining that not only could she thus make the long journey with notrouble to him and with more comfort to herself, but also that she wasmoved by the express desire of the Queen, who was loath to lose her. 

Sir John straightway sought the castle, and De Lacy had small troublein persuading him to remain and ride back to Yorkshire with the King. That evening Aymer informed His Majesty that, on account of the neworders, he would not relinquish for the present his duties as Knight ofthe Body, and Richard smiled comprehendingly, but made no comment. 

Three days later the Court moved to Windsor. On the morning after thearrival there, as De Lacy rounded the front of St. George's Chapel, hecame upon the Queen, attended only by the Countess of Clare. Heuncovered, and with a deep obeisance was passing on when the formeraddressed him. 

"Sir Aymer, " she said, and he halted and bowed low again, "methoughtyou had left us for distant Yorkshire. We are glad the information wasnot sound. --Are we not, Beatrix?" with a sly glance at her companion. 

"Whatever pleases you pleases me, " the Countess answered with a franksmile. 

"And do you know, Sir Aymer, " said the Queen, who was in a happy mood, "that the Countess of Clare had also proposed leaving us for CraigstonCastle . . . And, indeed, upon the very morning you had fixed to go?"

"What rare fortune to have met her on the way, " said Aymer. 

"Greater fortune, think you, than to be with her here at Windsor?"

The Countess looked at her mistress in blank surprise. 

"Could there be greater fortune than to be where Your Majesty is inpresence?" Aymer asked. 

"Where she is in presence at this particular moment, you mean?" takingBeatrix's hand. 

"Your Majesty is hardly fair to Sir Aymer or to me, " said the Countessquickly. "You draw his scanty compliments from him like an arrow froma wound--hurting him all the while. "

The Queen laughed. "If all Sir Aymer's wounds hurt him no more, he islikely to know little pain. "

"I know he is French-bred and a courtier, " Beatrix answered. 

"As you told me once before in Pontefract, " De Lacy observed. 

"And as I am very apt to tell you again when you are presumptuous andflattering. "

"Henceforth I shall be neither. "

"Charming, Sir Aymer, charming . . . If you could. "

"I can. "

"Till you meet another woman. "

"It is not in the other woman that my danger lies. "

Beatrix frowned, and the Queen laughed. 

"The Countess seems to know your failings, Sir Aymer, " she said, "andmay be this is a good time for you to know them, too. Nay, Beatrix, you need not accompany me. . . I am going to the Chapel. Do you takeSir Aymer in hand and bring him out of his French habits, since you donot like them. For my part, I think them very charming. "

"Surely she loves you, " said De Lacy, when the Queen had gone. 

The Countess gave him her shoulder. 

"She takes a queer way to show it then, " she retorted, her foot beatinga tattoo on the stones. 

He smothered a laugh. "Shall we walk?" he asked. 

He got a shrug and a louder tattoo. 

"Since the Queen has left me to your tender mercies, " she said coldly, "I am at your service. "

They walked in silence; he smiling; she stern-eyed and face straight tothe fore. 

"Does it occur to you, my lady, " he said after a while, "that you are abit unjust?"

The small head lifted higher . . . Then presently, with risinginflection: "Unjust--to whom?"

"To the Queen. "

"I am sorry. "

"And unjust to me also. "

No answer--only a faint toss of the ruddy tresses. 

"And to me also, " he repeated. 

She surveyed him ignoringly--and turned away, eyebrows lifted. 

De Lacy smiled and waited. 

Presently she gave him a quick, sidelong glance. He was gazing idlytoward the river. . . Again she looked . . . And again--each time atrifle more deliberately. . . Finally she faced him. 

"You are unusually disagreeable to-day, " she said. 

"I am sorry, " he answered instantly. "I do not wish to be. "

It was so contrary to what she had expected that she halted in sheersurprise. 

"I wonder, " she said musingly. . . "I wonder . . . " then she laughedforgivingly. "Come, let us cease this constant banter. We have beenat it ever since we met, and it profits nothing to our friendship. "

"With all my heart, " he exclaimed, taking her hand and pressing it withlight fingers. 

She drew it away sharply. 

"Do you think that a fitting way to begin?"

"Your pardon, " he said softly; "I fear I did not think. "

She looked at him with quick scrutiny. 

"We islanders are not given to impulse, Sir Aymer, and do not trust itdeeply. I forgive you--but . . . Not again. "

"By St. Denis! I seem to blunder always, " he said sadly. "I pleaseyou in nothing and am ever at fault. "

"You are unjust to yourself, " she protested. "You please me in much, and . . . You ought to know it;" then she blushed. . . "Let us go onthe terrace, " and hurried across. . . "Now talk to me . . . Not aboutme, " she said rather curtly, as she sat down. 

De Lacy was growing used to these swift shifts of humor, these flashesof tenderness, veering instantly to aloofness, and then back to ahalf-confidential camaraderie, that was alluringly delicious, yetirritatingly unsatisfying. At first he had tried to force thesituation to his own liking, --to break through her moods and effect anatmosphere more equable, --but she soon had taught him the folly of it, and never failed to punish when he forgot. This time she, herself, hadbroken through a bit, but that would only make his punishment theheavier. 

At first the conversation was aimless and disconnected. De Lacy let itdrift and the Countess was rather distrait and steered it uncertainly. Presently she took a grip upon herself, and, before he realized it, hewas telling her of the French Court; of Louis the King, whom men called"The Fell, " but who was, he said, the ablest of the Valois, and woulddo much for France--though not by the means then deemed mosthonorable, --being far ahead of his Age. He spoke of the brave, deadSt. Pol, the Constable--after Dunois, the greatest since Du Guesclin'stime. He told her of their palaces . . . Of the life of their women, though he touched but lightly upon its loose gayety . . . Of the cities. . . Of the great domains whereon the noble had the "right of highjustice, the middle and the low, " and indeed up until very lately haddone his own sweet will toward aught but the King, and in many casestoward the King himself. . . And at length he mentioned having seenand met Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, at the Court of Blois. Concerning him the Countess asked many questions, and Aymer answeredthem as best he could. He had not given the Earl much thought, nor hadhe offered him any attentions, for he was regarded as little more thanadventurer--though one with strangely plenty of money; and who wastolerated by the crafty Louis only because he might be useful some timeto play against the Yorkist King of England. 

"Methinks there is more in the Tudor than you credit, " said theCountess. "I have heard much of him, and from one who knows himwell--or did a few years since. He is not a brave Knight or skilledwarrior may be, but he has a certain shrewdness and determination whichwould make him a formidable rival for the Crown, if he were able tomuster a following or had an opportunity to arouse any enthusiasm forhis cause. "

"And from what wise person did you learn all this?" De Lacy asked withan amused smile. 

"From the Countess of Northumberland. "

"And whence comes her knowledge?"

"If you were not new to England you would not ask, " said she. "HenryTudor was for years a prisoner of state in her father's castle ofPembroke. She knows him from daily companionship and should becompetent to judge. Indeed, as the Lady Maude Herbert, it is said shewas betrothed to him. "

"Why did she marry Percy?"

"That, I can only guess. Her father fell at Edgecote; there were sixother sisters . . . And the great Earl came a-wooing. Besides, Richmond was in exile, had lost his patrimony and a price was on hishead. "

"And she never loved him?" De Lacy asked. 

"Nay, that I do not know; but she was very young, and if she did it wasnot likely a lasting passion. She seems happy enough as chatelaine ofTopcliffe. "

"Doubtless--yet, nevertheless, there is another woman in England thanStanley's Countess who may be dangerous to Richard if Henry Tudor everseek an issue with him. "

"You mean the Countess of Northumberland?"

"Aye. Percy wields huge power. He and the Stanleys together couldwell-nigh topple the throne. Lord Stanley no man trusts--and it was aPercy whose treason sent the Second Richard to his doom. "

"Richard of Bordeaux was not Richard of Gloucester, " she argued. 

"In truth, no, but the conditions then were far more favorable to theKing. Believe me, wore I the Crown, these two women would give me moreconcern than all the nobles in my kingdom. "

"What would you do if you _were_ King?" she asked, smiling. 

De Lacy held up his hands. "Do! When I cannot control even one woman, I would make a merry mess with two and a kingdom besides. "

Just then a horn spoke merrily from the courtyard and De Lacy sprang up. 

"Richard is for a ride in Windsor forest and I must away, " he said. "Iwould that you went, too. "

"We do go, " she said. "Let us haste or I shall be late to horse. "

"May I ride with you?" he asked. 

She nodded. "For a little way. "

"Why not all the way?" he persisted. 

"Because the King would object"--it was the flash of tenderness now. 

"Nay, he would be quite satisfied, " De Lacy answered unthinkingly. 

She stopped short. 

"Indeed!" she exclaimed frigidly; "well, I would not;" and turningabruptly, she entered a private passage and disappeared. 

"Now the Devil take my foolish tongue, " Aymer muttered, as the doorclanged behind her. . . Then the horn rang out again, and in vastdisgust and anger he hurried to his room and into riding dress. 

But his haste made him awkward and he lost precious moments; and whenat length he rushed down the stairs and into the courtyard it was tosee Lord Darby swing the Countess of Clare into saddle and dash offbeside her. 

De Lacy swore such a string of good round French oaths that the silentGiles Dauvrey was so startled from his wonted equanimity that for themoment he forgot to mount and follow, but stood watching his master inserious wonder, as Selim raced toward the gate. 

However, anger would not mend the matter and good humor might, so heput on a smiling front. And when he presently neared the Countess andLord Darby he reined close beside her and cantered by with bonnetdoffed. 

"I shall claim your promise presently, " he said, his eyes seeking herface--though he doubted much if she would give it to him. 

But her humor had veered again, and she answered with such a bewitchingsmile he was utterly bewildered, and for a time Selim went whither andhow he listed. 

"May I ask what is the promise?" said Lord Darby. 

The Countess raised her eyebrows in annoyed surprise. 

"I promised to ride with him this morning. "

"The promise is cancelled now. "

"And why, my lord?"

"He was a sluggard at the start. "

She bent forward and put aright a bit of Wilda's mane. 

"Nay, sir, why should you wish him punished, " said she lightly, "sinceit gives you a little of my society?"

He leaned suddenly over and laid his hand upon her arm. 

"Will you not give it to me until the end of life?" he asked earnestly. 

She gazed at him a moment in startled surprise--then laughed merrily. 

"You said that with delightful promptness, my lord, " she exclaimed. "Practice makes one proficient, surely. "

A cold light settled in Darby's eyes, and he straightened in the saddleand faced to the front. 

"If a man be a gallant once, need that condemn his words to disbeliefforever?" he asked. . . "May not even the most confirmed trifler have, some time, an honest passion?"

"Doubtless, yes, " she said, with a shrug of the shapely shoulders. . . "Only . . . "

"Only . . . Only what?"

"Only that it is very rare and its proof requires strong demonstrationand long service. "

"And I am ready to do both, " he said eagerly. 

"Then, one day, my lord, you will bring great joy to some lovingheart, " she replied, looking him calmly in the eyes. 

An awkward silence followed--that was not broken until Sir Aymer camegalloping back. With a familiarly courteous salute he swung Selimaround; and Lord Darby, seizing the opportunity, bowed low to theCountess, and with a menacing glare at De Lacy--who met it with acareless smile--he spurred away. 

The Countess had observed Darby's look and she followed him with afrown . . . And De Lacy wisely kept silent. 

"I am glad you came, " she said presently--then pulled Wilda to a walk. "Let us loiter; since we are late it is small matter when we reach therendezvous. "

"Why reach it at all?" he asked. 

She hesitated. 

"Why not ride?" he persisted. 

She looked at the horses thoughtfully . . . Then shook her head. "Iwould far rather ride, " she said, "but the Queen expects me; dutycalls. "

"St. Denis! I had quite forgot--duty calls me, too. "

But they did not take the horses from their walk, and it was far aftertime when they reached the wide open space in the forest, where theparty had assembled. 

Upon one side were pitched three large silk pavilions; the center oneof red and blue--the colors of the Kingdom; the others, gold andblue--the colors of the House of York. In front and for a wide spacearound on the soft turf were spread the thick carpets of the far East. Before the tents paced two archers of the guard; and stationed at closeintervals around the clearing were a goodly force of those veterans, all of whom had been among the personal retainers of Richard when hewas Duke of Gloucester. 

Not over two score of the Court had been bidden, and these wereclustered before the royal pavilion when De Lacy and the Countess rodeup. A volley of chaff greeted them as he lifted her from the saddle. One suggested that they had lost their way . . . Another that it was ashame to bring in horses so utterly exhausted . . . Another that theymust have stumbled on the Court by accident . . . Another that therewas powder on De Lacy's sleeve. . . And so it went; until Beatrix, insheer desperation, gathered her skirts about her and fled into the tent. 

The Queen was alone, resting on a couch in the inner apartment; but shehad heard the noisy greetings outside and had wondered who were thevictims. Beatrix's entrance and snapping eyes told her; and she mether with a smile of sympathy. 

"Do not mind them, dear, " she said. "They mean nothing and you havebeard a dozen others treated so, under similar circumstances. "

"I know . . . I know . . . Your Majesty, " she replied, with nervousenergy . . . "but it was most annoying . . . And with Sir Aymer. "

"I doubt not he would give much to know that fact, " said the Queen withan amused smile. 

"It is because I fear he does know it that I am so vexed. By my faith, I have made a merry mess of it all through this morning. "

"The merriest mess and the best you could make, my dear girl, "motioning her to a place on the couch, "would be to marry Sir Aymer deLacy. "

The Countess gave a look of startled surprise--then dropped her head. 

"And methinks, " Anne went on, watching her closely, "that you are ofthe same mind. Take your Queen's word, aye, and your King's aswell--for Richard has spoken of it--and quarter the red chevrons withthe silver stag. "

The Countess was slowly tracing figures on the carpet with her ridingwhip; and her mistress pressed on:

"You surely cannot hesitate from doubt of his affection. In a thousandways he shows you that. And certes you have had enough of suitors tobe able to weigh very scrupulously the faith they bring. He loves youhonestly. He is your equal in birth; and though his English title beinferior to yours, he is a Count in France. Why not, my dear Beatrix, be . . . Kind to him?" and she put her arm about her. 

"You are an earnest pleader, my dear mistress, " said the Countess, still busy with the carpet . . . "and, may be, not without cause. . . Sir Aymer is all you aver . . . A braver Knight or truer heart I neverknew. . . And it would be false modesty to pretend I think he does notlove me. I did doubt it until lately, but the doubt has gone now. Were I as sure of myself as I am of him, I would hold him off not amoment longer--he might speak when he chose . . . And the quickestwould not be too quick for me . . . Indeed, sometimes I long for himwith eager heart; yet, when he comes, I grow weak in resolution andfrom very timidity give him only chilly words. "

The Queen drew her a little closer. "I understand, dear, " she said. "It was so with me when my own dear lord came wooing. "

"And how did you . . . Change?" Beatrix asked, and blushed winsomely. 

And Anne blushed, too. "Nay, I do not know. . . One day my heart methis words and all was peace and happiness. "

The Countess sighed. "I wish it might be so with me, " she said, andtears were in her voice; "for lately I have grown very lonely--andafter you, this man comforts me the most. "

"My sweet Beatrix, " said the Queen, "Sir Aymer has you safe enough, "and she put both arms around her and kissed her cheek. 

And so, a moment later, the King found them; and with a smile, halfsympathy and half amusement, he said:

"Methinks, my dear, you and the Countess are wasting sadly your favorson each other. And I am acquainted with many a gallant Knight--but oneespecial--who would give his quarterings to be prisoner to her as youare at this moment. "

Beatrix's cheeks and brow went rosy and in sharp embarrassment she hidher face upon the Queen's shoulder. 

"Pardieu, my dear, " said Richard, "I did not mean to distress you--yetsince I have said it, let me say a little more. As the Queen likesyou, so like I De Lacy, and I have given him these words: 'I make notthe match, but if you two wish it, none shall make it otherwise. ' AndI give them now to you also. Nay, thank me not, " as she arose andcurtsied low; "and while the match would please us well, yet it is ourpleasure to follow your desires. All we need is to know them, and thatin your own good time. " And Richard took her hand and kissed it; thenflung aside the curtains and went out as abruptly as he had entered. 

XIV

THE QUEEN OF ARCHERY

As the King appeared before the pavilion, a bugle rang out, thesoldiers presented halberds, and all talk ceased sharply. 

"My good friends, " said he, "I have brought you here to-day to testyour skill with a weapon that once made an English army the most fearedin all the world. In a word, I am curious to know how steadily you candraw the cord and lay your bodies to the bow. Yonder are the butts, and here the staves and the draw line. It is but a poor one hundredpaces to the nearest clout; and as that will be too beggarly a distancefor you, my lords, you shall use the second. The first has been placedfor the fair dames who are to shoot with you, if they will. "

And taking the hand of the Queen, who had come forth with the Countessof Clare and was standing beside him, he led the way to the near end ofthe clearing where, on a rustic table built of boughs, were piled anassortment of yew staves and arrows of seasoned ash, with cords of deerhide, wrist gloves, baldrics, and all the paraphernalia essential tothe archer's outfit. 

"Let the lots be drawn, " he commanded; and a page came forward with thedisc-bag. 

As soon as De Lacy saw that Beatrix would participate in the contest, he chose with much care a stave best adapted for her wrist, and pickingout a string to correspond and three grey-goose-feather shafts of aproper length and thickness, he brought them to her. 

"Do you not shoot?" she asked. 

"Yes--but with small hope. The French do not run to the long bow, andwhile once I could ring the blanc I am sadly out of practice. "

"Ring it now . . . You can, " she said softly. 

He looked at her hesitatingly. "Tell me, " he said, coming a bitnearer; "tell me . . . Will you be sorry if I fail?"

But the old habit held her and she veered off. "Assuredly . . . Itwould be poor friendship if I were not. " . . . A bowstring twanged andthe crowd applauded. "Come, " she exclaimed, "the match has begun. "

"And is this my answer?" he asked. 

"Yes, Sir Insistent . . . Until the ride back, " and left him. 

The luck of the discs had made the Countess of Clare the last to shoot. When she came forward to the line the butt was dotted over with thefeathered shafts; but the white eye that looked out from their midstwas still unharmed, though the Duchess of Buckingham and Lady Cliftonhad grazed its edge. Beatrix had slipped the arrows through hergirdle, and plucking out one she fitted it to the string with easygrace. Then without pausing to measure the distance she raised thebow, and drawing with the swift but steady motion of the right wristgot only by hard practice, and seemingly without taking aim, she spedthe shaft toward the mark. 

"Bravo!" exclaimed the King, as it quivered in the white. 

Before the word had died, the second arrow rested beside it; and evenas it struck, the string twanged again and the third joined the othersin the blanc. 

"My dear Countess, " said Richard, "I did not know we entertainedanother Monarch. Behold the Queen of Archery! Hail and welcome to ourKingdom and our Court! . . . Gentlemen, have you no knee for HerMajesty?"

Beatrix blushed and curtsied in return, then quickly withdrew to theside of the Queen. 

"Methinks, my lords, " Richard said, "you have got a hard score to best. However, it is but two hundred yards to your target; so let it be thenotch to the string, the string to the ear, and the shaft in the whiteclout yonder. "

As the King had said, the distance was short for rovers. In allregular contests the mark was never under two hundred and twenty paces, and in many districts it was nearer four hundred. Nevertheless, tostrike an object, even at two hundred, that seemed no larger than one'shand is no easy task; and yet, as one after another took his turn, theclout was pierced repeatedly; once by some, and twice by others; butonly the Duke of Buckingham and Sir Aymer de Lacy struck it thrice. Itchanced, however, that one of the latter's arrows landed directly inthe center, on the pin that held the cloth, and this gave him the prize. 

"For one who is half a Frenchman, Sir Aymer, you handle a long bow mostamazing well, " the King remarked. . . "Pardieu! what say you to amatch between the victors?"

A murmur of approval greeted the suggestion. 

"May it please you, my liege, " said De Lacy, "permit me now to yield. I am no match for the Queen of Archery. "

"We will not excuse you . . . Nor, I fancy, will the Countess, " turningtoward her. 

"If Sir Aymer de Lacy will engage to shoot his best and show no favor, I shall not refuse the trial, " she replied, coming forward. 

"By St. Paul!" Richard exclaimed. "I will answer for that . . . Hereis the prize, " and deftly plucking the lace kerchief from her hand hepassed it to a page. "Substitute this for the clout in the fartarget, " he said. 

De Lacy thought she would refuse the contest; but to his surprise shesmiled--though with rather indifferent hauteur. 

"It is hardly fitting, Sire, " she said, choosing an arrow, "that Ishould both contribute the prize and contest for it. "

Then Sir Aymer spoke, bowing low: "May it please Your Majesty, I amyour leal subject, yet I shall not shoot at yonder mark unless theCountess of Clare consent. "

She gave him a grateful look. 

"I thank you, Sir Aymer, for the courtesy, " she said. . . "Shoot andwelcome;" and she stepped to the draw line. 

It may have been that she was careless, or that the scene had made hernervous, for while her first two arrows struck the blanc truly asbefore, the third went a finger's length above it. With a shrug sheturned away, and loosing the string leaned on the long stave, waiting. 

De Lacy had purposed letting her defeat him by a margin so slender asnot to seem intentional, but catching the dark eyes of the King fixedon him with sharp significance, he understood that he was to win if hecould. So he drew with care, and pierced the kerchief thrice. 

De Lacy received the bit of lace from the page and proffered it to theCountess. 

"It is quite destroyed, " he said. "I am sorry. "

She laughed lightly. "You owe me no apologies, and need feel noregret. You won it honestly--and I accept it now as a gift; a guerdonof your prowess and your courtesy. "

He bowed; and as his glance sought the King, the latter nodded, ever solightly, in approval. 

An hour later, after the repast was served, the trumpet gave the signalfor departure. As De Lacy stepped forward to hold the stirrup, Richardwaved him aside, and putting one hand on his horse's wither, vaultedeasily into place. 

"Look to the ladies!" he called; "and do you, Sir Aymer, escort theCountess of Clare. It is meet that the King of the Bow should attendupon his Queen. "

Then dropping his tones, so that they were audible only to De Lacy, hesaid with a familiar earnestness: "And if you do not turn the kerchiefto advantage, you deserve no further aid. "

Reining over beside the Queen, he motioned for the others to follow anddashed off toward Windsor. In a trice they were gone, and, save forthe servants, the Countess and De Lacy were alone. 

She was standing beside Wilda waiting to be put up, and when Aymertried to apologize for the delay, she stopped him. 

"It was no fault of yours, " she said--then added archly, head turnedhalf aside: "and you must blame Richard Plantagenet for being left withme. "

"Blame him?" he exclaimed, lifting her slowly--very slowly--intosaddle. . . "Blame him! . . . Do you think I call it so?" and fell toarranging her skirt, and lingering over it so plainly that the Countesssmiled in unreserved amusement. Yet she did not hurry him. And whenhe had dallied as long as he thought he dared, he stole a quick glanceupward--and she let him see the smile. 

"Am I very clumsy?" he asked, swinging up on Selim. 

She waited until they had left the clearing and the grooms behind themand were among the great tall trees:

"Surely not . . . Only very careful, " she said teasingly. 

He was puzzled at this new mood that had come with the archery andstill tarried--this careless gayety under circumstances which, hitherto, would have made her severe and distant. He was so used tobeing frowned upon, reproved, and held at the point that he was quiteblind to the change it signaled. He bent his eyes on his horse's mane. He thought of the King's words as to the kerchief and longed for a bitof his astute penetration and wonderful tact, that he might solve thisprovoking riddle beside him and lead up to what was beating so fiercelyin his breast. In his perplexity he looked appealingly toward her. 

She was watching him with the same amused smile she had worn since thefixing of the skirt; and was guessing, with womanly intuition, what waspassing in his mind. 

"And forsooth, Sir King of the Bow, " she said--and the smile rippledinto a laugh--"are you so puffed up by your victory that you will notdeign to address me, but must needs hold yourself aloof, even whenthere is none to see your condescension! . . . Perchance even to ridebeside me will compromise your dignity. Proceed. . . Proceed. . . Ican follow; or wait for the grooms or the scullions with the victualcarts. "

And this only increased De Lacy's amazement and indecision. 

"Why do you treat me so?" he demanded. 

"Do you not like my present mood?" she asked. "Yea, verily, that I do!but it is so novel I am bewildered. . . My brain is whirling. . . Youare like a German escutcheon: hard to read aright. "

"Then why try the task?"

"I prefer the task, " he answered. "It may be difficult, yet it has itscompensations. "

"You flatterer, " she exclaimed; and for an instant the smile becamealmost tender. 

"Pardieu! . . . You grow more inexplicable still. . . Yesterday Iwould have been rated sharply for such words and called presumptuousand kindred names. "

"And what of to-day . . . If that were yesterday?"

"To-day! . . . To-day! . . . It has been the mirror of all theyesterdays since the happy one that gave me first sight of you atPontefract; . . . And the later one when, ere I rode back to London, Ibegged a favor--the kerchief you had dropped by accident--and wasdenied. " . . . He drew Selim nearer. . . "To-day I again secured yourkerchief; and though I wished to keep it sorely as I wished before tokeep the other, yet like it, too, I could only give it back. And now, even as I begged before, I beg again for the favor. Will you not grantit?"

The smile faded and her face went serious. 

"Do you not forget the words of that first refusal, " she asked, "that'Beatrix de Beaumont grants neither gage nor favor until she plightsher troth'?"

"Nay, I have not forgotten"--and with sudden hope that made his throatthicken and his fingers chill he reached over and took her hand. 

She did not withdraw it nor reprove him. Instead, she fastened hereyes on his face as though to read his very heart and soul. Unconsciously they had checked their horses. Then she blushed, andaverting her eyes in confusion strove to release her hand. But De Lacypressed on, though his heart beat fast and his head throbbed. Leaningacross, he put his arm about her waist and drew her--strugglinggently--toward him. 

"And the kerchief, dear one?" he whispered. 

"Nay, Aymer, you surely do not wish it now, " she answered brokenly. 

"Now, more than any earthly gift or Heavenly grace. . . Give it to me, sweetheart. "

She had ceased to resist and his face was getting perilously near herown. 

Suddenly, and with a smile De Lacy never forgot, she drew forth the bitof torn lace. "Here, take it, dear, " she said. 

"And you with it, sweetheart?" he cried. 

"Unto death, my lord, " she answered; and once more the blushes came. 

She tried to hide her face in her hands, but with a joyous laugh Aymerlifted her from the saddle and swung her across and into his strongarms. 

XV

THE FROWN OF FATE

It was the Countess' wish that the betrothal should remain secret for thepresent, and therefore none but Their Majesties and Sir John de Bury wereacquainted with it. The old Knight, when approached by De Lacy on thesubject, had clapped him heartily on the shoulder. 

"Take her, lad, " he exclaimed; "and be worthy, even as I think you will. The King, himself, has spoken in your behalf . . . To say naught of themaid herself. But by St. Luke! this fortune will bring its drag. TheCountess has had too many suitors for the favored one to escape unhated. Nay, do not shrug your shoulders . . . Or, at least, there is no harm inshrugging if your wit be keen, your dagger ever ready, and your armstrong. Remember, De Lacy, that you are a stranger, high in favor withthe King, and that Beatrix has broad acres as well as a fair face. "

"And also that there is a certain, flat-nosed, red-haired knave at large, who, perchance, may honor me, even as he did you. "

"Spare him, lad, spare him for me! . . . Yet if he should come underyour sword, put a bit more force in the blow for my sake. "

"Trust me for that. . . I shall split him six inches deeper--and tellhim why as I do it. "

"It will make me still more your debtor. By the Holy Evangels! if I wereassured the Abbot Aldam of Kirkstall had aught to do with that attackupon me, I would harry his worthless old mummery shop so clean a mousewould starve in it. "

"Hark you, Sir John, " said Aymer, "I may resign the Flat-Nose to you, butI shall claim a hand in that harrying business if the time ever ripen. "

"Sorry the day for the Cistercian when we batter down his gates, " the oldKnight laughed, yet with a menacing ring in his words. 

"Sorry, indeed, for those on the other side of the gates, " came a voicefrom behind the arras, and the King parted the hangings. . . . "Thoughmay I ask whose gates are in to be battered and for what purpose?"

"The gates of Kirkstall Abbey, under certain conditions, so please YourMajesty, " said De Bury. 

Richard elevated his eyebrows ever so slightly. 

"And the conditions?" he asked. 

"Proof that the Abbot Aldam was concerned in a recent murderous assaultupon me, or that he harbors a certain flat-nosed ruffian who led it, " SirJohn replied. 

"Methinks you told me of this matter at the time, " addressing De Lacy. 

"Yes, my liege, --at Leicester. "

Richard nodded. "Perchance, Sir John, you may solve the riddle some day, and by way of Kirkstall: though it were not best to work sacrilege. Mother Church is holy with us yet awhile, and must needs be handledtenderly. Nathless, there is no hurt in keeping a close watch upon theCistercian. "

"And if it should be that he plots treason against the King of England?"De Bury queried. 

Richard smiled and shrugged his shoulders. 

"In that event, " he said, "there will be a new mitre to fit atKirkstall. . . And mon Dieu! John, how would you like to wear it?"

De Bury raised his hands in horrified negation. "Now God forefend thatI, in my old age, should come to that. Better take De Lacy; he is youngand blithesome. "

"By St. Paul! John, best not tell your niece you sought to turn De Lacymonk!" . . . Then went on: "Two days hence we fare Northward, but withoutHer Majesty, who will join us later . . . At Warwick likely. To you, SirJohn, I give command of her escort . . . De Lacy, you will ride with me. But of this, more anon, " and he moved away--then stopped and saidsternly: "Sir Aymer, go to the Queen and say to her it is my commandthat, until we depart, you walk with the Countess of Clare on theterrace, or ride with her, or do whatever you two may wish. " And then helaughed. 

On the following Thursday, being the thirteenth of July, Richard departedfrom Windsor, and behind him rode the most imposing and gorgeouscavalcade that ever accompanied a King of England in a peaceful progressthrough his realm. There, gleamed the silver bend of Howard on itsground of gules; the red chevron of Stafford in its golden field; thegolden fess of De la Pole amid the leopard faces; the three goldstagheads of Stanley on the azure bend; the gold bend of Bolton, Lord ofScrope; the gold and red bars of Lovell; the red lion of De Lisle rampingon its field of gold; the sable bend engrailled of Ratcliffe; the redfess and triple torteaux of D'Evereux, Lord Ferrers of Chartley; thesable twin lions of Catesby; the golden chevron of Hungerford; the redengrailled cross and sable water bougets of Bourchier; and a score ofothers equally prominent and powerful. And with every Baron were hisparticular retainers; but varying in number up to the three hundred thatwore the Stafford Knot and ruffled themselves as scarce second even tothe veterans of the King himself. 

Richard was mounted on "White Surray, " the famous war horse that he rodefirst in the Scottish War, and was to ride for the last time in thefurious charge across Redmore Plain on that fatal August morning when thePlantagenet Line died, even as it had lived and ruled--hauberk on backand sword in hand. He wore no armor, but in his rich doublet andsuper-tunic of dark blue velvet with the baudikin stripes on the sleeve, he made as handsome and gallant a figure as one was wont to see, even inthose days of chivalry. And no reign, since his protonymicpredecessor's, gave promise of a brighter future. The people hadaccepted him without a murmur of dissatisfaction, well pleased that therewas to be no occasion for the riot of factions and favorites that a childKing always engenders. England had known Richard of Gloucester, evensince his boyhood, as a strong man among strong men--a puissant knight, an unbeaten general, a wise counsellor, a brilliant administrator; in allthings able, resourceful, proficient; combining, as it were, in the lastof the Angevines, all the keen statesmanship, stern will, and fiery dashof the great House that had ruled England for three hundred turbulentyears. 

Since the evening in London when Buckingham had quitted the castle inanger at the denial of the De Bohun inheritance, the matter had not beenmentioned between them; nor did the Duke know that Richard had ever heardof his outburst. Yet it is sure that from that moment they haddistrusted each other, though they varied not a jot their former bearing. Stafford remained at Court in constant attendance, and the King continuedto grant him substantial favors and honors, and this day, as they rodeside by side toward Reading (as well as until Buckingham turned aside atGloucester for his demesne of Brecknock), the most astute observer couldnot have detected in the frank cordiality of their manner, the faintesttrace of unfriendliness on the part of either. 

The King had thrown aside his haughty reserve, and laughed and chattedgayly with those about him. Toward the inhabitants, who were gathered incrowds along the highways, he was very gracious, doffing bonnet to thecurtsies of the women, and acknowledging with a gracious sweep of his armand hand the respectful salutations of the men. And many were theenthusiastic cries of "God save the King!" or "God save Your Majesty!" or"God save King Richard!" And they came from the solitary individual aswell as from the multitude; from the laborers in the country as well asfrom the tradesmen and artificers in the hamlets and small towns. 

It was near evening on the twelfth day after leaving Windsor that thetall towers of Warwick Castle loomed in the distance, the giant "Caesar"rising high above its huge brothers, the "Gateway" and the "Grey, " andcasting its grim shadow far across the country-side. During much of thisday's journey Richard had been very quiet, riding with his head sunk onhis breast; and observing this, his attendants, save only the particularKnight of the Body on duty, gradually drew further behind so that theirtalk would not annoy him. At intervals he summoned one or more of them, but after a short time his interest waned, his abstraction returned, andlike discreet courtiers, they quickly dropped again to the rear. As theyneared the fortress he roused himself, and when the bombard on the wallroared out the royal salute he waved his suite to him. At the same timeSir William Catesby, who had gone on in advance from Worcester theprevious day, came galloping to meet them with Sir James Gascoyne, theConstable of the Castle. 

Richard supped alone that evening; and then for a while he paced thefloor in meditation, pausing finally at the open window. Presently hestruck the bell. 

"Who waits?" he asked. 

"Sir Aymer de Lacy and Sir Ralph de Wilton, " replied the page. 

"De Lacy, " he said. . . "Come hither, " as Aymer entered; "a crowdedcourtyard always entertains me. . . Sometimes much may be learned fromit; and this is very active now. Have you ever seen one so bright andbusy?"

"But once before in England, Sire. "

"Where?"

"At Pontefract! the night I first met the Duke of Gloucester. "

"Aye, that may be true--it was crowded in those days. . . Pardieu! it isscarce three months since then--and yet . . . Holy Paul, what, changes!"He half closed his eyes in retrospection. . . "It is marvellous whatmemory can show us in an instant, " he said, and turning sharply from thecasement struck the bell again. . . "Summon the Lord Steward, " heordered . . . Then, to De Lacy, when the page had gone: "And do youattend to what is said and pay no regard to Stanley's glances ofuneasiness. . . You understand?"

De Lacy bowed. "I do, and with profound satisfaction. "

"Why satisfaction?"

"That Your Majesty does not trust him. "

Richard smiled grimly. "Trust him or his brother William? Rather lookfor faith and honesty in the Fiend himself. Nathless, I may not slightthem--yet awhile. It is watch and wait--now. And a trying task truly, for they are the shrewdest brained in the land. "

"Save the King of England, " Aymer added. 

"Save none, as you some day may see. "

"God forbid!" De Lacy exclaimed earnestly. 

But Richard only shrugged his shoulders. "Nay, what boots it? As greatCoeur-de-Lion said: 'From the Devil we Plantagenets all come, and to theDevil shall we all go. '"

"Then Your Majesty will never be quit of the Stanleys. "

"It would seem so, " with a short laugh; "yet it is the live Stanley thatworries me now. "

"The Lord Stanley awaits Your Majesty's pleasure, " said the page, stepping within the arras. 

"Admit him, " the King ordered, choosing a place where his own face wouldbe in the shadow and the other's in the glare. . . "And would it were mypleasure, rather than my expediency, that awaited him, " he added in anundertone. 

Stanley came forward in his precise and cautious way and bent knee to theKing. 

"Be seated, my lord, " said Richard cordially. "I wish your advice upon amost important matter, if you can spare me a little of your time. "

The Lord Steward bowed. "My time belongs to you, Sire, " he said suavely;"though I fear my poor advice can aid but little your own keen judgment;yet it is flattering to be asked it. "

Richard made a gesture of dissent. "I did not summon you for flattery, "he said; "if I did not value your discretion you would not be here. "

"Then I trust your gracious confidence may not be misplaced. "

"I am about to test it. . . Tell me, my lord, what is the gravest stateproblem that confronts me now?"

The Lord Steward's crafty blue eyes shot a sharp glance at the King, butRichard's black ones met it half way and drove it back in quick retreat. Now, Stanley had one weakness. He was vain of his astuteness and everready to display it; and he thought he had discerned instantly what wasin the King's mind. 

"Your Majesty means the two Princes--Edward's sons, " he said. 

Richard's face showed blank surprise. 

"Nay, my lord, I mean nothing in particular, " he said. "I sought onlywhat, in your opinion, was my chief embarrassment and peril. . . And youanswer: the young Princes. . . By St. Paul! you may be right--give meyour reasons. "

Stanley saw his blunder and grew hot with rage. He had been outwitted;and now, as between him and the King, he must ever bear the burden ofhaving first suggested Edward's sons as a menace to the State. The trapwas so easy; and yet he had never seen it until it had caught him tight. And between his anger and the strange influence which Richard exercisedover all men when in his presence, he blundered again--and worse thanbefore. 

"When, since time began, " he asked, "has a new King had peace or comfortwhile his supplanted predecessor lived to breed revolt?"

Richard seized the opening instantly. 

"Great St. George! You do not urge the Princes' death?" he exclaimed. 

And Stanley floundered deeper. 

"Holy Mother, Sire, do not misunderstand me, " he answered. "I urgenothing. But the problem, as I see it, is, not why to act, but how torefrain. "

"Yet Parliament has declared them bastards and so never eligible to thecrown, " Richard objected. 

But Stanley had gone too far now to retreat and he pressed on, knowingthat he, himself, was incurring little or no danger by the advice. Richard alone would be responsible if he acted upon it, and all the openshame would fall upon him. 

"The Beauforts were bastards, " he answered, "and Parliament specificallyrefused them the royal dignity; yet who, to-day, is Lancaster's chief andclaimant for your Crown but the heir of those same Beauforts? Pardieu!Sire, you need not me to tell you that Parliament belongs to him whosewrit summons it. "

"I would never countenance it, " the King answered; "and it would surelydestroy me if I did. "

Stanley smiled shrewdly. "Did the Fourth Henry sit less easy on thethrone when the deposed Richard died suddenly at Pontefract? . . . DidJohn tyrannize the less because of Arthur's cruel taking off?"

The King arose and paced the floor, looking straight before him. Stanleywatched him furtively, trying vainly to read behind the mask of thatpassionless face. 

"Tell me, my lord, " said Richard presently, halting beside him andputting a hand on his shoulder, "if you were King of England, what wouldyou do with the Princes?"

Stanley evaded the direct question. "Your Majesty is King of England, and I can never be aught but a subject--how can I know what a King woulddo?"

Richard nodded. "That is but fair, my lord, " he said. "To decide asKing one must be King. Yet I would gather from our talk that you deemthe . . . Removal . . . Most essential--is it not so?"

Pushed into the corner, the shifty Baron hesitated and sought to evadeagain. But he managed badly, for now the King's eyes were hard upon hisface. 

"Of a truth, Sire, " he replied, "our talk this night has convinced me itwould be most expedient for Your Majesty. "

Richard's lips softened into the very faintest smile. 

"Our talk------!" he began. 

Then suddenly Stanley started up and pointed to the window. 

"Who is yonder listener?" he exclaimed. 

Richard turned quickly, following the gesture. 

"Are your eyes failing?" he asked. "It is De Lacy--he is on dutyto-night. "

"Did you know he was there?"

"Most assuredly, my lord. "

Stanley stared at the King in amazed silence, and despite his carefuldissimulation the indignation blazed in his eyes. 

"If Your Majesty deem it wise to discuss such matters before a simpleattendant, " he said, "it is not for me to criticise . . . Yet, methinks, if it be not risky, it is at least unusual. "

"Never fear, Lord Steward; I will answer for my Body-Knight, " Richardresponded. 

During the colloquy, De Lacy had been leaning on the window edge, watching idly the courtyard below, but paying strict attention to allthat was said behind him. Now he came forward and bent knee to Richard. 

"My King's confidence, " he said, "makes contemptible the insinuations ofthe fickle Stanley. "

"How now, Sir------" Stanley began angrily; but Richard silenced him withan imperious gesture. 

"Hold, my Lord Steward, " he said sternly, "no words betwixt you two. Andhark you both, no renewal of this hereafter. You are each acquittancedof the other now. "

De Lacy drew himself up stiffly and saluted. 

"The King commands, " he said. 

"And you, my lord?" asked Richard, eyeing Stanley. 

"Pardieu! Sire, I have no quarrel with Sir Aymer, " he answered, andaffably extended his hand. 

Just then there came loud voices from the outer room, followedimmediately by the entrance of the page. 

"May it please Your Majesty, " the boy said, as the King's curt nod gavehim leave to speak, "Sir Robert Brackenbury craves instant audience onbusiness of state. "

"Admit him!"

The next moment the old Knight strode into the room, spurs jangling andboots and doublet soiled by travel. 

"Welcome, Robert, " said Richard, giving him his hand. "What brings youin such haste?"

"Matters which are for your ears alone, Sire, " said the Constable of theTower, with the abruptness of a favored counsellor. 

The King walked to a distant window. 

"Might the two-faced Lord Steward hear us?" Brackenbury asked. 

"No danger, speak--what is amiss in London?"

"Enough and to spare. Edward's sons are dead. "

Even Richard's wonderful self-control was unequal to such news, and hestarted back. 

"Holy Paul!" he exclaimed, under his breath; then stood with benthead. . . "How happened it?"

"No one knows, certainly. As you expressly ordered, either thelieutenant or myself regularly locked their apartments at sundown andopened them at dawn. Two nights since I, myself, turned key upon them. In the morning I found them dead--in each breast a grievouswound--Edward's bloody dagger on the floor. "

"And your view of it?"

"That Edward killed Richard and himself. He had lately been oppressedwith heavy melancholy. "

The King shook his head. "Yes, that is doubtless the solution, yet scantcredence will be given it. To the Kingdom it will be murder foul. . . Yet, pardieu! who else know it?"

"None but my lieutenant. "

"And his discretion?"

"Beyond suspicion. He has forgotten it long since. "

Richard called De Lacy to him. "Let Suffolk, Lovel, Ratcliffe, D'Evereuxand Catesby be summoned instantly, " he ordered. 

"My friends, " said he, when the last of them had come, "I have sore needof your wisdom and counsel. Hark to the mournful tidings Sir RobertBrackenbury brings. "

Bluntly and simply the old Knight told the story. When he ended therewas deep concern on every face and all eyes turned toward the King. 

"You perceive, my lords, the gravity of the situation, " said Richard. "What shall be done?"

None answered. 

"Come, sirs; it is here and we must face it. What say you, Stanley?"

The Lord Steward swept the circle with a keen glance. 

"Your Majesty has put a direful question and given us scant time forthought, " he replied. "Yet but two courses seem possible: either toproclaim the Princes dead by natural causes and give them public burial;or to conceal the death, and by letting the world fancy them lifeprisoners so forget them. Each has its advantage; but on the whole, thelatter may be better. Nathless, this much is self-evident--the true taledare not be told. Daggers, blood, and death are inexplicable when Kings'sons are the victims, save on one hypothesis. "

One after another endorsed these words, until finally it came back to theKing for decision. 

For a long while he sat silent, staring into vacancy. Through the openwindows floated the noises of the courtyard--the neigh of a horse, thecall of a soldier, the rattle of steel on stone; from the anteroom camethe hum of voices, the tramp of a foot, the echo of a laugh. But within, no one spoke nor even stirred. Not a man there but understood thefatefulness of the moment and the tremendous consequences of thedecision, which, once made, might never be amended. At length he spoke. 

"It is an ill-fated event and leaves a dismal prospect, " he said veryquietly. "Sooner or later my nephews' death will be laid on me. Toproclaim them dead would be to declare me guilty now. To conceal theirdeath will be simply to postpone that guilt a time--a very little time, it may be. Curiosity will arise over their prolonged disappearance . . . Then will come suspicion . . . And at length suspicion will becomeaccepted fact. . . So, my lords, their blood will be put on me--eithernow or in the future. That is my only choice--now or the future--. . . And I choose the future. We will not announce the death; and the bodiesshall be buried privately and in an unknown spot. To you, Sir RobertBrackenbury, I commit the task, trusting you fully. . . And, my lords, from this moment henceforth, let this council and its sad subject beforgotten utterly. . . Only I ask that when, in after days, you hearRichard Plantagenet accused of this deed, you will defend him or hismemory. . . And now, good night. "

One by one they came forward, bent knee and kissed his hand; then quietlywithdrew, leaving him and De Lacy alone together. 

"And yet, forsooth, " he exclaimed, "Stanley advised that the Princes beremoved! By St. Paul! if he sought to persuade me to my injury, theFates have subserved his wishes well. Him I can baffle, but under theirfrown the strongest monarch fails. "

XVI

THE FLAT-NOSE REAPPEARS

It was September, and Their Majesties had come to Pontefract with theimmediate Household for a brief rest after the labors and fatigues ofthe summer, and which had culminated in the festivities and ceremoniesat York. In the room where Sir Aymer de Lacy first saw Richard ofGloucester, the King and Queen were alone together. Evening hadfallen, but the brilliancy of a full moon in a cloudless sky hadprolonged the day. Through the open windows came the freshness of thewoods and hills, and the candles flickered and flamed in coquetry withthe gentle breeze. 

"Come, Anne, let us walk. It is too fine an evening to spend indoors, "Richard said, laying aside the papers he had been examining. 

She answered with the sweet smile that was always on her lips for him, and arm in arm they passed out upon the ramparts. 

The main body of the soldiery were quartered in the town below thehill, and the castle was very quiet, save only for the tramp of theguards on the wall, the rattle of their weapons, and an occasionalburst of laughter from the great hall. The peace and calm appealed tothe Queen, and she sighed. 

"How so, sweetheart, " said Richard; "what troubles you?"

"I was thinking how much preferable Pontefract is to London. "

The King laughed. "I believe you would rather be Duchess than Queen. "

"Aye, Richard, much rather, much rather, " she replied instantly. 

He put his hand on her fair hair and stroked it softly. "Nay, dear, the wearisome work is over now, I trust. Henceforth it will bepleasanter . . . Pardieu! was there ever another woman, I wonder, whoneeded encouragement to wear a crown?"

"A Neville once refused one, " she replied. 

"True, indeed; and gave it back to the miserable Henry. . . Youresemble your great father in many ways--and may our own dear son belike you both. "

"You are very good to me, Richard, " she said, taking his hand. 

"But much short of what you deserve, dear one. "

Suddenly a bugle rang loudly from before the barbican, followed in amoment by the rattle of the drawbridge and the clatter of hoofs on theplanks. 

"It is Beatrix and Sir John returning from their ride, " the Queen said. 

"It was not De Bury's call, " he answered. 

"Why, it is Sir Aymer de Lacy!" she exclaimed, as a pair of horsemencantered across the inner bailey. 

Richard nodded. "And a day earlier than I anticipated . . . But he hasa good excuse. "

"And a bit of disappointment also, that Beatrix is not here to greethim. "

"He can spare her until he has supped, I fancy. "

"She would not be pleased to think so. "

"A woman wants a man to think of naught but her, " he smiled. 

"Yes, she does--and even though she know it to be futile . . . It isfoolish, doubtless. "

"It is more than foolish; it is unfortunate. It annoys the man andgrieves the woman. "

"Nay, Richard, you look at it with a man's view only. "

"And you, my dear?"

"I?--with the proper view, of course. "

The King laughed aloud; and as De Lacy, who had just dismounted beforethe keep, recognized the voice and glanced up, Richard leaned over theparapet and beckoned to him. 

"We are glad to see you, " he said, as the Knight presently bent kneeand kissed the Queen's hand. 

"Yes, Sir Aymer, you are always welcome, " she added. 

"Your Majesties overwhelm me. "

"Well, if our greeting overwhelm you, " the King remarked, "the Countessof Clare's wilt likely end your life. "

"I am very anxious to risk it, Sire, " De Lacy answered quickly. 

"Beatrix has left the castle, " said Richard. 

"Gone!" Aymer exclaimed. 

"Oh . . . Only for a ride. "

"A ride--at night?"

"Surely--why not--on a fine night and with a gallant escort?"

"Nay, Richard, " the Queen broke in, "do not distress him. Sir Aymer, Beatrix is with her uncle, and as they have been absent since beforevespers, they must soon return. "

De Lacy's face cleared so quickly that Richard smiled. 

"A bad case, truly, " he commented, putting his arm about the Queen. "Has the lady the disease so deep?"

"I would not tell you even if I knew, " she answered. 

"Nay, I only jested. . . But seriously, De Lacy, why should thewedding be delayed . . . Why not have the ceremony here at Pontefractbefore we go Southward?"

"That it has not already taken place is no fault of mine------"

"It is, sir; you should have won the Countess to consent, " the Kinginterrupted. 

"Her wish runs with mine. "

"Then what ails the matter? . . . Not De Bury surely?"

"Sir John is as willing as we. It is the behest of the dead Earl thatbars. "

"Beatrix's father?"

"Yes; she promised him she would not wed before her twenty-fifthbirthday. "

"Peste! A senseless thing to exact; she was little more than child. As King I can absolve her from it. "

"I fear that would not help the matter, Sire; Beatrix regards it assacred--it was given at the Earl's deathbed. "

Richard made a gesture of annoyance. "Does no consideration lift theobligation from her?" he demanded. 

"Naught, as she views it now, but a question of life, honor, orimperative necessity. "

"Now may the Devil fly away with such foolishness! Wherefore shall thedead rule the living? . . . How old is the Countess?"

"She was four and twenty last month. "

"Great St. George! You have a wait, indeed; and ample time to pray forthe imperative necessity. Meanwhile, best continue to keep thebetrothal secret. It will likely save you both some embarrassment andconsiderable gossip at the long delay. "

Just then another bugle blared from the barbican. 

"Sir John and Beatrix!" the Queen exclaimed. 

Richard shook his head. 

"It was Ratcliffe's call, " he said. 

A moment later the Master of Horse came at full gallop across thecourtyard. 

Jumping from saddle and letting his horse run loose to be caught by thegrooms, he sprang up the steps. In the anteroom the page met him withthe information that Their Majesties were on the wall and were not tobe disturbed. But at the first word, Ratcliffe dashed into the King'schamber and thence to the ramparts. Richard saw him coming and wentquickly to meet him. 

"What is it?" he demanded. 

"Where is De Bury?" Ratcliffe asked. 

"Gone for a ride with the Countess. "

"I feared it. I found his horse at the foot of the hill, trottingtoward the castle from the West. There is blood on the saddle cloth, and the rein is cut in twain at the bit. "

"Foul work!" the King exclaimed. "Send an order to the camp for ahundred men to scour the country toward the Aire, and let another fiftymuster before the barbican at daybreak; then come to me. " . . . Andturning, he sauntered back to the Queen. "Come, my dear, let us goin, " he said, putting his arm through hers, "I must take up somematters that Ratcliffe has brought. And do you remain, De Lacy;perchance you can aid me. "

"Will you be occupied very late?" she asked, as he held back the arras. 

"Only a short time, my dear. I will come to you presently, " andhimself closed the door behind her. 

"Are you very weary?" he asked De Lacy. 

"Fit for any service Your Majesty may wish. "

"It will be your own service. "

"Mine! Mine! . . . You cannot mean----" taking a step forward. 

"Steady, man, steady! I mean only that Sir John's riderless horse hasjust been found near the castle, with severed rein and bloody saddle. "

De Lacy passed his hand across his forehead. 

"And Beatrix?" he asked huskily. 

The King shook his head. 

Again Aymer passed his hand across his eyes; his brain was working veryslowly how. 

"You have given orders?" he asked. 

"One hundred men-at-arms are seeking for a clue. Fifty others willawait you at the barbican at daybreak. "

"Meanwhile I, too, will seek, " and he sprang toward the door--and intoRatcliffe's arms. 

"Stay, Sir Aymer, " said the King; "it would do no good for you tosearch at night--you may go far astray. All that can be done tilldaybreak the scouts will do. . . You gave the orders, Ratcliffe?"

"I did, and venture to amplify them by sending twenty men along theNorth road as far as the Aire for any trace of Sir John or of thefight--for, of course, there was a fight. "

"And a passing hard one ere De Bury was unhorsed, " said Richard. 

"The remaining eighty, " Ratcliffe continued, "I divided into bands often and five, bidding them follow every cross-road or bridle-path, andinquire for information from every traveler and at every habitation. The instant aught is discovered you will be advised. "

The King turned to De Lacy. "You rescued Sir John when he was attackedlast April near his own castle; might this be the same band?"

Aymer shook his head. "We killed all of them but one. "

"True, I remember now. . . The flat-nosed one alone escaped. . . DidDe Bury ever speak to you of enemies in these parts?"

"Never directly; though, as you know, he seemed to dislike the Abbot ofKirkstall and suspected him of being, at least, party to the otherattack. "

"Well, we must wait for even a plausible solution until we have a fewfacts. Yet I would wager much it is an abduction--and God grant it beso. . . Of course, it may be the villains did not molest the Countess. In that case, find Sir John and you find her, too. "

"The chance is slight, " De Lacy said quickly, "yet I shall ride rapidlyback for a few miles and, perchance, it may be so. If I be not here bydaybreak, Sire, I will join the men en route. "

"It will be a relief for you to be on the move, " said Richard kindly;"but return here for your escort. We may have clues then; and if theCountess has been abducted, she is quite as likely to be carried Southas North. "

"I shall be here at daybreak, " Aymer answered. He saddled Selim withhis own hand, and with Dauvrey beside him hurried away. They rode insilence with eyes alert, scanning sharply the ground on both sides ofthe road that lay like a silver stream before them. A mile from thecastle a soldier rode out from the shadow and reined across the track, his casquetel and drawn sword glistening in the moonlight. 

"Hold!" he ordered. 

"Yorkshire!" said De Lacy . . . "Any news?" he demanded, as they sweptby. 

"None, my lord. "

At the first cross-road two horsemen barred the way. Aymer paused toquestion them, but learning nothing, the pace was resumed. Anothermile was passed, and they had tarried a moment to breathe and water thehorses at a rivulet that gurgled across the road, when Selim suddenlythrew up his head. 

"Some one comes!" said De Lacy . . . "it is news . . . He ridesfuriously; he must be stopped. "

They drew out into the middle of the track and waited. Presently arunning horse shot into view ahead, and the rider, seeing the two infront, shouted the royal messenger's call: "Way! In the King's name!Way!"

"Stay, Allen, " Giles Dauvrey cried, recognizing him. "What word?"

"Sir John has been found, " the man answered, drawing up short. 

"Dead?" Aymer demanded. 

"No, my lord, not yet. "

"And the Countess of Clare?"

"Gone, my lord; no trace. "

"God in Heaven! . . . Where Is Sir John?"

"Half a league further on. "

"Tell the King I have gone thither, " Aymer called over his shoulder ashe raced away. 

In a patch of moonlight, fifty feet or so in from the road, lay SirJohn de Bury, his eyes closed, his face upturned, motionless--to allappearances a corpse. De Lacy sprang down and knelt beside him. 

"He is not dead, my lord, " said a soldier. 

Aymer laid back the doublet and shirt, wet and heavy with blood thathad come from a deep wound in the right breast, and was still oozingslowly. The heart was beating, but very faintly, and forcing the setjaws apart with his dagger, he poured a measure of cordial down SirJohn's throat. 

"May it please you, sir, " said one of the men, "we have arranged alitter of boughs, and if you think it good we will bear him back to thecastle. "

"It can do him no harm, " De Lacy answered. . . "How say you, Giles?"

"With even step it will not hurt him, " the squire replied. 

Lifting the old Knight carefully they placed him on the litter andAymer wrapped his own cloak around him, then nodded to the soldiers toproceed. 

"Go slowly, " he ordered, "a jolt may end his life. Watch his heartclosely; if it grow weaker, use the cordial, " and he handed them theflask. 

"The fight was not at this place, " said Dauvrey after a moment'sexamination of the ground; "there are no mingling hoof marks. De Burylikely fell from the saddle here and the horse kept on to the castle;his tracks point thither. "

"Let us follow the back track, " De Lacy exclaimed. 

For a score of paces it led them, slowly and laboriously, into the darkforest, and then vanished, and though they searched in all directions, no further trace was found. It was a fruitless quest; and at lengththe squire persuaded his master to abandon it and await the coming ofthe dawn. 

Reluctantly De Lacy remounted and they rode slowly back to Pontefract. The soldiers bearing Sir John de Bury had reached there some timebefore, and he lay on the couch in his own room. There was no materialchange in his condition, though under the candle-light there was lessof the ghastly pallor of death in the face; and about the ears wereevidences that the blood was beginning to circulate more strongly. TheKing's own physician, Antonio Carcea--an Italian--sat beside him withhis hand on the pulse and, ever and anon, bent to listen to therespiration. 

At Be Lacy's entrance he glanced up with a frown which faded when hesaw who it was. 

"He will live, Signor, " he said in Italian. "He has not yet come toconsciousness, but it is only a matter of a little while. "

"Will he speak by daybreak?" De Lacy asked. 

"Most likely, Signor. "

"Summon me on the instant, and may the Good God aid you. "

Going to his quarters and waving Dauvrey aside when he would haverelieved him of his doublet, Aymer threw himself upon the bed. He hadridden far that day, and with the coming of the sun would begin whatpromised to be a labor long and arduous. He could not sleep--and hisclosed eyes but made the fancies of his brain more active and thevisions of his love, abducted and in hideous peril, more real andagonizing. Yet to serve her he must needs be strong and so he tried tocompose himself and rest his body. There was scanty time untilmorning; but an hour of quiet now might breed a day of vigor in thefuture. 

Presently there came a sharp knock and Ratcliffe entered. 

"Lie still, " he said, as De Lacy would have risen. "I know you foundno trace of the Countess else you would not be here. Yet, perchance, Sir John may speak or some of the scouts return with a clue. If not, the sunlight, doubtless, will reveal what the night has hidden. TheKing has retired, but he bade me say to you not to depart without wordwith him. Meanwhile if any of the scouts come in they are to report toyou. "

Slowly the minutes dragged themselves out. The shadows lengthened moreand more as the moon went to its rest behind the distant Craven hills. Then of a sudden, light and shadow mingled and all was dark. Presentlya cock crowed; and the sound seemed loud as a roar of a bombard. Againthe cock crowed, and from the retainers' houses another and anotheranswered, until the shrill cry ran along the outer bailey and acrossthe wall and on down the hill to the village, growing fainter andfainter until, at the last, it was like a far distant echo, more memorythan reality. 

De Lacy turned his head toward the window, hoping for some sign of day, but the East was black. With an impatient sigh he lay back. Was everman so sorely tried--so cruelly used--so choked by horrors of theprobable! Then came a troubled slumber--a tossing and a waking--thatwas ended by a quick step in the corridor, and with a bound he reachedthe door and flung it open. 

"Sir John------" the page began, but got no farther--De Lacy was gone. 

Sir John de Bury lay as when Aymer left him, but the color was comingback to his face and his eyes were open, and he smiled very faintly ingreeting. 

"He may speak?" De Lacy asked. 

"A few words, Signor, " the Italian answered. 

Just then the King entered hastily, a long gown about him. Sir Johntried to raise his hand in salute, but Richard quickly caught the weakfingers. 

"Nay, nay, my friend, " he said; "another time for that. " . . . Then toCarcea: "Has he spoken?"

"Not yet, Sire; and if it please Your Majesty, it would be well to askthe questions so that they can be answered by a motion of the head. The patient's strength will permit few words. "

"Do you understand, John?" Richard asked. 

De Bury smiled faintly and indicated that he did. 

"Were you attacked?" the King went on. 

"Yes, " said the nod. 

"By highwaymen?"

A pause, and then--"No. "

"By men hired for the purpose?"

"Yes, " readily. 

"Do you know by whom?"

Another pause; then--"No. "

"You have suspicion?"

"Yes, " quickly. 

"More of that in a moment; first, tell me, did they carry off theCountess?"

"Yes, " and the old eyes glowed fiercely. 

"Was she hurt in the struggle?"

"No. "

"Were you attacked in the main road?"

"No. "

"On a by-track?"

"Yes. "

"North of the main road?"

"Yes. "

"Near the main road?"

"Yes. "

"Two leagues from here?"

"Yes, " after a slight pause. 

"More than two?"

"No. "

"Oh! the path to the Hermit's Cell?"

"Yes, " quickly. 

"How long after you left Pontefract--two hours?"

"Yes, " readily. 

"Can you show the number of your assailants on your fingers?"

The right hand opened and closed twice. 

"Ten, mean you?" the King exclaimed. 

"Yes, " instantly. 

"Pardieu! did you recognize any of them?"

"One, " said the raised finger. 

"Can you whisper his name?" and the King bent low over the bed. 

Sir John's lips twitched. He labored hard to speak, but the strengthwas wanting; no sound came; the tongue refused to move. A spasm ofdisappointment passed over his face. Then suddenly he fixed his eyesmeaningly upon De Lacy, and Richard understood. 

"Does Sir Aymer know this fellow?" he asked. 

"Yes, " was the instant answer. 

"Has he been about the Court?"

"No. "

"St. Denis!" exclaimed De Lacy, "was it Flat-Nose?"

"Yes! Yes!" eagerly. 

"One more question, " said the King: "Can you suggest whither theycarried the Countess?"

Again the eyes turned to De Lacy. 

"Kirkstall Abbey?" Aymer asked. 

"Yes, " but the hesitating nod signified it was only a suspicion. 

"We will leave you now, old friend, " said Richard. "Be not concerned. Ample precautions were taken hours ago to trace the Countess; and DeLacy with fifty horsemen rides in pursuit at daybreak--as soon as trailcan be followed. The quest ends only when she is found and saved. Come, Sir Aymer, morning dawns and a word with you before you mount. Hark! your troopers muster now within the camp. "

XVII

IN PURSUIT

"It is meagre information, yet enough to make a start on, " the Kingsaid when they had left the room. "Perchance ere you reach the spot, you will gather more from the scouts who should be coming in. Yet itis most improbable that the villains took the main roads with theCountess. They will travel by secluded paths and through the forests;and if their destination be distant, they will not trust the highwaysinside a day's ride of Pontefract. Therefore, go slowly until thetrail be plain. Then--well, I need not tell you what to do then. "

"By St. Denis, no, Sire! My sword arm knows how to slay. "

"Would that I could go with you, " Richard said, his ardor for adventureand danger working strong. "Yet the King may not, and I do not care toassume disguise just now. Some day . . . Peste! Some day must carefor itself and wait. " . . . He drew a ring from his finger. "Here, DeLacy, " he said, "this bit of gold, bearing my arms and the Boar, mayprove of use. Show it, and your least word will be obeyed--send it tome, and, if need be, an army brings it back. Guard it well; there arebut four others in the Kingdom. . . Nay--no thanks; Richard trustsfew--them he trusts to the end. Use the ring without stint whennecessary; but hark you, beware the friends of Buckingham. There ismischief afoot and, maybe, treason brewing at Brecknock. "

"And Your Majesty does naught to stem it?" De Lacy exclaimed. 

A cold smile crossed the King's face. 

"Not yet, " he answered. . . "And further, if your course should lienear Kirkstall, best be mindful of the Abbot. There may be some basisfor De Bury's notion. And now, away. --You have the Queen's prayers, the Ring of the Boar and your own good sword. You must needs prevail. "

As De Lacy and Dauvrey emerged from the shadow of the barbican a buglespoke and Raynor Royk rode forward and saluted. 

"Are you ready?" De Lacy demanded, running his eye along the line. 

"Yes, my lord. "

"Forward, then;" and at a trot he led the way. 

"You know our mission?" he asked. 

"Yes, my lord. "

"And the men, also?"

"I ventured to tell them. "

"It may be heavy duty and full of danger. "

The old warrior drew himself up sharply. "Your lordship does not doubtme?"

"Nay, Raynor, never you. I only want your vouchment for the soldiers. "

"Many would give their lives for you, Sir Aymer; all would die for theCountess of Clare. "

"And you all may be afforded the opportunity ere the quest be ended, "said De Lacy grimly. "We take the path to the Hermit's Cell; see thatI do not miss it. Furthermore, you know this country intimately, so donot hesitate to advise me at any time. "

Raynor Royk dropped back to resume his place; then quickly turned: "Twohorsemen gallop after us, my lord. "

De Lacy reined around and raised his arm for the column to halt. 

"They wear armor, " said he, "but I discern no jupon. "

Raynor Royk shook his head. "The corselets shine plain, but methinksit is Sir Ralph de Wilton in front. "

"Aye, it is Sir Ralph!" Dauvrey exclaimed, "or I know not a man's seatin saddle. "

De Lacy rode back to greet him. 

"Did you come from London at that pace, Ralph?" he asked as they met. 

"Nay, only from Pontefract to overtake you. "

"You have news of the Countess?"

"Alas, no. I reached Pontefract town from London last night, but toolate to report at the castle before morning. . . Now, His Majesty canwait until we have found Beatrix. I ride with you, my friend. "

De Lacy put out his hand and De Wilton reached over and took it; and inthe firm grip of their fingers was the confession of the one and thesympathetic appreciation of the other. 

"We will save her, never fear, " Sir Ralph said. Then his eyes fell onthe ring. "By St. George, The Boar! I salute you--for even though youare not the King, still are you almost as powerful. Whoever wears thatring has all but the title--aye, and more--he has the King's enemies aswell as his own. "

"And me a stranger!" De Lacy observed tersely. 

"Aye, and what with that, and the Ring, and the Countess, your life isnot worth a third that mine is. "

"It is worth absolutely nothing to me unless Beatrix be found alive. "

"Pardieu! her life is in no danger. At the most, she will be held onlyfor ransom. "

"Heaven grant it! though I fear the plot is more deeply laid. "

"In that case, my dear De Lacy, when she is rescued let the Church workquickly its sacrament upon you; there will be less temptation then tocarry her off. "

"Yonder, my lord, lies the way to the Hermit's Cell, " came the voice ofRaynor Royk. 

Under the oaks and beeches whose gnarled and twisted arms overlappedthe path the column bent its course; and as it wound along the narrowway, the shafts of sunlight, breaking through the leaves, rippled overthe steel casquetels and trappings until it was as if a rivulet hadsuddenly gushed forth and was flowing down this forest by-path. 

The Hermit's Cell was tenantless. The door had rotted from itsfastenings and lay athwart the entrance. The roof was fallen in. Mould and rank vegetation choked the place. Long since had its holydenizen come to the dark River and been lost in the Mists. 

A little way beyond the hut was where Sir John and the Countess hadbeen attacked. There could be no missing it, for the turf on bothsides of the path was torn and the bushes were crushed and broken. Abrief inspection proved that the Countess had been the quarry, for theassailants had not cared enough about De Bury to pursue him. They hadgone Northward, as the hoof marks showed, and springing back intosaddle, De Lacy hurried on. A quarter of a mile beyond, the tracksturned abruptly and struck off through the forest. At length the treesgrew thinner, and presently the highway lay before them, and the trailended--nor could they find it again. 

"We will on to Kirkstall and its crafty Abbot, " De Lacy exclaimed. 

"Surely you do not think he knows of this affair?" De Wilton asked. 

"When it comes to priests in general and abbots in particular, I neverthink, " Aymer answered. "It is their game, and few can play it withthem and have a chance to win. I prefer to fight them with my ownweapons, " jerking his head toward the fifty men-at-arms. "If the Abbotknow aught of this business, it will do no hurt to let him see thesehonest followers of His Majesty. It may loose his tongue. "

"It will take more than steel coats to make Aldam speak, if he beminded otherwise, " said De Wilton. 

"Doubtless; but while we hold converse with him, Raynor Royk shall havethe premises spied over. "

When they reached Kirkstall no porter was in the lodge, but the gateswere open wide, and halting the column, the two Knights with theirsquires rode into the courtyard. At the further end of the quadranglea dozen horsemen were drawn up, and their leader, his foot in stirrupready to mount, was having a last word with the Abbot. 

Hearing their approach they turned quickly. 

"Darby!" exclaimed De Wilton. "Now what brings him here so early inthe day?"

"Penance and absolution likely, " De Lacy answered scornfully. 

"Well, I trust he has got them and feels more easy with the world. "

"My lord Abbot, " said Aymer, as they dismounted, "I am a trespasser asecond time, and an ill-timed one I fear, for which I beg your kindindulgence--and Lord Darby's, " and he bowed to the latter. 

"Nay, Sir Aymer de Lacy, you interrupt nothing, " Darby responded; "Iwas but making my adieu before pushing on to Pontefract. "

"And Sir Aymer knows he is ever welcome at Kirkstall, both on his ownaccount and because he is of the Household of the royal Richard, " theAbbot answered easily; "and I trust His Majesty and his graciousconsort are in the best of health. "

"We left them at daybreak much distressed over a most dastardly outrageperpetrated upon the Countess of Clare and Sir John de Bury, " saidAymer abruptly, watching the monk's face--but all he saw there wasblank amazement. 

"Holy Mother! my son, what do you mean?" he cried. 

"That they were set upon last evening near the Hermit's Cell by a bandof cut-throats; Sir John all but murdered, and the Countess carriedoff. "

The Cistercian raised his arms in horrified surprise. 

"Incroyable! Incroyable!" he exclaimed. 

And Lord Darby began to swear copiously in French. 

"What were the facts, and what has been done for rescue?" the Abbotasked. 

Briefly De Lacy told of the riderless horse and the finding of Sir Johnde Bury. Of the story revealed by De Bury's finger and head in answerto the King's questioning and the fact that a hundred men-at-arms hadbeen searching the country since the late evening of yesterday, andparticularly as to Flat-Nose having led the assailants, he was mostcareful to say not a word. 

When he had finished, Lord Darby went off again in a storm of fierceimprecation; this time, however, in good Anglo-Saxon. And the Abbotwas seemingly so stunned by Aymer's recital that he did not note theirreverence of his lordship, who was let free to curse away to hisheart's content until brought up by De Wilton. 

"Take a fresh start, Darby; you are repeating yourself. Change offagain into French. "

Darby turned upon the young Knight with a gesture of sharp surprise. 

"None but a weakling could hear Sir Aymer's tale without a rush of hotresentment, " he exclaimed. 

"By the Rood! I observed only a rush of oaths, " Sir Ralph laughed. 

Darby's quick anger flamed up; and jerking off his riding gauntlet heflung it at De Wilton's face. But the Abbot dexterously caught theglove. 

"For shame, Lord Darby, for shame!" he said, "that you, a man in life'sfull prime, should so far forget your knighthood over a bit of innocentbanter. Nor may you, Sir Ralph de Wilton, accept the gage. This isholy ground; dedicated to the worship of the Humble One; and I chargeyou both, by your vows of humility, to let this matter end here and notto carry it beyond yonder gates. Have I your promise, my lord?"

"If Sir Ralph de Wilton be willing, I am content. Doubtless I washasty, " Darby answered with well-assumed frankness, his passion quicklycurbed. 

"And you, Sir Ralph?" the Abbot queried. 

"Am content, even as Lord Darby. I have no cause for quarrel, " DeWilton replied indifferently. 

Darby bowed curtly in acknowledgment; then sprang into saddle. 

"I shall gallop straight to Pontefract;"--addressing De Lacy--"I mayaid in the search. Have you any message for the King?"

"Only that you left us at Kirkstall. "

Darby gave him a quick, searching look. "It is a very meagre report. "

De Lacy smiled. "There has naught happened since we crossed the Aire;and what was discovered between the Castle and the river has alreadybeen communicated to the King. "

The Abbot watched Darby pass the gate. "His lordship would have likedmuch to know what you found at the Hermit's Cell and in the forest, " heremarked. 

"Doubtless, though it was little enough, " said Aymer. "However, it isbut a few leagues to Pontefract and there he will learn all the news ofthe Court. "

"True, my son; yet, to an ardent lover and one not without hope ofacceptance if rumor speak correctly, it would have been a satisfactionto know if you have anything that gives clue to the Countess or hercaptors. "

De Lacy shrugged his shoulders. "Small comfort would I give him, then. "

"Peste! my son, I am very stupid. I quite forgot that there are othersthan Darby who can see the attractions of the Lady of Clare. And of asurety will she be grateful to him who rescues her. "

De Lacy made a gesture of dissent. 

"It is scarce honorable, this motive you ascribe to me, my lord Abbot, "he said curtly. 

"Honor and expediency go not always hand in hand, " the priest answeredwith a half suppressed sneer; then without giving time for retort, hechanged his tones to grave courtesy. "But I am remiss, my lord, I havenot yet done you the civility of inquiring how we of Kirkstall canserve you. "

"Not at all, I fear; at least upon the matter that brought us here; itis evident you can give us no information as to the Countess. "

"Alas! no, my son. Would to Heaven I could! . . . Have you then lostall trace of her?"

"Aye, a league south of the Aire. "

"I will summon the brother who was on duty last night at the outerlodge; maybe he noted something that will aid you. "

But Father Ambrose had not seen a single way-farer; though as he haddozed several times during the night he thought a few persons mighthave passed quietly, and not aroused him. 

"You doze!" exclaimed the Abbot in sarcastic displeasure and eyeing thegood monk's ample girth and heavy, jowly face. "Your doze would need apole-axe to awaken. An army could have marched by with trumpetssounding and you never lift an eye. Other duty shall be given you anda more slender brother assigned to the night watch. You may go. . . By my faith, sirs, I wonder if you soldiers have as much trouble withyour subordinates as we churchmen have with ours. "

"We, at least, can deal out heavier discipline when occasion demandit, " De Wilton answered. 

"Aye! you men of war tread not after the Merciful One, " the Abbot said. 

De Lacy laughed shortly. "Mercy is but relative, and methinks, youecclesiastics are no slower in your judgments than are we. Thepunishments differ only in kind. "

"But our discipline is a step toward Holiness and Christ, my son. "

"And ours a leap toward Sin and Satan, think you? Nathless, am I quiteas willing to take my chance of Heaven in a coat of mail as in thepriestly gown. "

The Abbot's eyes snapped with irritation, but his speech was easy andpacific. "You are young, my son; perchance, when you have more greyhairs there will be a change in your views. Meanwhile you and SirRalph need refreshment, to say naught of the good squires and thehorses. "

De Lacy hesitated. They had already tarried overlong, under thecircumstances, but perchance Raynor Royk had not yet completed hisscrutiny of the Abbey. There was need that this should be thoroughlydone, yet so carefully, withal, as not to arouse suspicion. If Aldamwere to imagine he and his were mistrusted it would make him an enemyif innocent, and a doubly armed foe if guilty. The doubt, however, wassolved by the entrance of a strange horseman into the courtyard. Afaint frown crossed the Abbot's face as he saw him, and De Lacyinstantly decided to remain. Evidently the newcomer was eitherunwelcome or inopportune; and if it were because of their presence, then undoubtedly here was their place. 

"We will accept with thanks, your reverence, " he said. 

Aldam smiled suavely; then went forward to greet the new guest. 

"It is Sir Christopher Urswicke--the priest Knight--the confessor ofMargaret of Richmond, " De Wilton whispered. 

"A bit far out of his demesne, methinks, " De Lacy muttered. 

"Aye! too far to be passed over without report to His Majesty. WhereUrswicke goes his mistress sends him--and lately she has but one objectin life: to make her son the King of England. "

"And like enough will succeed only in making him shorter by a head, " DeLacy responded. 

Meanwhile Urswicke had greeted the Abbot and dismounting had turned hishorse over to his two attendants--who were neither squires nor yetordinary servants, and who doubtless could either fight or pray asoccasion demanded. Their dress partook of the style of their master, who wore the ordinary riding costume of a Knight, even to the goldenspurs; the only marks of his clerical calling being his short croppedhair and the string of beads about his neck with the pendant crucifix. His frame was angular and above the ordinary height. His face was longand narrow, with a hawk-like nose, pointed chin, thin, straight lips, prominent cheek bones and deep-set grey eyes that glittered and chilledlike those of a snake. He swept the others from helm to spur with asingle glance, and Aymer saw his eyes fasten for an instant on the Ringof the Boar. 

But if Urswicke's countenance were forbidding, not so was his voice. Its clear, sweet tones were in such sharp contrast to the fell facethat De Lacy was startled into showing his surprise. And the priestnoticed it, as he had many times before in others, and smiled inindifferent contempt. 

During the refection, that was served immediately, Urswicke was mostamiable and paid particular attention to De Lacy and De Wilton. Bymost astute and careful conversation he sought to draw from theminformation as to the King's programme during the Autumn; how long hewould remain at Pontefract, and whither his course when he left there. Yet with all the art of an adept, he risked no direct question anddisplayed no particular interest in these matters, when by his verymanoeuvring they were touched upon. But De Wilton had been bred in theatmosphere of Gloucester's household and De Lacy had been trained byyears of service amid Italian and French plotters; and they bothquickly discerned that the Abbot and the Priest-Knight were workingtogether, and they only smiled and played them off against each other;and at the end of the meal, what the two had learned of Richard'sintentions was likely to be of scant profit to either Henry Tudor orhis scheming mother. 

"What a precious pair of priestly scoundrels!" De Wilton exclaimed, when he and De Lacy had mounted and were trotting toward the gate. 

"They will be the first knocked on the head if Raynor Royk has locatedthe Countess, " said Aymer. 

"By the saintly Benedict! why not do the knocking now and then hearRaynor's report?" De Wilton laughed. 

"It would give me great pleasure and doubtless be altogether proper asa matter of abstract justice; but I fear rather impolitic. Best waitfor Royk. "

But Royk's search was barren; and so the Abbot Aldam and SirChristopher Urswicke were left to their plotting, while Sir Aymer DeLacy and Sir Ralph De Wilton rode Westward, seeking vainly for a clueto the lost Lady of Clare. 

XVIII

THE HOUSE IN SHEFFIELD

Three weeks later, toward evening, Sir Aymer de Lacy with a dozen wearyand travel-stained men-at-arms rode into Sheffield and drew up beforethe Inn of the Red Lion. In fog and rain and sunshine, by day and bynight, they had kept to the search, and all in vain. 

The morning after leaving Kirkstall Abbey, De Lacy and De Wilton hadseparated. It was useless to hold so many men together when there wasno immediate prospect of a fight or even a hard stern chase; and therewould be much more profit in dividing them into small bodies and sospreading over a wider stretch of country. De Wilton with half of theforce turned Northward to cover the section beyond the Wharfe, while DeLacy with the others kept on toward Lancaster; and these he furtherdivided and subdivided until there was scarce a hamlet or bridle-pathin the West Riding that had not been visited. 

As the days passed with no fortune for him, and no word from the Kingof success elsewhere, he went from fierce anger to stern determinationand from headlong haste to dogged persistency. He had refused toentertain for an instant the notion that the Countess of Clare wasdead, though he knew that such had become the prevailing view at Court, and that even Richard himself was growing fearful lest murder hadfollowed the abduction. 

To the hasty and obsequious greetings of the landlord De Lacy gave onlya short nod and ordered lodging for himself and men. Choosing a smalltable in the farthest corner and in the shadow of the big chimney, heslowly sipped his wine. There were eight others in the room, butFlat-Nose was not of them. Three were merchants, traveling in company, possibly for protection on the road, and en route doubtless to York andits busy marts. They were gathered about an abundant meal spread atone end of the large table and were talking loudly of their business. At the other end of the board, their heads close together in subduedand earnest converse, were two Benedictines in the black tunic and gownof the Order. De Lacy had early learned on the Continent that atraveling monk usually meant mischief afoot for some one; and as fromtheir manner of talk they evidently had not been journeying together, but were just met, and possibly by prearrangement, it would be well hethought to keep them under a temporary surveillance. Over near thewindow in the rear of the room were two lusty-looking men-at-arms, eachwith a big mug of ale at his elbow; and as they wore no badge ofservice, they also would bear watching. The eighth and last was of DeLacy's own rank, but older by at least ten years; and he stared acrosswith such persistence that Aymer grew annoyed and drew back into theshadow. 

Until the night when he had lost his betrothed, Aymer de Lacy had beengenial, frank and open-hearted; taking life as it came, meeting managainst man in the open, searching not into the dark. But the outrageat the Hermit's Cell, and the days of distress which followed hadworked a change. He was growing cold and stern and distrustful;cautious of speech; reserved and distant in manner; seeking always fora clue behind even the most friendly face or cordial greeting; andholding every stranger under the ban of suspicion. 

At length having long since finished his wine, he was about to rap onthe table for the landlord when the front door opened and a young girlglided into the room. She wore the fancy dress of the tymbestere, ared bodice slashed and spangled, and a red skirt that came midwaybetween the knee and the ground, disclosing a pair of trim and shapelyankles and small feet. But as if to compensate for this display, herface was hidden by a black mask through which the eyes shone andsmiled, but which effectively concealed her other features. 

Pausing an instant, until satisfied she was observed by all, she begana slow and stately dance, timing her steps to the soft jingle of hertambourine. The girl had a lithe gracefulness and stately bearingunusual in those of her class--whose exhibitions were rather of thefast and furious kind with a liberal display of their forms--and whenwith a last low curtsy she ended, there was plenty of applause from allsave the two monks. They eyed her with a displeasure they took notrouble to conceal; and when she tripped lightly over to them andextended her tambourine for an offering they drew back sourly. 

"Avaunt, foul baggage!" the elder exclaimed. "Have you no shame to plyyour lewd vocation before a priest of God? Verily, you do well to hideyour face behind a mask. "

The girl drew back timidly, and with never a word in reply passed on tothe two men-at-arms. Here she got a different sort of greeting. 

"Do not fret your pretty eyes over that pair of hypocrites in black, yonder, " one of them exclaimed loudly and speaking directly at theBenedictines; "they are holy only in a crowd. If they met you whennone else were near, they would tear off each other's gowns to be thefirst in your favors. "

"Right, comrade mine, right!" laughed his companion, bringing his fistdown upon the table until the mugs rattled. 

The two monks turned upon them. 

"You godless men, " said one sternly; "it is well you bear no badge ofmaintenance, else would your lord have chance to work some wholesomediscipline upon you. "

But the men-at-arms only laughed derisively and made no response. 

Meanwhile the damsel had approached the strange Knight and sought agratuity. With ostentatious display he drew out a quarter noble anddropped it on the tambourine. Then as she curtsied in acknowledgmenthe leaned forward, and caught her arm. 

"Come, little one, show me your face, " he said. 

With a startled cry the girl sprang back and struggled to get free. But the Knight only smiled and drew her slowly to his knee, shiftinghis arm to her waist. 

"Pardieu! my dear, be not so timid, " he scoffed. "Kiss me and I mayrelease you. "

For answer she struck at him with the tambourine, cutting his chin withone of the metal discs so that the blood oozed out. 

"Little devil!" he muttered; and without more ado bent back her head, whispering something the while. 

With a last desperate effort to free herself, which was futile, andwith the dark face drawing with mocking slowness toward her own, sherealized her utter helplessness and cried appealingly for aid. 

In a trice, she was seized and torn away; and between her and herassailant, and facing him, stood Sir Aymer de Lacy, his arms folded anda contemptuous smile upon his lips. The next instant, without a word, the other plucked out his dagger and leaped upon him, aiming a thrustat his neck. By a quick step to the side Aymer avoided the rush, andas the other lurched by he struck him a swinging right arm blow behindthe ear that sent him plunging among the rushes on the floor, while thedagger rolled across to the farther wall. 

[Illustration: He struck him a swinging right arm blow that sent himplunging among the rushes on the floor. ]

"Bravo! Bravo!" cried the two men-at-arms. "Shall we throw him intothe street, my lord?"

He waved them back; and the Knight, who had been slightly dazed, struggled to his feet and looked about him. Then seeing De Lacy, whohad resumed his calmly contemptuous attitude, he grasped the situationand a wave of red anger crossed his face. But he was not of theblustering sort, it seemed, and drawing out a handkerchief he proceededcarefully to fleck the dirt and dust from his doublet and hose. Whenhe had removed the last speck, he bowed low. 

"Shall we settle this matter with swords or daggers, my lord?" he said, in French. 

"I think too much of my good weapons to soil them on one who assuredlyhas stolen the golden spurs he wears, " De Lacy replied scornfully. 

"My name is Sir Philebert de Shaunde and my escutcheon quite as ancientas your own, " with another bow. 

"It is a pity, then, it has fallen upon one who needs more than his ownword to sustain the claim. "

De Shaunde's face went red again and his voice trembled and was verysoft. "His Grace of Buckingham will be my voucher, though it willmisdemean him much as against one who has a tymbestere for mistress andis a coward, as well. "

De Lacy glanced quickly around the room:

"She is no longer here to feel your insults, " he said, "but it is herdue that I refute them. I never saw the maid until I saved her fromyour foul caress. As for my cowardice, good sir, I but protect myknighthood against a caitiff whose very touch is dark pollution. "

"I shall proclaim your refusal to accept my defiance before King andCourt and let them judge of the quarrel. "

"So be it--you will find me known there, " Aymer replied curtly; andsauntering back to his table he called for another bottle of wine. 

De Shaunde, however, stayed only long enough to give some order to thelandlord, who received it with rather scant courtesy; then with showyindifference, slapping his gauntlets against his leg as he walked, heleft the room by the street door just as Giles Dauvrey entered. Thesquire stood aside to let him pass, then crossed to his master. 

"Did you recognize that fellow?" De Lacy queried. 

"No, my lord. "

"He styles himself 'Sir Philebert de Shaunde. '"

Dauvrey scratched his head. "I am sure I never saw him before. "

"Well, it is small matter, but as we may see more of him hereafter itwill be wise to keep him in mind"--and he told of the encounter. 

"What became of the damsel?" the squire asked. 

"She disappeared during the scuffle; but doubtless the landlord canadvise you where to find her, " De Lacy said good-naturedly. 

"A most extraordinary tymbestere who refuses a Knight's caress, "Dauvrey explained. 

"But would not, you think, refuse a squire's?"

"Nay, my lord, what I think is that she might bear investigation. Sheis in disguise, I will stake my head. "

"How does that concern us?"

"Only as every mystery concerns us now. To solve one sometimes solvesanother. "

"It is a queer notion, Giles, but it will do no harm to question thehost. Meanwhile, I will await you without. "

Night had fallen and it was very dark save when, at intervals, thenarrow crescent of the new moon cut through the clouds that werecrowding one another in heavy ranks across the sky. Before the inn thestreet was illumined feebly by the reflection of the torches andcandles from within, and at wide intervals along the roadway lightshone from the houses. But all this only made more dense and visiblethe blackness that lay around. 

From far up the street came the sound of singing and laughter; and DeLacy, recognizing the voices of some of his own men, envied them theirlight hearts and freedom from care and sorrow. They lived for the day;the morrow was sufficient when it came. 

Presently the squire appeared. 

"It is as I suspected, " he said. "The girl has never before been seenabout the inn or even in the town. He says he knows all thetymbesteres for miles around, but this one is not of them. "

"It is a pity we had none to watch her when she left the room, " De Lacyreplied. "However, I hear our men making merry out yonder, and aftergoing with me to see that they are up to no serious mischief you are atliberty to devote the entire time until the morning in searching forthis mysterious maid--though it will be good sleep wasted, I have nodoubt. "

The two started down the road, keeping well in the centre where thewalking was likely to be easiest. There were no side paths and the waywas rough and full of holes. Stumbling along in the dark they came, after a little, to a house from the upper story of which a bright lightwas shining. De Lacy glanced indifferently at the window--then haltedshort and seizing Dauvrey's arm pointed upward. 

Just inside the open casement, and standing so that every line of hisface and shoulders was distinctly visible, was the man De Lacy and allthe royal commanders of England had been seeking for the last threeweeks. 

His thick red hair was bare of casquetel and there could be nomistaking that great, flat nose, even if there had not been the brightscar blazed across the face by Sir John de Bury's sword, and the short, thick-set figure to complete the identification. 

De Lacy's heart gave a great leap. Was this, then, the end of hischase? Was Beatrix in yonder house? Would he soon hold her in hisarms--or was he about to learn that she was lost to him for ever? Inthe tumultuous rush of feeling his power of quick decision left him forthe moment; but Dauvrey's muffled exclamation broke the spell. 

"It is he--Flat-Nose!"

"Aye!" De Lacy whispered, drawing the squire aside into the shadow. "He must be seized at once. Summon the men and surround the house. Iwill remain on guard. Hasten, Giles! In God's name, hasten!"

Dauvrey plunged away into the darkness and Aymer, choosing a positionfrom which he could best watch the window, but at the same time behimself hidden, settled back to his anxious wait. 

Flat-Nose was not alone; presently he began to speak to some one behindhim, and hoping to overhear the conversation, Aymer worked his way withgreat care across the road to the house. There were no lights on thelower floor, and the upper story, projecting a foot or more over thestreet, made him secure from observation. 

But the new position was very little better than the other one; and tryas he might he could not catch anything but an occasional word which, in itself, had no significance. He began to grow impatient--it seemedmost unduly long since Dauvrey had gone. 

Then a chair was shoved back in the room above and some one began tomove about. Suddenly a head was thrust out and Flat-Nose peered intothe darkness. 

"God in Heaven! what blackness!" he exclaimed. "The Devil's own nightfor a ride. . . No danger, " he went on, answering some remark fromwithin. "I know every path in Yorkshire. "

It was evident he was preparing to depart and De Lacy drew his swordand stood close beside the door. He wished only to disable the fellow;but he would kill him rather than suffer him to escape. Just then, anumber of forms came slowly out of the darkness and at a motion fromthe one in front flitted off toward the rear of the house. It wasDauvrey and the men, at last, and the Knight gave a sigh of relief. 

To avoid crossing the zone of light in regaining the place where he hadleft his master, the squire drew close to the house and so chanced uponhim. 

"Just in time, " De Lacy whispered, "Flat-Nose is going. "

An inside door was opened and a heavy step came down the stairs. Therewas a fumbling with the fastenings of the street door; then it swungback and a man stepped out and shut it behind him. 

The next instant two pairs of strong arms closed around him, De Lacy'shand fastened on his throat, he was borne to the ground, and before hecould struggle his legs were bound above the knees with Dauvrey's belt. His arms were then quickly secured and a piece of cloth thrust into hismouth as a gag. A low hiss brought the nearest soldier to guard himand De Lacy and the squire cautiously entered the house. 

It was darker there even than outside and they listened for a space;but all was quiet. Then working carefully along the wall, they founda door which stood ajar. De Lacy whispered to make a light, and thesquire, with as little noise as possible, struck the flint and ignitedthe bit of candle he always carried in his pouch. As it flamed timidlyup they peered about them. The place was empty, save for a table and afew chairs, but on each side was a door and in the rear the stairway tothe upper floor. An examination of the remaining two rooms was barrenof results; one was the kitchen and the other a sleeping chamber, butthe bed had not been disturbed. If the Countess of Clare were in thehouse she was on the next floor; and, at least, the man who had beenwith Flat-Nose must be there, so it would be two prisoners instead ofone if he were unable to give a good account of himself. 

The stairs were old and shaky and creaked and groaned as theycautiously ascended. And the noise was heard; for suddenly the door atthe head of the landing swung back--and Flat-Nose himself stood in theopening. 

"What is amiss, my lord?" he began--then stopped. "De Lacy!" he criedand springing back hurled the door shut. 

The appearance here of the man they thought was lying bound andhelpless in the road held both De Lacy and Dauvrey for an instant. Then with sudden fury they flung themselves up the last few steps andagainst the door. It yielded easily and they rushed into theroom--just as Flat-Nose leaped from the window ledge. And the fortunethat had befriended him so long still stood true, and a mocking laughcame back, as the darkness wrapped itself about him. 

De Lacy put his hand on the casement to follow when Dauvrey seized himfrom behind. 

"To the front, men, and after him!" he shouted through the window. . . "Your pardon, my dear lord, " he said with deep respect, "but you couldill afford to take such risk now. Hark, sir, they are already inpursuit. "

Sir Aymer nodded. "You are right, Giles. It would have gained naughtbut perchance a broken bone. He has escaped this time--on such a nightan army would be lost. . . But who, in the Fiend's name, is the fellowwe have below?"

Seizing the burning candle from the table, they hurried out, andbending over De Lacy flashed the light across the prisoner's face--andstarted back in vast amaze. 

"Holy St. Denis! Lord Darby!"

For a space he stood looking down upon him; then motioning toward thehouse he went within, and behind him Dauvrey and the guard bore thecaptive--and none too easy were their hands. 

In the front room De Lacy put down the candle. 

"Release him, " he ordered. . . "So, sir, you search for the Countessof Clare in company with her abductor. Truly, it is wondrous strangeyou have not found her. Tell me, my lord, might it be that though wemissed the servant we got the master?"

"What I can tell you, my French upstart, " Darby retorted, "is that thisnight's work will bring you heavy punishment. "

"Forsooth! From whom?"

"From me perchance; from the King surely. "

De Lacy laughed disdainfully. "You always were a braggart, I haveheard; yet you will need all your wits to save your own head whenarraigned before him. "

"Arraigned! Save my head! These are queer expressions for such as youto use to a Peer of England. "

"No more queer than for a Peer of England to be an abductor of women. "

"You are still pleased to speak in riddles, " Darby answered with ashrug. 

"Pardieu! it will be a riddle for which you have a shrewd answer readyfor His Majesty. "

"Methinks you have lost what little sense ever had and are notresponsible, " said Darby; "therefore I have the pleasure of wishing youa very good night, " and he turned toward the door. 

De Lacy laughed scornfully. 

"Not so fast, my lord, " he said. "You will have to bear with my poorcompany for a space. The King is at Lincoln. "

"What has that to do with me? . . . Stand aside, fellow, " as Dauvreybarred the way. 

For answer the squire drew dagger and the man-at-arms laid a heavy handon Darby's shoulder. It was useless to try bare fists against suchodds and he wheeled about. 

"What means this fresh outrage?" he demanded. 

"It means that you are my prisoner. "

"Your prisoner! And wherefore?"

"As the abductor of the Countess of Clare. "

Darby held up his hands in amazement. "Are you clean daft?" heexclaimed. 

"It is useless, my lord, longer to play the innocent, " said Aymer. "Either confess what has been done with the Countess or to the King yougo straightway. "

Darby shrugged his shoulders. "Since you have the rogues to obey youand I have not the information you desire, it must be to the King, " hesaid. "And the more haste you use to reach him the quicker will comemy time to even scores with you, " and he sat down and began to brushthe dirt from his garments. 

De Lacy eyed him in stern silence, his resentment growing fiercer as heheld it in restraint; while the squire, in equal anger, kept shootinghis dagger back and forth in its sheath as if impatient to use it. Andbut for the sake of the information Darby could furnish as to Beatrix, the dagger might have been suffered to do its work and De Lacy raise nohand to stay it. Nay, rather, would he have stood by and watched itstrike home with grim satisfaction. 

Presently Darby had finished with his clothes and glancing up met DeLacy's eyes. A taunting smile came to his lips and he began to whistlesoftly to himself. It was De Lacy who spoke first. 

"I should like to know, " said he, "how one of your craftiness could beso stupid as to carry off the Countess of Clare? What possible profitcould you think to gain?"

Darby did not answer at once. When he did, it was with a sneer. 

"Methinks, good sir, " he said, "you are too stupid to appreciate thatyou have, yourself, unwittingly advanced the best proof of myinnocence. Fools, you know, sometimes speak truth. "

"Aye, but even a fool would know that Flat-Nose and you were togetherin yonder upper room. Can you explain that, my dear lord?"

Darby laughed. "Naught easier, Sir Frenchman, if His Majesty deem itnecessary. You will pardon me, however, if I keep you waiting untilthen. "

"So be it. We start for Lincoln at daybreak. Have I your word to ridequietly and attempt no escape, rescue or no rescue?"

"And if I refuse the word?"

"Then shall you go bound hand and foot and strapped to saddle. "

"Pasque Dieu! It would be most uncomfortable riding, so I pass myword, " Darby replied carelessly. "But, understand me, it is noacknowledgment of your authority either to demand it or to receive it. "

"As to that I am answerable to the King, not to you, " said De Lacy. "And further, Sir Abductor, if you violate your word--which, indeed, Itrust but lightly--you will have an arrow through your carcass ere youhave gone two paces. I wish you good-night, " and leaving Dauvrey incommand he returned to the Red Lion. 

XIX

BACK TO THE KING

The door of the Inn was barred, and with the hilt of his dagger De Lacypounded sharply. It was the host, himself, who admitted him, and as hepassed in the man touched his arm. 

"May I have a word with you, my lord?" he whispered, and led the wayinto a small room in the rear. Closing the door very easily he laidhis ear against it, and then seeming satisfied came close over. 

"You are from the Court, my lord?" he said softly. 

"I am of the Court, but not directly from it. "

"Then you do not know if His Majesty fear an uprising in the South?"

De Lacy was instantly interested, though he answered indifferentlyenough. "Uprising! Not likely. Who is so far done with life as tomeditate such folly?"

"That I think I know, sir; and it is hatching as sure as Dunstan's asaint. "

"Which is anything but sure, my man. Come to the facts. "

"Do you recall the two monks and the Knight you punished because of thetymbestere. "

De Lacy nodded. 

"After your lordship went out the Knight returned and the three heldconference together. I myself served them with wine and heard some oftheir talk--only a chance word, sir; and they were most suspicious. They spoke of ships and troops, but I could not gain the sense of it. Once they let fall the word 'Richmond' and tried to catch it back ereit were out. Then they went above to the monks' room. Your worship'sroom is next to it------"

"Good, I will go up, " Aymer interrupted. 

The landlord stopped him. "It will be too late, sir. They have gone. "

"Diable!" De Lacy exclaimed. "Why did you not try to hear the rest oftheir talk?"

The man smiled shrewdly. "I did my best, sir. There is a spot wherethe wall in your lordship's room is very thin. I listened there, andthough I caught a sentence only now and then, yet I made it that theEarl of Richmond is to land in England with an army on the eighteenthof this present month. The Knight--De Shaunde, methinks they calledhim--comes from the Duke of Buckingham, and the two monks from LordStanley. Stanley declined to fall in with the proposals of Buckinghamand sent him warning to withdraw from the conspiracy at once, for hewas about to advise the King of Richmond's coming. So much I gathered, sir, from their conversation, though I cannot repeat their words. "

"How long have they been gone?"

"Some little time, sir. They rode Southward together. "

De Lacy strode to the front door and flung it open. A gust of wind andrain drove through, extinguishing the torch and blowing the smoulderingfire on the hearth into a flame. Without was a sea of darkness whichmade pursuit impossible and hopeless. Clearly there was naught to bedone till daybreak, and with an imprecation he turned away. 

Verily, this night was full of surprises. First, Flat-Nose . . . Then, Darby . . . And now a rebellion, with Buckingham traitor and Stanleytrue. Matters were getting complicated and required someconsideration. Of course, his first duty was to the King; to warn himof this invasion by Richmond and the insurrection in the South. Itsuperseded even his obligation to the Countess; and with the doggedfaith and discipline of a soldier he accepted the situation andprepared to act accordingly. 

Haste was essential; and as two could make more speed to Lincoln than adozen, the question was whether to go himself or to dispatch trustymessengers. Each course had its advantages and defects. If he went, he would be obliged to leave Lord Darby behind and trust Dauvrey tobring him to the King. Not to go, would be to seem lax in Richard'sservice, and possibly to miss the opening moves in the campaign, whichmust necessarily begin instantly and hurry Southward, and in which hewould perforce be obliged to take part the moment he did arrive. Forwell he foresaw that Richard would have no time to devote to theCountess' affairs at such a crisis. The business of the individual, however much a favorite, must needs give place to a struggle for aKingdom and a Crown. 

Yet he was loath to let Darby out of his own grasp and, for an instant, he was minded to stake all on one throw. He was firmly persuaded thatDarby could disclose the Countess' whereabouts, if she were still ofthis world. Why not put him to the torture and wring the truth fromhim? Success would excuse, nay, approve such measures. . . But tofail! Mon Dieu! No; decidedly, no! It would be folly pure andchildish. Only the long strain and his stress of feeling would havesuggested it. Then he thought of sending Darby to Pontefract and, onthe authority of the King's ring, place him in confinement there untila more favorable period. But this, too, was dismissed, and he cameback to the original problem: whether himself to hurry to Lincoln or tosend a message. 

There was but one wise choice, however, as he had appreciated allalong, though he had fought against it; and now he took it but withsore reluctance. Wrapping his cloak about him, he motioned for thelandlord to unbar the door and plunged out into the storm. In the faceof the gale and pounding rain, through mud and water, he presentlyregained the house where he had left his men. 

Drawing the squire aside he related the host's story and his ownpurpose of hastening on to warn the King. To Dauvrey he gave commandof the party and full instructions as to the custody of the prisonerand the course to pursue when Lincoln was, reached. Then directingthat one of the men be sent to the inn at daybreak to attend him, hereturned once more to his lodgings and retired. 

Morning brought no change in the weather; and when he rode off, at thefirst touch of light, the rain was still falling with a monotonousregularity that gave small hope for betterment. 

Save a shirt of Italian steel, worn beneath his doublet, De Lacy waswithout armor, only a thick cloak being thrown over his ordinaryclothes. It was a long ride to Lincoln ere nightfall, even in the bestof weather; but to make it now was possible only with the very lightestweight in the saddle and good horse-flesh between the knees. No onehorse--not even Selim--could do the journey over such roads without arest, so he left him for Dauvrey to bring; depending upon being able torequisition fresh mounts from the royal post that had been establishedlately along this highway. Nor was he disappointed. The Boar and hisown name, for he was known now throughout England as one high in theHousehold, got him quick service and hearty attention, and he made thebest speed possible under the circumstances; though it was often poorenough to cause him to grit his teeth in helpless despair and anxiety. League after league was done no faster than a walk; the horse, at everystep, sinking into the mud far above fetlock, and coming to the reliefstation completely exhausted. And all the day the rain poured downwithout cessation, and the roads grew heavier and more impassable untilthey were little else than running streams of dirty water pierced, hereand there, by the crest of a hill that poked its head out like asubmerged mountain. 

But through it all, with head bent low on his breast, and bonnet pulledfar down over his eyes, De Lacy forged ahead, tarrying only long enoughat the stations to change mounts. 

At mid-day half the distance had been covered, and as evening drew nearthey crossed the Trent and, presently, were out of Yorkshire. Then asnight closed about them, the lights of Lincoln glimmered faint in thefore, and shaking up the tired horses they hastened on. And at lastthe castle was reached; the guards at the outer gate, recognizing theKing's Body-Knight, saluted and fell back; and with a sigh of relief, De Lacy swung down from his saddle, the long ride over at last. 

Just within the corridor he came upon Sir Ralph de Wilton, who startedforward in surprise:

"By all the Saints! De Lacy! . . . But are you drowned or in theflesh?"

"Both, methinks. Where are my quarters--or have none been assigned me?"

"Your room is next mine. Come, I will show the way; for by my faith, you need a change of raiment; you are mud and water from bonnet tospur. What in the Devil's name sent you traveling on such a night?"

"The King's business, Ralph; ask me no more at present. . . HisMajesty is in the castle?"

"Aye! and in the best of fettle, " De Wilton answered good-naturedly. "Here are your quarters; and that they are saved for you shows yourposition in the Court. The place is crowded to the roof. "

"I fancy I can thank you rather than my position--at any rate, Ralph, squire me out of these clothes; they cling like Satan's chains. "

"I would I could cast those same chains off as easily, " De Wiltonreplied, as he unlaced the rain-soaked doublet and flung it on thecouch. "Tell me, Aymer, did you find aught of . . . Of her?"

"No and yes, " De Lacy answered, after a silence, "I did not find theCountess nor any trace of her, but I saw Flat-Nose. "

"The Devil! . . . And took him?"

De Lacy shook his head. 

"Killed him?"

"Nor that, either--he escaped me. "

"Damnation! . . . However it is better than that he die with taleuntold. "

"That is my only consolation. Yet I shall kill him whene'er the chancebe given, tale or no tale. "

"Where did you see the knave?"

"At Sheffield--and with whom, think you?"

"This whole matter has been so mysterious I cannot even guess, " said DeWilton. 

"And wide would you go of the clout if you did, " De Lacy replied, as heflung a short gown about his shoulders and turned toward the door. "Itwas Lord Darby. "

"Darby! Darby! . . . Mon Dieu, man! are you quite sure?"

Aymer laughed shortly. 

"Methinks I am quite sure, " he said. "And now I must away to the King. "

"So you have come back to us at last, " said Richard graciously, as DeLacy bent knee; "but I fear me, without your lady. "

"Aye, Sire, without her. It is your business that has brought me. "

"Pardieu!" the King exclaimed; "we gave you leave indefinite. Untilyou were willing to abandon the search you need not have returned. "

"Your Majesty misunderstands. No vain notion of being needed here hasbrought me; but danger to your crown and life--Buckingham istraitor--Richmond lands this day week as King. "

"So! St. Paul! So!" Richard muttered, gnawing at his lower lip. "Atlast . . . At last . . . And earlier by six months than I hadthought. . . Yet, better so; it will be ended all the sooner. . . Where did you get this news and how?"

"At Sheffield, last night. "

"Last night!--When did you leave Sheffield?"

"At daybreak. The rain and darkness delayed me until then. "

"By St. George! plead no excuse. It was an amazing ride in suchweather. "

"I made bold to use the post horses; but it was heavy labor even forthem. "

"And for you as well, my good De Lacy. This King thanks you--perchancethe next one will not, " and he laughed queerly. 

"It is this King I serve; not the next one. "

"I believe you, " said Richard, putting his hand on Aymer's shoulder. "Now let me hear the story. "

And De Lacy told it in the fewest words he could; making no mention ofFlat-Nose or Darby. 

For a while Richard sat quiet, pulling at his chin. 

"What a miserable scoundrel Stanley is, " he said presently. "Herefuses Stafford because he scents failure ahead; and is ready to makecapital of a trusting friend by betraying him to his doom. For well hesees that Buckingham has gone too far to recede. I would he had stoodwith them, --his own scheming Countess and Buckingham. Then I couldhave wiped all of them out at one blow. " He struck the bell. "Summonthe Master of Horse, " he ordered. 

"Ratcliffe, " he said, when the latter entered, "Buckingham revolts onthe eighteenth; Richmond lands in England that same day. Dispatchinstantly to the Lord Chancellor for the great seal, and havecommissions of array drawn. Let messengers start with the sun to allthe royal domains and summon hither every man who can wield a sword ordraw a bow. What's the weather?"

"There is no improvement, my liege. "

"It will, of a surety, have rained itself out by morning. For it tocontinue means a slow muster, and the time is all too short as it is, "the King said meditatively. "And hark you, further, " he broke outsuddenly, "let word go to Lord Stanley at Lathom, this night yet, ofthis matter, bidding him instantly gather his retainers and report atNottingham. "

Ratcliffe hurried away, to return almost instantly with a packet whichhe gave the King. 

"From Stanley, " he said. "It arrived but this moment. "

Richard flashed a smile across to De Lacy. 

"He moves quickly, by St. Paul!" . . . Then with a touch of sarcasm:"Hold a bit, Ratcliffe; perchance our news may be a trifle old inLathom. " He broke the seals and spread the parchment under the candleson the table. It ran:

"To Our Sovereign Lord the King:

"It has come to us that Henry Tudor, styled Earl of Richmond, intendsto sail with an army from St. Malo, on the twelfth day coming of thepresent month, and will adventure to land at the town of Plymouth onthe sixth day thereafter, there and then to proclaim himself King. According, will we muster instantly our Strength and proceed, with alldispatch, to meet Your Majesty at Nottingham, or wheresoever it may bewe are commanded. 

"Written with humble allegiance and great haste at our Castle ofLathom, this tenth day of October. 

"Stanley. "

"It will be unnecessary to advise the Lord Stanley--he has alreadylearned of the matter, " said Richard--and Ratcliffe hurried away. Hepassed the letter to De Lacy. "Read it. . . Now you see the depth andforesight of this man. But for your chance discovery and furious ridehe would have been the first to warn me of this danger. Note hisshrewdness: he does not mention Buckingham, but only the Tudor, his ownstep-son; and hence the greater will seem his loyalty. And by St. Paul! he bests me. I must accept his message at its seeming value; forhe will now follow it by prompt action. Yet his motive is as plain asGod's sun: he would hasten Buckingham to the block, and himself to hisdead friend's offices. Well, so be it. When I can read his purposes Ihold him half disarmed. He shall be Constable of England--have thetitle without its dangerous powers. The higher he go the further thefall when he stumble, " and the dagger went down into its sheath with aclick. . . "Pardieu, De Lacy! it would seem that you are ever gettinginto my confidences. But then neither do you like the Stanley. "

"So little, Sire, that I shall hope to see that stumble. "

"It will be a passing grateful sight to many another also, I warrant. "Then with one of those quick shifts of thought characteristic of hisactive mind: "Did you find naught of the Countess of Clare in all theseweeks?"

"I came upon a clue last night, " De Lacy answered. 

"And let it slip to hasten hither?"

"Not exactly; the clue will follow me here. "

"Follow you? Explain. "

"I found Flat-Nose in Sheffield. "

"And caught him?"

"Alas! no; he escaped in the darkness, but we captured his companion. He is the clue that follows. "

"Was there anything about him to show what lord he serves?"

"He serves Your Majesty. "

"What, sir!--Serves me?"

Aymer bowed. "It is Lord Darby. "

The King raised his eyebrows and fell to stroking his chin again; thenarose and began to pace the room. 

"Pardieu, man! but you have brought a budget of surprises, " he said. "Are you sure it was Flat-Nose? You have never seen him. "

"He fit Sir John de Bury's words as the glove the hand--my squire wasas convinced as myself. "

"Give me the full details. "

The King listened with a frown, but at the end he made no comment. 

"Let Lord Darby be brought before me as soon as he arrives, " he saidsimply. "Meanwhile you are excused from attendance till the morrow. Good night. . . By St. Paul! this Darby business is untimely, " hesoliloquized. "He has some strength in Yorkshire, and it will beunwise to estrange it at this crisis. Yet appearances are dark againsthim, and if he have no adequate explanation he dies. . . But if hehave a good defence, why not accept it for the nonce? And then, afterBuckingham has shot his foolish bolt, look deeper into the matter. . . Now as to this rebellion, " resuming his walk back and forth, "it willrequire six days for the seal to come from London. Therefore to-morrowshall the Commissioners go North and East with an order under my ownseal, and the formal authority can follow after them--they can levy inthe interval and muster later. " Pausing at the window he swung backthe casement. "Parbleu! how it rains . . . It will flood every riverin England . . . And it will fight for us. I will destroy the bridgesof the Severn; Buckingham will be unable to pass; his juncture withRichmond and the Southern rebels will be prevented--and I can mass mystrength and cut them up in detail. "

Then with his own hand he wrote the orders to Sir Thomas Vaughan, Riceap Thomas, and others of the royal captains and trusty Yorkistadherents in Wales and Shropshire; and lastly he indited aproclamation, wherein Henry Stafford was declared a traitor, and areward of a thousand pounds put upon his head. These finished, andconfided to Ratcliffe for forwarding, Richard sought the Queen'sapartments and remained in converse with her for an hour, but saidnever a word of the occurrences of the evening lest they disturb hernight's repose. It would be time enough in the morning for her tobegin again the old fear for her lord's life--for his crown she carednot a whit. 

XX

IN ABEYANCE

And on the morrow there was great stir and rustle and preparation. Those lords and barons in attendance at Court who were from thevicinity went off to gather their following; and those from distantparts of the Kingdom sent commands to their constables or stewards tohasten hither their very last retainer and every man available forservice with the King. 

About noon Richard called his principal officers together in council toconsider who were liable to join with Buckingham in the revolt. Thathe had confederates of power and prestige was certain enough; fordespite his oft-repeated boast that as many wore the Stafford Knot ashad once displayed the Bear and Ragged-Staff of the King-Maker, andreckless as he was, yet it was not likely he would attempt to measurehimself against the King--and that King the great Gloucester--withoutsubstantial assistance and cooperation of others of the Nobility. Norwas it easy to fix upon these confederates. The old, pronouncedLancastrian lords were either dead or in exile, and there was littleelse than general family relationship or former family affiliation, that could guide the judgment. And the session was long and tiresomeand not particularly satisfactory, for of all the names gone over, onlythe Marquis of Dorset and the Courtneys of Exeter seemed likelytraitors, and yet it was very certain there must be many more. 

As De Lacy passed into the antechamber Lord Darby came forward andconfronted him. 

"I have come as I gave parole, " he said haughtily. "It is nowwithdrawn, and I demand that you straightway prefer your charge. "

"So be it, " said De Lacy, and bowed him into the presence of the King. 

Richard eyed Darby with searching sternness, as he bent knee beforehim, nor did he extend his hand for the usual kiss; and his voice wascoldly judicial as without pause or preliminary he began:

"We are informed, Lord Darby, of the happenings last night in the townof Sheffield. You have demanded to be brought before the King and haverefused explanation to another. Such is your warrant and privilege asa Peer of England. You are accused by Sir Aymer de Lacy with beingconcerned in the abduction of the Countess of Clare. What have you toanswer?"

"That I am not guilty, Sire; and I defy the foreign upstart who bringsthe accusation. "

The King frowned. "Be so good, my lord, as to answer our questionswithout recriminations, " he said sharply. "Then, being innocent, willyou explain how it was that you were in conference with the fellowknown as 'Flat-Nose, ' who was the leader of the abductors?"

Lord Darby smiled blandly. 

"Naught easier, my liege. The fellow who was with me at the house inSheffield, last night, was not that villain but my own chiefman-at-arms. "

"Has he not a flat nose and------" De Lacy broke in; but Richardsilenced him with a gesture. 

"Describe this retainer of yours, " he ordered. 

"He is stout of build and medium in height; his hair is red, his facebroad, and he has a heavy nose, so broken by a sword hilt that itmight, indeed, be termed flat, " Darby answered. 

"How long has he been in your service?"

"For years, Sire--at least a dozen. "

"Where was he on the day and evening of the abduction?"

"The day, in the evening of which I understand the Countessdisappeared, " Darby began with easy confidence, "I rode from my castleof Roxford in early morning, en route for Pontefract and the Court. This under officer of mine, Simon Gorges by name, who has, it seems, been taken for the villain called Flat-Nose, was left at the castle, where he remained in command until my return some seven daysthereafter. I myself lodged at the Abbey of Kirkstall, that night, andwas making my adieu to the Abbot, the next morning, when this . . . This . . . Knight"--indicating De Lacy by a motion of histhumb--"arrived with news of the outrage. Then I hastened toPontefract and joined in the search, as Your Majesty knows. "

"You have been most detailed as to your own movements at that time, butvery meagre as to those of your servant, " the King remarked dryly. "You left him, you say, at your castle on the morning of the abduction, and found him there, a week later, on your return. Bethink you that isany proof he remained there in your absence?"

"It is very true there is a wide break in my own observation, " Darbyanswered with instant frankness; "yet I know absolutely that he was notbeyond my own domain during my absence. It is some queer resemblancebetwixt him and this Flat-Nose. And by my faith, Sire, broken nosesand red hair are not such a rarity that Simon Gorges should be the onlyone to possess them. "

"That may be; but they are enough, in this instance, to put that sameSimon Gorges on suspicion, and quite to justify Sir Aymer de Lacy inarresting you and carrying you hither; and particularly when youscorned to offer him any explanation. For you must know, my lord, hewears the Ring of the Boar, and what he does is in my name. "

"Perchance, I was hasty, Sire, but I did not know of the Ring; it wasnever shown me. And poor indeed were the manhood that would not resentthe manner of my seizure--the gyves and arrogant address of yourBody-Knight. "

"Will Your Majesty ask Lord Darby, " Sir Aymer exclaimed, "why thisflat-nosed Simon Gorges, as quickly as he saw me, sprang from thewindow crying: 'De Lacy! De Lacy!' and fled into the darkness? If hebe innocent, wherefore such action?"

"You hear, my lord?" said Richard. "Can you explain?"

"That I cannot, " Darby replied. "Perchance, Gorges has had troublesome time with Sir Aymer de Lacy or his household; though, of course, of that I know nothing. But I do know, Sire, that not I nor mine, withmy knowledge, had aught to do with the outrage upon De Bury and theCountess. It would be most humiliating to have been under even aninstant's suspicion of such a crime, but to be arrested and arraignedbefore one's King. . . Bah! it is deeper degradation than words cansound, " and he folded his arms and stared, vacantly and with drawnface, straight before him. 

"It is the misfortune of a red-haired, flat-nosed servant, my lord, "said Richard; "best give him his quittance and a new master. Meanwhile, be not so downcast. --I accept your explanation. "

Lord Darby dropped upon his knee, and now the King gave him his hand. 

"We will put your gratitude and allegiance to the proof, " he said, fixing Darby's eyes with his own and holding them. "The Duke ofBuckingham and the Tudor Henry rise in rebellion seven days hence. Weneed an army within that time. Go, collect your retainers, and join mewithout an hour's delay. "

"Your Majesty is very gracious to make but my liege service the earnestof my faith and word. I ride for Roxford this instant, " and with agraceful salute to the King, and a sneering smile at De Lacy he leftthe apartment. 

Richard's quick change--after his searching questions and sternfront--in suddenly accepting Darby's assertion of innocence anddismissing him with honor, came to De Lacy like a blow in the face. Had he been within reach when Darby flaunted him, not even the royalpresence would have held his arm. As it was, with a stiff bow he waswithdrawing, when Richard laughed. 

"Are you displeased, Sir Aymer?" he said kindly. 

"It is not for me to question the conduct of the King, " De Lacyanswered respectfully. 

"You are surprised, then?"

"Marry, yes! Sire; that I am. "

"Only because you have never had to study men to use them. It is notRichard Plantagenet's wont to discuss his decisions with another; yetin this instance, because you are led by no whit of selfishness butsolely by love for your betrothed, I will make exception. Surely, yousaw there was no evidence sufficient to condemn Darby. If you had everseen this Flat-Nose it would have been another matter. Butresemblances are not conclusive; and in the face of his explanation andabsolute denial, the case against him fell for want of proof. Mark me, I do not say that he is innocent; and when the struggle with Buckinghamis over we will go deeper into this mystery. "

"Then Your Majesty has not sacrificed the Countess of Clare for LordDarby's retainers?" De Lacy asked pointedly. 

Richard smiled good naturedly. 

"It is a just question, Sir Aymer, " he said; "yet be assured I have nothought to sacrifice Beatrix. At this exigency, I have not an instantto devote to aught but this insurrection. I do not fear Darby--thoughhe would desert to the rebels without hesitation if he thought it wouldadvantage him--but Stanley's course will be his also--it will prove tohim there is no hope for the Tudor. Furthermore, assuming that thisGorges is Flat-Nose, he has warned those in charge of the Countess--if, as God grant, she be alive--and to imprison or to kill Darby would besimply to hang more awful peril over her, and aid not a jot the findingof her prison. As it is, Darby must bring this Simon Gorges with him, or raise fresh suspicion by leaving him behind. Yet he has two chancesto escape even if he be guilty. Sir John de Bury is still ill atPontefract, and as he alone knows Flat-Nose, Darby may confidentlyproduce Gorges; and then have him removed by a chance arrow or swordthrust during the coming campaign. The other chance hangs upon thetriumph of Buckingham and Darby's desertion to him at the criticalinstant. In such event, he can frankly acknowledge the abducting ofthe Countess without fear of punishment and force her to wed him. TheTudor would be glad enough to pay the debt so cheaply. "

"Perchance Darby may force the fellow to confess that he alone isguilty, " De Lacy suggested. 

"A man is not so ready to condemn himself to death, " Richard answered;"and to confess would necessitate all the details, and in the mazeDarby could not escape ensnarement. "

"Might it not have been well, Sire, to detain him and dispatch a forceto search Roxford? Many a time were we near it, but then, alas, nosuspicion rested upon him. "

The King shook his head. "That might have been proper a fortnightsince, but it is so no longer. Every soldier is needed with the armynow, and it would require a goodly force to reduce Roxford, if you weremet with a lifted bridge; though methinks you would be received mostcourteously--and find your quarry flown; if she was there, Flat-Nosehas removed her since the adventure at Sheffield. "

"Your Majesty is right, " said Aymer; "I crave pardon for my ungratefuldoubt. "

"Nay, nay, I do not blame you. Only remember, De Lacy, that Richardthe King is not Richard the man. The man sympathizes with you andtrusts you; but he must be the King to do you service and aid yourquest. . . Nay, do not thank me. When we have crushed Stafford andTudor, rescued Beatrix, and you are Earl of Clare, it will be timeenough for gratefulness. "

XXI

BUCKINGHAM'S REVENGE

Three weeks from that day Richard Plantagenet, with his army, lay atSalisbury; the rebellion of Buckingham wholly quelled and the leadersfugitives with a price upon their heads. 

The conspirators had perfected well their plans and at the same hourthrew off the mask. On the morning of the eighteenth, Sir Thomas St. Leger--the King's own brother-in-law--the Marquis of Dorset, and thetwo Courtneys, proclaimed Henry Tudor in Exeter; Sir John Cheney raisedthe standard of revolt in Wiltshire; Sir William Norris and Sir WilliamStoner in Berkshire, and Sir John Browne, of Bletchworth, and Sir JohnFogge in Kent. Buckingham with all his force marched from Brecknockand set out, by way of Weobley and through the forest of Dean, toGloucester, there to cross the Severn. That it was his purpose tothrow himself in Richard's path, and risk a battle without waiting fora juncture with his confederates, is altogether likely. Stafford wasever rash and foolish; and never more so, indeed, than in this presententerprise. 

But whatever his intention may have been, it was thwarted by thevisitation of a power more potent than all the hosts of the King. Nature, herself, frowned upon him and his schemes and swept them all toruin in the rush of angry waters. The rain that began the day SirAymer De Lacy made his forced ride from Sheffield to Lincoln hadcontinued with but indifferent diminution for the whole of thefollowing week. As a result, the greatest flood the West of Englandever knew poured down through the Severn and its tributaries, destroying fords and bridges, overwhelming hamlets and villages, anddrowning scores upon scores of the inhabitants. In the face of thishostile manifestation of Providence, which washed out ardor and breddisaffection and something of superstitious terror, as it held themfast behind the impassable river, Buckingham's followers began towaver; then to drop away; and finally, when it became known that hisvery castle of Brecknock had been seized by Sir Thomas Vaughan, andthat almost before he was out of sight of its towers, they forsook himforthwith, as rats a sinking ship. 

All these matters came to the King by messengers from time to time; forhe had paid no heed to Buckingham, but had hurried Southward, gatheringhis forces as he went. His strategy was to throw himself betweenStafford and his confederates; cut the latter up in detail; and thenhurl himself upon the Earl of Richmond at the quickest possible moment. But as the royal army advanced into the disaffected districts, therevolt faded away like fog before the sun; and without striking a blowor laying lance in rest, it marched into Salisbury. And thus it wasthat when the Tudor arrived off Plymouth, he found no greeting but anadverse wind and a hostile populace. So he wore ship and turned backto Brittany, making no effort to aid those who had proclaimed him atrisk of life and fortune. But such was ever Henry's way. 

In these days of strain and striving Sir Aymer de Lacy had few hours ofleisure. He who was of the Third Richard's household must needs keeppace with a master in whose slender body was concentrated the energy ofmany men, and who in times of war never rested nor grew tired. 

The Darby episode had been whispered through the Court; and speculationwas rife as to the truth of the accusation. Nor was it set at restwhen he overtook the array without the flat-nosed Simon Gorges amonghis retainers. The King, however, seemed to treat him as though thematter were ended; and the courtiers, noting it, were quick to trim tothe royal wind. 

Yet on the very night of Darby's arrival, had Richard held council withDe Lacy, and secret instruction had gone forth to keep him underconstant surveillance and on no account whatever to permit him toseparate from the army. 

"It is suspicious, this course of his, " the King said; "but for thepresent, it will profit nothing to tax him with it. Let him thinkhimself trusted; and perchance the doings of the next few weeks maydisclose something that will clear our path of doubt and show thetruth. If not, then shall this Gorges be brought before Sir John deBury and in our presence, though we ride to Pontefract for the purpose. Meanwhile, do you avoid his lordship, and permit no brawling betweenhis retainers and your own. Ratcliffe shall caution him, also, andmost peremptorily in this particular. Later, if he be acquittanced ofthe crime, you may settle the quarrel as you see fit. "

And while there had been sore provocations on both sides, for each wentas near the line of open rupture as he dared, yet when Salisbury wasreached, the command had not been disregarded; though it was veryevident to the Household, and perchance to Richard, too--for he missedlittle that went on about him--that at the first skirmish with therebels, a certain private feud would be worked out to a conclusionwherein but one of the participants would be left to couch lance forthe King. 

On this Sunday morning, De Lacy was crossing the courtyard of the BlueBoar Inn when he was attracted by a shouting and evident excitementtoward the North gate of the town, and which grew rapidly nearer. Thenup the street, at a quick trot, came a clump of spears followed by amass of soldiers, camp followers and citizens on a run. All werebrought up sharply by the guards, stationed a hundred yards or sobeyond the royal lodgings; but after a short parley, the horsemen werepermitted to pass. The device on the banneret was new to Aymer, and, knowing it belonged to none of those now with the army, and curious asto what could have attracted the rabble, he waited. 

Before the inn, from which floated the royal standard, they drew up, and the leader, an elderly Knight of heavy countenance and rotund framewho carried his visor up, dismounted, and, saluting Sir Aymer de Lacy, whose handsome dress evidenced his condition and rank, demanded instantaudience with the King. 

"His Majesty has but lately returned from Mass, " said De Lacy; "but ifyour business be of immediate importance, I will announce you. "

The other laughed swaggeringly. 

"I am Sir Thomas Mitten, Sheriff of Shropshire, " he said; "and methinksmy business is of most immediate importance, good sir, seeing that Ibring with me the traitor, Henry Stafford. "

"St. Denis! Buckingham a prisoner!" De Lacy exclaimed. 

"Yonder--among my men. Think you not I shall be welcome?"

For answer, De Lacy turned on his heel, and, leaving the Sheriff tofind his way to the King the best he could, strode over to thehorsemen. Motioning them peremptorily aside, he extended his hand tothe tall, ruddy-haired man in the stained and torn velvet. 

"Believe me, Stafford, " he said, "it is a sad day to me that sees youhere. I hoped you had escaped. "

A spasm of anger swept over the Duke's face; then he smiled and seizingDe Lacy's fingers gripped them hard. 

"But for treachery and ingratitude baser than Hell's deepest damned youwould not see me here, " he said. "And it is a brave and noble heartthat beneath the Plantagenet's very eye dares show open friendship forthe traitor Buckingham. God knows it is sweet after my life lately;yet be advised, De Lacy, it is dangerous to your standing and, mayhap, your liberty as well; best pass me by on the other side. "

Aymer made a gesture of dissent. "The King trusts me, " he said. "Hewill not doubt my faith. "

Stafford laughed sarcastically. "Pardieu! has the Devil turned saintthat Gloucester has come to trust a mortal man! At least, I shall soonsee if it has changed his fierce spirit, for here is Ratcliffe to leadme to the Presence. . . Does our Cousin of England desire our company, Sir Richard? If so, we are quite ready to embrace him. "

But Ratcliffe was not one to do his present duty with levity on histongue, and he bowed with stiff formality. 

"Will you come with me, my lord?" he said. 

"_Au revoir_, De Lacy, " smiled the Duke. "Now, to brave the Boar inhis lair and see him show his tusks. "

And with an air of easy indifference, this man, for whom the world hadheld such vast possibilities if he had but known how to attain them, went to meet his doom. For that his life was forfeited Stafford wellknew; he had been taken in arms against the King and death would be hisportion. 

Yet the judgment came with a stern swiftness that startled the entireCourt; and within the very hour that Shropshire's Sheriff enteredSalisbury, was the scaffold for the execution being put in place in thecourtyard of the inn. 

From the window of the room in which he was confined, Buckingham idlywatched the work; and as he stood there, the King and the Duke ofNorfolk came forth with a few attendants and rode gayly away. 

A scowl of darkest hatred distorted his face, and he shook his fist atRichard--then laughed; and the laugh grew into a sneer, that after thefeatures were composed again still lingered about the mouth. 

"It was well for the Plantagenet he did not grant the interview, " hemuttered; "else------" From within his doublet, he took a long silvercomb, such as men used to dress their flowing hair and of which, naturally, he had not been deprived, and touching a secret spring, drewfrom the heavy rim a slender dagger. 

"It is a pretty bit of Italian craft and methinks would have cut sureand deep, " he mused. He felt the blade and tested its temper bybending it nigh double . . . "Why should I not cheat yonder scaffoldand scorn the tyrant to the end?" . . . Then with calm determinationreturned it to its sheath. "It would give them cause to dub me coward, and to say I would have weakened at the final moment. A Stafford darenot risk it. "

He turned again to the window--and started forward with surprise. "Darby! By all the devils in Hell! Here, with the King. . . Thefalse-hearted scoundrel! With him, at least, I can square off. "

He struck the door sharply; it opened and Raynor Royk stepped withinand saluted. 

"Will you deliver a message for me?" Buckingham asked, offering him arose-noble. 

The old soldier drew back. 

"I am not for sale, Sir Duke, " he said. "What is the message?"

"For Sir Aymer de Lacy, my good fellow. Tell him I pray a moment'sconversation on a matter of grave importance. "

Without a word Royk faced about and went pounding down the passage. 

Presently a light, quick step came springing up the stairway, and DeLacy entered and closed the door behind him. 

"You sent for me?" he said. 

"Aye, Sir Aymer, and I thank you for the coming. Tell me, when didLord Darby join the King?"

"About a week since; though he left us at Lincoln on the seventeenth togather his retainers. "

"Bah! I might have known it!" the Duke exclaimed. "It was he, then, that betrayed our plans to Richard. God in Heaven, that I might havehim by the throat!" and he clinched his hands in fury. 

"Was Darby forewarned of your revolt?" De Lacy asked. 

"Forewarned! Forewarned! The dog helped me arrange and mature it. Heswore he hated Richard. "

"Doubtless he did--and does so still, it was not he who betrayed you. "

Stafford stared incredulously. 

"Then how, in Satan's name, comes he here now?" he demanded. 

"I can answer that better after I know his part with you--may I sendfor Ratcliffe?"

"As you wish, " was the reply. 

That the Master of Horse was surprised at the summons was very evident;and he turned to De Lacy questioningly. 

"The Duke has certain information touching Lord Darby which must beconfided to some one else than me, " Sir Aymer explained. 

Ratcliffe nodded. "Since your quarrel with Lord Darby such a coursewere very wise. "

"I know nothing of Darby's quarrel with Sir Aymer de Lacy, " saidStafford, "but I have seen him here and have learned that he joinedRichard at Lincoln, the day prior to that set for the revolt, so Idenounce him as a double traitor--traitor to the King, forsworn to me. It was he--he and that hawk-faced priest Morton--who, ere we leftWindsor and on all the march to Gloucester, urged and persuaded me toturn against the King. He visited me at Brecknock to arrange details;was there only four days before he deserted me at Lincoln. It was hewho was to lead the rising in West Yorkshire. The only reward he askedwas my promise for the new King that he be permitted to marry theCountess of Clare. "

"The Countess of Clare!" De Lacy exclaimed. 

"Yes--she of the ruddy locks and handsome face and figure. He saidthey loved each other, but that Richard had laughed at their affectionand their prayers and had bade her prepare to marry another. Consequently, to avoid all danger of her being forced into the nuptialsbefore the revolt, they had arranged that she be abducted by some ofhis men, and then lie concealed in his castle until after Richard weredeposed. And it seems they did effect their plan--at least, so he toldme the last time he came to Brecknock. But methinks he is no betteroff now, so far as the Countess is concerned. "

"Rather the worse off, I fancy, " said Ratcliffe. "Two months since, with the King's approbation, the Countess of Clare became the affiancedbride of Sir Aymer de Lacy; and Lord Darby's tale, as to her love forhimself and Richard's treatment of them, is pure falsehood. "

The Duke looked at him in sharp surprise; then shrugged his shoulders. 

"Pasque Dieu! I have been an easy dupe, " he said. "A child inintrigue should have picked the flaw though he were half asleep. Yetit was a pretty enough story--a loving lady, a frowning King, a falseabduction. . . And all a lie. "

"All but the abduction--that is true enough, " said Ratcliffe. 

Buckingham frowned slightly. "I do not follow you, my lord. Methoughtyou said the Countess was betrothed to Sir Aymer. "

"And so she is--yet she has been abducted, none the less, these fourweeks back, and no trace of her been found. Now, however, you havefurnished the clue. "

"Nay, simply confirmed the one we had, " exclaimed Sir Aymer de Lacy, who from sheer fury had been too choked to speak; "and I have done withwaiting--already two weeks have been wasted. If the King want me lethim send to Roxford Castle. "--His hand was on the door when Ratcliffeseized his arm. 

"Compose yourself, De Lacy, " he said kindly yet sternly. "Have youlearned Richard so little as to think that even we of the Ring daredisobey him?"

"Nor forget, Sir Aymer, " added the Duke quickly, "it will be my wordagainst Lord Darby's; and I am a condemned traitor. . . Yet, stay amoment, there is one other knows it. The Abbot of Kirkstall Abbey wasin Darby's secret and engaged to aid his scheme. "

De Lacy, who was handling his drawn dagger, suddenly sent it deep intothe table beside him. 

"We seem to have been a pair of fools, Stafford!" he exclaimed. "Thevery morning after the Countess disappeared I found those two villainstogether at the Abbey yet suspected them not at all. " He drew out thedagger, then plunged it in again. "Well, so be it. I shall wait untilthe King has heard your story. Then I go North--with his permission, if may be; without it if I must. "

"It will be a triple pleasure, " said the Duke, "to revenge myself onDarby and do some service to the Countess and to you. "

"With your permission, my lord, " Ratcliffe observed, "Kendale will takedown your statement and you may sign it. . . His Majesty will notreturn till vespers. "

The Duke laughed shortly. "Ere which time I shall be sped, you mean. Well, summon Kendale, and that promptly, for methinks yon scaffold isabout ready for its office. "

Word for word the King's secretary reduced the narrative. 

"Read it, " the Duke commanded when it was done. . . "Is thatsufficiently definite and accurate? . . . Then let me sign it. "

With a labored flourish he attached his name and sealed it with hisring. Ratcliffe and Kendale duly attested it; and sealing it againover the outside edge he handed it to De Lacy:

"When Darby stands against you, " he said, "strike one blow for the deadBuckingham. . . Nay, man, take it not so to heart; it is a hazard weall must play some time. And who knows, forsooth, but that in the castI win a fairer land than this I leave behind?"

"Aye, perchance it is we who lose, " said Ratcliffe thoughtfully. 

"God grant it be so, " De Lacy added. 

"Amen!" the Duke rejoined. "For then some day you, too, shall win. "

From below came the measured tramp of men; and though the window wasclosed, the murmurings and mutterings of the crowd grow noticeablylouder. The pounding of hammers had ceased and in its place were thegruff commands as the soldiers forced the rabble back from thescaffold; followed presently by the ring of grounded halberds. 

The Duke of Buckingham walked to the window and opening the casementlooked for a moment into the courtyard. Then as the tread of the guardsounded on the stairs, he turned away and, shaking the dust from hiscloak, flung it about his shoulders. 

"Lead on, my man, I am ready, " he said indifferently, as Raynor Royk, death warrant in hand, stepped within. "No need to read it; I know itsmessage. . . Will you bear me company, good sirs?" he asked rather asone who invites than requests. "I promise I shall not detain you long. "

For answer, both Ratcliffe and De Lacy sprang forward and offered himtheir arms. The Duke shook his head. 

"You are most fair and courteous, but I must walk alone--to besupported would give ground for evil tongues to slur upon my courage. Your simple presence will be sustenance enough. "

As the procession of death came out into the courtyard, the crowd thatswayed and surged behind the men-at-arms, went quiet . . . A murmurgathered, that swelled louder and still louder, until the proud figureof Buckingham stepped upon the scaffold--then it ceased abruptly, and aheavy stillness came. And beside the block, in black shirt and hoseand leaning on the long shaft of the huge axe, stood the maskedheadsman, motionless and grim. 

For a space Stafford glanced carelessly over the crowd; then lifted hiseyes toward the blue above him, as though fain to see the bournewhither he was bound. And standing so, suddenly a smile of rarestbeauty broke upon his face, as if, in truth, a flash of immortal visionhad been vouchsafed of the Land beyond the sky. 

Even the stern, prosaic Ratcliffe saw it thus; and in awed toneswhispered to De Lacy, "He has had that sight of Heaven which is saidcomes sometimes to those about to die. "

And the Duke, his vision passed, yet with the air of one who hasreceived the promise of content, turned to the Bishop of Bath anddropping on one knee bared his head and bent it for the extremeabsolution. At the end, he took Ratcliffe and De Lacy by the hand. 

"You have been friends at a trying time, " he said, "and I thank youfrom the heart. " . . . He drew a chain of gold from within hisdoublet: "Here, Sir Aymer de Lacy, is my George; do you return it tothe King--it may suggest to him that you should take my place. "

"You are very thoughtful, my lord, " De Lacy answered brokenly. 

"And I am enjoined by the King, " said Ratcliffe, "to assure you thatyour domains shall not be forfeited or your Line attainted. "

The Duke looked at the Master of Horse steadily for a moment. 

"Verily, Richard is a mystery, " he said. "Is he then greedy of naughtsave power, that he passes thus my lands and castles?"

"Methinks there are many who misjudge him, " Ratcliffe answered. 

"Perchance! Yet my judgment is of small import now. Nathless, I thankhim for his clemency and consideration toward my wife and son. Andtouching my body, I trust it may be decently interred. "

"It will be laid beside your ancestors; and with every ceremony yourfamily may desire. "

"Truly, this death is not so hard, " Stafford said, with a bit of alaugh. "You have just robbed it of its only terrors. Farewell, myfriends, farewell!"--And again he took their hands. 

Turning to the headsman, who had stood motionless the while, he ran hiseyes over the stalwart figure. 

"Have you been long at the trade, fellow?" he asked. 

"These two and twenty years, " came from behind the mask, though the manmoved not at all. 

"Then you should have learned to strike straight. "

"Never but once did I miss my aim, " was the grim reply. 

"Well, make not, I pray you, a second miss with me. "

Calmly as though preparing for his couch and a night's repose, heunlaced his doublet and took it off; and laying back his placard, nodded to the executioner. 

The sombre figure came suddenly to life, and drawing from his girdle apair of heavy shears he swiftly cropped the Duke's long hair where ithung below the neck--then stepped back and waited. 

"Are you ready?" Buckingham asked. 

The man nodded and resumed his axe. 

With a smile on his lips and with all the proud dignity of his greatHouse, Stafford walked to the block and laid his head upon it. 

"Strike!" he said sharply. 

The executioner swung the axe aloft and brought it slowly down, stayingit just ere the edge touched the flesh. There, for an instant, he heldit, measuring his distance, while the sunlight flashed along itspolished face. Suddenly it rose again, and sweeping in a wide circleof shimmering steel fell with the speed of a thunder-bolt. 

And at that very instant, from the camp beyond the town, came the musicof the trumpets sounding the fanfare of the King. 

XXII

THE KNIGHT AND THE ABBOT

When the King returned, Sir John Kendale with Sir Aymer de Lacyhastened to place in his hands the letter containing Buckingham'sstatement, at the same time detailing the circumstances under which itwas made. 

Richard read it very carefully, and handed it back to Kendale. 

"So!" he said. "Out of the revolt comes the solution of the mystery, even as I thought. Now, De Lacy, you see it was wise not to arrestDarby at Lincoln. "

"Aye, Sire, you were right--and I fancy it is no wiser to arrest himnow. "

"Not unless you would have the Countess hurried to a fresh prison--orperchance put away altogether--ere you could hope to reach her. For beassured, Darby has provided that instant information be forwarded if hebe seized. "

"Then all I ask is permission to return forthwith to Yorkshire, " saidDe Lacy. 

"It is granted, " the King replied instantly. "Take with you a fewmen-at-arms and Raynor Royk; he knows the country as a priest hisprayers. As many more as you may need draw from Pontefract or any ofour castles--the Ring will be your warrant. Depart quietly and it canbe given out that you are on our special service. Meanwhile Darbyshall be as much a prisoner as though he were already in the Tower. Wemarch for Exeter to-morrow; and after things grow quiet thereabouts, and a head or two more has fallen, we shall fare back to London. ThereI trust you will bring, ere long, the Lady of Clare. "

An hour later Sir Aymer De Lacy and Giles Dauvrey, with Raynor Royk andfour sturdy men-at-arms, rode out of Salisbury and headed Westward. But after a league or so they turned abruptly to the right and circlingaround gained the main road to the North at a safe distance from thetown and bore away toward Yorkshire. 

Had De Lacy responded to the eagerness in his heart he would have racedall the way, nor drawn rein save to take refreshment. But no horse norpair of horses ever foaled could go the length of England at a gallop, and there were none worth the having to be obtained along the way: thearmy had swept the country clean of them as it marched Southward. Andso the pace was grave and easy; and though Aymer fretted and fumed andgrew more impatient as the end drew nearer, yet he never thought tohasten their speed; knowing that by going slowly they were, in fact, going fast. But at length, and in due season, the huge towers ofPontefract frowned against the sky line; and presently at the name ofDe Lacy, the drawbridge fell and they crossed into the courtyard. 

In the small room, where first he saw the Duke of Gloucester, De Lacyfound Sir John de Bury. The old Knight was slow to rally from hiswound; and being scarcely convalescent when Richard drew in his forces, he had been left in command of Pontefract in place of Sir RobertWallingford, who went with the King. But lately his strength wascoming back to him with swift pulsations and he was growing irritablyimpatient of his forced inactivity and of the obligation of officewhich held him stagnant while his sovereign rode to the wars. For asyet, no news had reached this distant section of the actual happeningsin the South and the bloodless collapse of the rebellion. 

"Holy St. Luke! has Richard been defeated!" De Bury exclaimed, springing to his feet. 

"Buckingham is dead and Tudor back in Brittany, " Aymer answered. 

"Parbleu! Stafford dead!"

"Aye--on the block at Salisbury on All-Souls-Day. "

"On the block? . . . Poor fool! . . . Poor fool! . . . Come, tell meabout it. But first, what brings you hither now?"

"The Countess of Clare. "

"Beatrix! You have found her?" De Bury cried. 

"No--not her; but her abductor. "

"And he is hereabouts?"

De Lacy shook his head. "He is with the army. "

"Then in God's Name, why are you at Pontefract?"

"Easy, Sir John, easy, " Aymer answered, his hand on the other'sshoulder. "Do you think I would be in Yorkshire if Beatrix were notthere, also?"--and forthwith he plunged into a narrative of the eventsfrom his encounter with Darby at Sheffield to the death of Buckingham. 

"A pretty scheme of Darby's, truly, " Sir John commented; "and the doghas played it well. He has nerve uncommon so to brave the royalRichard in his very Court. It is well for you there was no battle, oronfall even, else would you have got an arrow or a sword thrust frombehind. . . Now as to Beatrix; is she at Roxford?"

"There or at Kirkstall Abbey. "

"True enough; and a most likely place to conceal her the instant Darbywas suspected. "

De Lacy took a quick turn up and down the room. "God in Heaven, SirJohn! has Beatrix come through this without injury or insult?"

"What! What! Injury or insult! They would not dare------?" De Burycried passionately. 

"They have dared to seize and hold her prisoner--would they would dareno more. "

The old Knight sank back into his chair and covered his face with hishands. . . "The heiress of the Clares--the favorite of the Queen. . . They would not dare. --Yet if they have------"

"Beatrix will be dead, " said De Lacy, "and naught left for me butvengeance. "

"Aye! she was ever a brave lass and would kill herself without a whitof hesitation. Nathless, the rescue or the vengeance is for me, also--I ride with you to-morrow?"

"But are you strong enough to risk it?"

"By St. Luke! strong enough to ride to Land's End if need be to strikea blow for Beatrix, "--smiting the table with his fist. 

"Then together be it, and welcome. Here is to the Countess and herrescue ere the morrow's sun go down!" and he filled two goblets withwine. 

"And death and confusion to her captors, " Sir John echoed, raising highhis glass. 

Clad in full mail and followed by threescore men-at-arms and as manyarchers the two Knights set out from Pontefract the following morning. After due discussion they had determined that the time for cautiousindirection was passed and that there would be no quibbling with theAbbot of Kirkstall. He would be called upon to produce the Countess orto disclose where she was hidden, as well as to confess all that heknew concerning the abduction. They were not in a mood to argue or tobe trifled with; and ill would it be for Aldam if he tried evasion orgrew stubborn. 

And that they came in spirit scarce pacific was declared by their firstact when the Abbey was reached. With the haft of his battle-axe DeLacy struck the outer gate a resounding blow; and getting no promptresponse, followed it with a second that rang among the buildings andcorridors within. Straightway there came the shuffle of sandaled feetand a fumbling at the wicket, which opening slowly, disclosed therotund face and heavy, sleepy eyes of Father Ambrose. 

"Well! what means this unseemly bluster?" he began. . . . "Yourlordships' pardon--I will open instantly, " and hurried to remove thebars. 

"We seek speech with the Lord Abbot, " said De Lacy, halting beside thelodge, while the soldiers filed into the courtyard and drew into lineat the farther side. 

The monk watched this proceeding with blank surprise. 

"Hear you not?" Aymer demanded sharply, letting his mailed hand fallheavily on the other's shoulder. "We seek the Abbot. "

Father Ambrose shrank back in amaze at the tones and action. 

"His reverence is engaged at present in a session of the Chapter, " hefaltered. 

"Good--we will interrogate him there, " Aymer answered; and Sir John andhe galloped across to the church and dismounted. 

In the Chapter-house, the brothers, both ecclesiastical and lay, wereassembled in convocation. On the dais, in the recess at one side ofthe hall, sat the Abbot in his great carved chair of state. He wasleaning slightly forward, chin on hand, regarding with calm andcritical scrutiny the faces of the white-robed throng below him. Andthe monks, crowded on their narrow oaken benches, felt the stern eyesupon them and grew restless; for none knew how soon he might be calledforward for rebuke before them all. And Aldam did not spare words whenhe administered his corrections; and not one of the Cistercians butwould have chosen the heaviest task of the fields for four and twentyhours in preference to a single minute's lashing by his biting tongue. 

On the Abbot's right was Father James, the Prior, whose jolly face andample girth were equalled only by the Sub-prior, Father Albert, thefavorite of all the Abbey, who permitted the monks to do their ownsweet wills so long as it did not interfere with the necessary laborsof the farms and religious ceremonies. 

"Let the names of the candidates for admission to full brotherhood inour holy Order be read, " the Abbot ordered. 

The Chancellor stepped forward and with much rattle of parchment openedthe roll and cleared his throat preparatory to intoning. But he got nofurther. The religious calm was rudely broken by the clash of steel onthe bare pavement of the ante-chamber, and as Aldam raised his head inangry surprise the door was flung back and the two Knights, visors up, strode down the aisle. 

Instantly there was confusion; the monks, like timid children, drew faraway from these impious invaders of their peacefulness; some made asthough to flee; and all broke out into cries of alarm and terror. 

The Abbot sprang to his feet, his eyes flashing, his face pale withsuppressed ire. 

"Silence!" he thundered. "Return this instant to your seats, youfearful ones!"

The brothers huddled back into their places, trembling. There was forthem small choice between the anger of their ruler and the armed men intheir midst. 

"Truly this is strange conduct for Sir John de Bury and Sir Aymer deLacy, " the Abbot exclaimed as they halted before the dais. "Sincewhen, pray, has it been deemed knightly to offer such affront to HolyChurch?"

"Since a mitred Abbot of Holy Church has shamed his sacred office, " DeLacy answered curtly. 

"What, sirs!" Aldam cried. "Do you dare insult the Abbot of Kirkstall, here in his very chapter, and hope to go unpunished either in thisworld or the next?"

Aymer folded his arms over the shaft of his battle axe and laughedgrimly. 

"In this world methinks small need have we to fear your reverence; andas for the next world we will chance it. But be advised: tax us notwith threats; our patience is likely to be short. "

"And ours is gone entirely--do you, Sir John de Bury, approve this rashyouth's sacrilege?"

"Aye, that I do, " De Bury answered, his face set as stone. 

"Are you both mad?" the Abbot exclaimed. 

"Yea, that we are, " replied De Lacy. "Mad with anger and resentment. Can you guess why?"

The monk made no answer save a sneer. 

"Listen, and you and your underlings shall hear: One evening a month orso aback--your memory, good father, will serve you whether it was one, or two, or three--a certain demoiselle styled Countess of Clare, Maidto Her Majesty, the Queen of England, while near the Hermit's Cell inthe escort of Sir John de Bury, her uncle and guardian, was waylaid andby force and violence seized upon and carried off. And though therewas hue and cry and searchings without rest, yet it was unavailing. "

"Certes, we know all these matters, " Aldam broke in angrily. 

"Yes, you know them--and much more. "

The Cistercian's face changed its expression not a whit. 

"Are you aware, my lord Abbot, that the Duke of Buckingham has diedupon the block?" De Lacy questioned. 

Aldam shrugged his shoulders. "It was scarce Stafford's death thatbrought you to Kirkstall, " he scoffed. 

Aymer laughed derisively. "Think you so? Then are you mistakenwoefully. But for it I would be at Salisbury and your foul crime stillunsuspected. "

"Now has patience run its limit!" the Abbot exclaimed. "Brothers ofBenedict! throw me these two godless ones without the gates. " Andseizing the huge chair beside him, with strength astonishing in one soslender, he whirled it high and brought it down at De Lacy's head. 

But the Knight sprang lightly aside, and the heavy missile, tearingitself by sheer weight from the priest's fingers, crashed upon thepavement and broke asunder. 

If there had been any possibility of help from his frightened flock itwas ended by this ill-timed blow. The Prior and his fellows on thedais made not a single motion; and save for an excited swaying andwhispering, the monks sat stolid on their benches, either toofrightened to flee or too indifferent to the Abbot's safety to care toaid him. For once had the habit of trembling obedience, yoked uponthem by years of stern domination, been loosed by the spirit of fear orthe hope of release. 

And with a sneer of disgust on his face he surveyed them; and the scornin his voice must have shamed them to the floor had they been of theblood of such as feel disgrace. 

"You cowardly curs!" he exclaimed; "have you no spark of manhood leftamong you?"

"Perchance they, in their turn, can dub you cur, " said De Lacy tersely, springing on the dais and taking hold upon the Abbot's arm; "for here, on the dying word of the Duke of Buckingham, do I accuse you ofcomplicity in the abduction of the Countess of Clare. "

Aldam shook off the mailed fingers. 

"What! What!" he cried. "Would you lay hands in violence upon one ofGod's anointed? . . . Stand back, Sir Aymer de Lacy . . . And you, too, Sir John de Bury, lest I smite you both with the Church'sanathema. "

A gasp of horror came from the monks, and even the two Priors wereappalled at the threat--dire enough, indeed, to most men in that age, but little short of Hell itself to such as were cloister-bred. 

De Lacy folded his arms again over his battle-axe. 

"It was no purpose nor intent of mine, " he said, "to offer youviolence------"

"Nathless, it was done, " the Abbot broke in arrogantly, "and naught butsharp penance can atone for it and for your deeds here this day. "

De Lacy smiled contemptuously. "Methinks, lord Abbot, you arestrangely dull of brain to fancy you can fright us so. Believe me, wecare as little for your curse as for your broken chair. Nor did Ispeak in apology for my action. I meant no violence then; yet if we donot get true answer to our questions, be assured there shall beviolence both meant and done. "

The monks groaned aloud; but the Abbot only shrugged his shoulders. 

"You have heard, " De Lacy went on with steady menace; "and do not thinkit is an idle boast. Answer! have you the Countess of Clare within thebounds of Kirkstall Abbey?"

Aldam raised his hand in seeming horror. "Think you that the monks ofBenedict------?" he began. 

"Answer!" cried Aymer, striking the arm of the Prior's chair with hismailed fist so fiercely that its stout occupant, in sudden terror, fledto the rear of the dais. 

Instantly the Abbot seated himself in the vacant place. 

"I frighten not so easily as the timid Brother James, " he said. "Butas the lady is not with us, you are welcome to that knowledge. "

"Where is she, then?"

The Cistercian leaned back and stared De Lacy in the face. "If I knewI would not tell you. "

"You do know--and either you tell or you hang from your own gate beam. "

Aldam half arose from his chair; then dropped back and laughed. 

"You would not dare, " he said; "and were I the abductor himself. "

De Lacy faced toward the door. 

"What ho! Without!" he called. 

A score of men-at-arms burst into the room with drawn swords. Themonks set up a fresh cry of terror and fell to chanting prayers, andFather Alfred and the Chancellor sought refuge in the shadow with thePrior. But the Abbot never stirred in his seat, save to shift his gazeto the fresh disturbers of his authority. 

At a sign from De Lacy, the soldiers sheathed their weapons and fellinto double rank near the door, while Raynor Royk advanced to the daisand saluted. Then the Knight turned again to the Abbot. 

"We shall search this Abbey from loft to cellar, "' he said. "If theCountess be not here and you still remain obdurate, then shall youstretch halter, an you were the Pope of Rome himself. . . Raynor, wecommit these good fathers to your custody. Let none quit the room--ifneed be, cut down any who attempt it. "

All this time Sir John de Bury was leaning on his long sword, his coldgrey eyes fixed on the Abbot. Now he faced about and, silent still, tramped out of the Chapter-house beside De Lacy. And with them wenthalf of the men-at-arms. 

XXIII

THREE CHEVRONS GULES

When the Knights had gone Raynor Royk, having posted guards at thethree doors, turned the broken chair over with his foot and sittingdown on one of the fragments so that he could observe the entire room, fell to polishing his dagger. 

The Abbot watched him furtively for a space, then arose. 

"Are you of De Lacy's or De Bury's household?" he asked withcondescending friendliness. 

No answer. 

"You hear? I asked if De Bury or De Lacy were your master. "

No answer; and the polishing went vigorously on. 

"Are you deaf?" the monk exclaimed angrily, and prod the old retainerwith his foot. 

The next moment the air was full of flying arms and legs and sandalsand fluttering robes; and when it cleared Aldam was lying in a heap onthe floor--and Raynor Royk was working on his dagger, as placidly asthough it were a common enough act with him to seize the foot of amitred Abbot and whirl him backward to the earth. 

And the look of mingled fury and pain on the monk's face when, shakingoff the assisting hands of the Prior and the Chancellor, he struggledto his feet, would have made a less hardened soldier feel a bit uneasyas to the fate of his soul. But without so much as a glance at thefurious churchman, Raynor returned the dagger to its sheath and went towork on his sword blade. 

Never in all the years of his life had the stern Aldam been so crossedand flouted as within this last hour. Speechless with rage, withclenched hands and heaving breast, he paced the dais. And the monks infresh terror huddled closer together, and told their beads anew andmuttered prayer on prayer. Verily, was it a gloomy day for theCistercians of Kirkstall Abbey; and one sadly unpropitious to those laybrothers whose initiatory rites had been so rudely interrupted. 

Presently the Abbot's face grew calmer and he began to prolonggradually his steps toward the rear of the platform, where the wallstones were very large and stood out rough and bare. There he wouldpause and lean against them as though for rest, his head bent slightlyforward, his eyes closed--a figure of dejection deep and heavy. Yet itmight have been noticed that he always rested at the same place, andcould eyes have pierced his white robe, they would have seen hisslender fingers playing with careful pressure over the wall beside him. 

At length it happened--when the soldiers had grown accustomed to hispacings and had ceased to watch him, and while Raynor Royk was busywith his sword work, his head bent low--that Aldam halted at the walland leaned against it in his usual way; and as he did so the huge stonehe touched swung back noiselessly, he glided swiftly through theopening and the stone closed back into its place. 

An excited exclamation by the Prior caused Raynor Royk to look up. Instantly he missed the Abbot. With a shout he sprang over and seizedthe Chancellor, who happened to be nearest. 

"The Abbot? The Abbot?" he demanded fiercely. 

"I know not, " the monk stammered, staring about. "I saw him last byyonder wall. "

The old soldier loosed him straightway and turned upon the Prior. 

"Speak, " he thundered, "where is the Abbot?"

Father James stepped forward. "He went through the wall, " he said. 

"What! thou shaveling! Do you take me for a superstitious fool?Through yonder stones! Think you I believe such nonsense?"

"That you believe or disbelieve concerns me not at all, " the Prioranswered. "Nathless, through that wall he went, for with my own eyes Isaw a part of it roll back and him pass in. "

Raynor crossed to the spot in a single bound and fell to pounding withhis sword hilt. But only a monotonously dull sound answered to theblows. 

"Do you know this hidden door, or whither it leads?"

"Methinks I can answer for myself and all my brothers, " said the Prior. "There are certain secret passages in the Abbey which none but ourruler ever knows. Doubtless this is one of them. "

"Beware, Sir Monk!" Raynor exclaimed, striding over and glaring downupon him. "If you lie to aid your Abbot you shall hang instead of him. "

The Prior crossed himself devoutly. "Holy St. Benedict, be my witness, I speak truth. Nor do we love the Abbot Aldam well enough to shieldhim at danger to ourselves. "

The veteran regarded him keenly for a moment. "I am prone to believeyou, " he said; "for I myself know something of this Aldam. Yet here isone who will need the convincing, " as Sir Aymer de Lacy enteredsuddenly. And behind him came an archer with a coil of rope. 

"Seize the Abbot!" the Knight commanded as he crossed thethreshold. . . "Ho, Raynor! Since when are you afraid to touch aPriest? Seize him, I say. "

The old soldier advanced and saluted. 

"The Abbot has escaped, " he said. 

"What!--Escaped!--Hell and Furies!" De Lacy cried, and sprang at himwith arm raised to strike. But instantly the anger passed; and insteadof a blow, his hand fell kindly upon Royk's shoulder. "How did ithappen?" he asked. "It was through some trick, I warrant, and by nofault of yours. "

"I thank your lordship, " Raynor answered, with another salute. "TheAbbot escaped by a secret passage in yonder wall when my eyes were notupon him. This monk saw the stone open and close, " and he pointed tothe Prior. 

De Lacy eyed Father James sharply, then nodded for him to speak. 

At the end, he sent Royk to make another search of the entire Abbey, and himself turned his attention to the wall. But though he triedpressure both light and heavy and in all possible positions andcombinations the stone stood firm. 

"Is this the first time you have seen this passage opened?" he asked. 

"It is, my lord; this or any other of its kind. It is a violation ofthe Abbot's vows to use the secret ways in presence of another. "

"Do you think he never violated them before?"

The monk shook his head. "Save possibly for certain damsels, I thinknot; he never before had such occasion. Yet I will inquire. . . Brothers!" he cried, "if there be any among you who knows the trick ofthis hidden door or whither it leads, I enjoin him, in the name of theblessed Benedict and as the ranking officer in this Chapter, that hasnot yet been dissolved, to reveal the same. "

The monks whispered among themselves. Then one stood forth. 

"There is none among us who knows the secret, most reverend Prior, " heanswered. 

"You hear, sir?" said Father James. 

De Lacy nodded. "Yet I must trouble you to answer me a little further. Do you know this glove and kerchief? I found them in the room next tothe Abbot's. "

The Prior took them and after a glance held them inquiringly toward theChancellor and Father Albert; but each disclaimed all knowledge. 

"I fear me, sir, we cannot help you. . . Women are not unknown in theAbbot's quarters; yet none of us has ever seen them close enough toknow them. It is thought he uses for them one of the secret passageswhich opens somewhere beyond the Abbey walls. Leastwise, you may beassured no one has ever ventured to refer thereto in the holy Aldam'shearing. So, my lord, these articles might belong to any of a dozendemoiselles--with religious inclinations, " and he chuckled. . . "Yet--here is a cognizance upon the kerchief which may tell much to oneacquainted with escutcheons. It is three chevrons gules, I take it. "

"They are the arms of Clare, and the Countess is its heiress, " said DeLacy. 

"Then she you seek has, indeed, been here!"

"And is here still, though I have failed to find her. "

"Nay--methinks not. There have been no gentle ones with his reverencethese last five days. "

"You are sure of that?"

The Prior's broad face expanded in a grin. "Well, sir, you see we havethought it good to keep a religious eye upon our worthy head. "

De Lacy drew off his steel gauntlet. 

"See you this ring?" he said, holding up the Boar. "In the name of theKing I promise you, Sir Prior, the Abbotcy of Kirkstall, and your goodfellows each a grade in rank, if you will aid me to capture this Aldamand to recover the Countess of Clare. "

Father James's face flushed slightly at the prospect, and the Sub-priorand the Chancellor drew nearer in sudden interest. 

"It is a tempting offer, " the Prior said; "yet though you promised usall the red hat of a Prince Cardinal, we could give you no moreassistance than we have already done. Nathless, fair sir, we shall dowhatever lies in our power. "

"It is a bargain. When the Abbot is a prisoner or the lady saved, thenew dignities are yours . . . Monks of Kirkstall, harken!" he cried tothose upon the benches. "For inasmuch as Aldam, Abbot of KirkstallAbbey, has aided and abetted the enemies of his lawful Sovereign andhas furthered and assisted the abductors of the Countess of Clare, Maid-in-waiting to Her Majesty; now, I, Aymer de Lacy, Knight of theBody, under the authority vested in me by this signet and in the nameof the King, do hereby publicly degrade and remove the said Aldam fromhis office and do absolve and release every and all of you from anyobligation or duty to him. And further, whosoever shall offer himcomfort or sustenance shall be deemed and held traitor and shall sufferdeath. Heed and obey. "

The Prior sprang to the front of the dais. 

"Long live the King!" he shouted. 

And the monks, wild with joy at release from their hard master, jumpedon the benches crying:

"Long live the Royal Richard! Long live the King!"

XXIV

"WHEN YOU HAVE TOPPED THESE STAIRS"

For an hour Raynor Royk and his men searched every nook and corner ofthe Abbey, sounding walls and floors and making a confusion such as thestately establishment had never known. But they found neither theCountess nor the Abbot. He had either escaped by one of the passagesthrough which he introduced his frail companions, or he was hiding insome secret chamber--whence he would take good care not to issue untilthe Knights had departed. 

And to provide for just such contingency De Lacy, on the morrow whenthe march was resumed, detailed five of the royal men-at-arms to remainat Kirkstall. The armed retainers of the Abbey, who had been madeprisoners the instant De Bury and he entered the place, he now relievedfrom service there and enrolled them among his own following. Theywere sturdy soldiers enough, albeit they had little to do but to waxfat and sluggish by inaction and much food and, occasionally, to escortthe Abbot when he went abroad. Yet they were glad to be admitted tothe service of one who wore the Boar and they donned corselet andcasquetel with eagerness and haste--as willing now to fight against theCistercian as, an hour since, they were ready to defend him. 

The Castle of Roxford lay some four leagues northwest of the Abbey. Ithad been the seat of the Lords of Darby for two centuries and more; andwhile in no way comparable with the huge Pontefract, in either size orstrength, yet it was deemed a formidable fortress and one, whenproperly garrisoned and defended, well able to withstand attack. 

A broad path led from the highway half a league or so through theforest of oaks and beeches to the castle, which stood on a slighteminence in the centre of a wide clearing covered with luxuriant turf, and used for pasturing the domestic animals as well as for the sportsof the garrison. But the morning after the events at Kirkstall, whenSir Aymer de Lacy and Sir John de Bury halted near the edge of thetimber, this open space was bare of denizen, either brute or human. Nor did the fortress itself show more animation; for though they rodeslowly around its entire circle, keeping the while well under cover ofthe trees, yet not a sign of life did they discover either without orwithin. Save for the small sable banner with the three goldenescallops, which fluttered in gentle waves from the gate-tower, therewas no moving thing in all the landscape. 

"It is uncommonly queer, this quiet, " said De Bury, shading his eyeswith his hand to see the better. "It would almost seem they had beenwarned of our coming. "

"Like enough, " De Lacy answered. "They would only need to know that Iwas back in Yorkshire; and that, doubtless, reached them quick enough. There is no hope to catch them with drawbridge down, " and they went onto their following. 

"You know the castle, Sir John; what is the best point to attack?"Aymer asked. 

The old Knight shook his head. "There is no weak spot, so far as Ihave recollection. "

"Where is the postern? I did not note it. "

"No postern will you find in yonder walls, " De Bury answered. "Asecret exit runs beneath the moat known only to the ruling lordhimself. "

"Another Kirkstall!" commented Aymer. 

"Aye--yet as Darby is not within, there will be no escape by it. "

With banners to the fore, they marched across the open space to thebarbican and the herald blew the parley. 

No answer came from the outwork. Riding closer, De Lacy discovered itwas without defenders, and passing through he halted on the edge of thecauseway. 

"Sound again!" he commanded--and this time with quick effect. 

A trumpet answered hoarsely from within and a mailed form arose frombehind the crenellated parapet near the gate. 

"Who summons so peremptorily the Castle of the Lords of Darby?" itasked. 

Sir John's herald blew another blast. 

"It is a most ignorant warder that does not recognize the arms of SirJohn de Bury and Sir Aymer de Lacy, " he answered. 

"What seek Sir John de Bury and Sir Aymer de Lacy at the Castle ofRoxford?" was the demand. 

De Lacy waved the herald aside. "We seek the Countess of Clare who, wehave reason to believe, is held in durance here. In the name of theKing, we require you to surrender her forthwith. "

"And if she be not here?"

"Then after due search, we will leave you undisturbed, " the Knightreplied. 

The other laughed tauntingly. 

"You must needs have wings, fair sirs, to gain entrance here;" and witha scornful gesture he disappeared below the parapet, and the blast of atrumpet signified that the truce was ended. 

De Lacy closed his visor, and for a time surveyed the fortress withcareful eye. Before him lay a moat full sixty feet across and twothirds full of water, with no means of passage save the drawbridge, that hung so high on its chains as to seem almost against the outerportcullis. From the farther edge the wall rose solid and grim, and, as he knew from Sir John, with no opening in all its circuit save thegate directly opposite. 

"It is evident the garrison is very small, " De Bury observed, "elsethey would not have abandoned the barbican without a blow. "

"Undoubtedly; and if we can reach the gate or scale the wall the restis easy. "

"I would we had a bombard or two that are lying idle in the armory atPontefract. "

"They will not be needed, " De Lacy answered. "We shall sleep in thecastle to-night. "

Sir John smiled. "Have you found the wings the warder recommended?"

"We shall not require them; the gate is easier entrance than over thewalls--besides being the way naturally intended. This is not the firsttime I have forced such a castle and won it by sundown. . . Giles, wewill try the flagons; let the ropes be made ready, and bid the archersstand to their bows. "

Sir John was regarding De Lacy with vexed surprise. 

"Flagons!" he broke out. "Do you think to win the castle by pouringwine on the waters of the moat?"

Aymer laughed. "It is a trick I learned among the Italians, thoughthey use hollow iron balls. There were none such at Pontefract, so Isubstituted flagons; they are filled with powder, the mouth pluggedshut save for the fuse, and the whole is wrapped in a bag, also filledwith powder. "

"How in the name of St. Luke do you expect to use them?"

"Come, " said De Lacy, and led the way to the edge of the moat. 

The squire was there uncoiling a long, stout rope with a broad ironball at one end. Fastening the other end to a projection in thebarbican, he whirled the weighted one around his head, then suddenlylet it fly. Like a bird it soared over the moat, and crossing back ofthe right lift-chain swung far down near the water. With a widegrappling hook he caught it above the ball, and drawing it in tied thetwo ends together, forming a great loop around the chain where it wasfastened to the bridge. 

Hitherto there had been no opposition from the castle; but now therewas a change. 

As Dauvrey whirled another weighted rope behind the left draw-chain, anarrow whistled from the wall and rapped him hard upon the hauberk nearthe gorget, piercing the outer mail, but being stayed by the innershirt of Italian steel. The next instant the shafts came thick andfurious, marking De Bury and De Lacy and the squire at every joint andseam of their harness, but without effect. 

"By St. Denis, I fancy not those bolts, " exclaimed De Lacy, as aquarrel from an arbalest glanced along his helmet near the eye hole. "It came from the left gate tower, methought. "

"From the far window, " said De Bury. 

"Fetch me a bow, " De Lacy ordered Royk. 

Drawing off his right gauntlet he notched the shaft and waited. Presently a head rose cautiously in the window and the cross-bow waslaid upon the ledge. Instantly De Lacy's fingers touched his cheek, the string twanged sweetly, and the arrow flashed across and deep intothe brain of the arbalestier. 

The cry he gave as death gripped him was answered by the splash of hisweapon as it sank into the waters of the moat. 

"Bravo! my lord!" Raynor exclaimed. "You are a sight for old eyes. "

"It was a lucky shot, " the Knight replied, handing back the stave. 

Meanwhile Dauvrey, minding the arrows rained upon him no more than somany feathers, had caught the last rope, and so both lift-chains wereencircled by a running loop. In a trice a flagon was fastened to astrand of each and drawn quickly over until it rested close against thebridge. All this time the ropes were kept swinging irregularly toprevent them being cut by arrows from the walls; though the defendershad ignored them entirely, thinking, doubtless, they were to be usedfor crossing and being quite content; for then their assailants' armormust come off and they be easy marks. 

But when the bags went over they scented danger, and the darts began tohiss about the ropes. And the gate was flung back and the bridgelowered a trifle, and up it two men worked their way toward the chains. They were protected by the flooring from the fire of those at thebarbican, but Dauvrey, foreseeing just such a move, had stationedarchers on each side to meet it; and ere the two had reached the middleof the span they were pierced by half a score of arrows and rolled backinto the gateway. 

"Now!" cried De Lacy. "Up with them"--and seizing the rope nearest himhe gave it a quick twist that flung the bag upon the bridge and againstthe chain; and Dauvrey did the same with the other. 

At the command two archers had sprung forward with lifted bows andbarbs wrapped with burning tow and oil. 

"Shoot!" Sir Aymer ordered; and straight into each bag a blazing arrowsped. 

Then came a sullen roar--a burst of silvery smoke--a rush of flyingbits of iron and splinters; and as those before the barbican leapedback at the Knight's warning cry, the drawbridge crashed down upon thecauseway, its lift-chains torn clean away. 

Instantly De Lacy dashed forward with waving axe; and beside him wentSir John de Bury, and at his shoulder were Dauvrey and Old Raynor Royk. And they were none too quick; for already those at the entrance weretrying to remove the planks that formed the flooring. But with a cryof "Clare! Clare!" Aymer and the others were upon them and they fledwithin the walls, swinging the gate shut just as the two Knights flungthemselves against it. 

"Keep an eye upward lest they loose a turret and destroy the bridge, "De Lacy shouted, and fell to work on the gate with his heavy axe, whileDauvrey made haste to prevent the dropping of the portcullis by drivinga spike into the grooves in which it worked. 

But the gate was made of heavy, seasoned oak, studded thick with ironand bound deep around the edges with well-wrought steel. And though DeLacy's blows thundered upon it until it swayed and rattled on itsmassive hinges, yet it still stood staunch and firm. Presently hepaused, and Giles Dauvrey sprang forward to take his place. But hestayed him. 

"It is too strong to waste good time and strength upon, " he said. "Wemust use the powder again. "

Twice the flagons spoke without material result; but the third tore thegate from its fastenings, and even before the smoke had risen Sir Aymerde Lacy and Sir John de Bury hurled it back upon its hinges and dashedthrough--to be brought up short by two men in complete armor, whoattacked them furiously. 

In the narrow passage, with the walls close on either side and the rooflow over head, the fighting was hampered and awkward. De Lacy and DeBury were in each other's way and neither could swing a heavy blow; yetthey pressed forward, sword and axe drawing fire as they rasped eachother or scraped against the rough stones of the arch. 

Meanwhile the men-at-arms led by Raynor Royk had poured across thebridge and were crowding close in the rear. 

"Bear aside, my lords!" the veteran shouted high above the din of theclashing steel. "We will sweep the way clean by a rush. "

But neither Knight gave heed. Gradually De Lacy was driving his foebefore him. Step by step he forced him back, until presently they werefree of the wall and into the outer bailey. Then he first noticedthat, though his opponent bore no device upon shield or hauberk norcrest upon helm, his armor was scarcely of the sort wont to be worn byretainers or simple men-at-arms; it was far too handsome in its linesand fashion and much too beautifully forged. And as he parried thesword strokes, waiting for an opening when he could end the conflict bya crashing blow, he tried to distinguish the face behind the bars ofthe visor. At first he had thought it was some retainer masqueradingin one of Lord Darby's suits of mail, but the sword play was manifestlythat of no common soldier; it was too graceful and too skillful to havebeen learned amid the turmoil of the camp and battle. And suddenly thegreat hope came that it was Darby himself--who had eluded the King and, following after, had passed him at Pontefract. Instantly the coolmethod of his fighting vanished; his fingers took a fresh and tightergrip; his battle-cry "Clare! Clare!" rang out vengefully; and with allthe fury of his wrongs and pent-up hate he sprang in close. And as heswept his axe aloft its heavy head caught the other's sword and tore itclean away, sending it far across the bailey where it fell with a clang. 

To many, here would have been the conflict's end; yet even as the hiltquit his fingers, the unknown plucked forth his heavy dagger and sprangstraight at De Lacy. 

Aymer met the attack by facing on his right heel swiftly to the left, and as the other, unable to recover himself, struck wildly at the air, the axe caught him full upon the shoulder, biting through gorget andgambeson and deep into the neck beneath. 

Bending over his fallen foe, De Lacy cut the lacings of the helmet anddrew it off--then started back in wonder. 

Instead of the dark curls and face of Roxford's lord there weredisclosed the tonsured head and pale features of the Abbot of Kirkstall. 

"Pardieu!" he exclaimed, gazing down into the face already set indeath. . . "You were my enemy, yet had I known whom this suit encased, methinks my arm had dealt an easier blow. Nathless, you were a betterknight than churchman and, mayhap, it was a proper death for you todie. "

Just then, De Bury's antagonist went by, running as easy as though hismail were silk and shouting:

"To the keep! To the keep!" to those upon the walls. And behind himcame Sir John, and the squires, and Raynor Royk with all the troop. 

Whirling about, De Lacy sprang after. But here had he and all theothers met their match; for strain as they might, they gained not aninch; and when the foe reached the steps they were yet fifty feet away. 

The door was open for him and rushing in he flung it shut, but withsuch force that it missed the catch and rebounded--and at that instant, De Lacy thrust in his axe and he and Dauvrey threw themselves againstthe door and slowly forced it back. Then of a sudden, it yielded andthey were near to falling headlong. 

Shouting his battle-cry, Aymer strode into the great hall and made forthe wide stairway at the opposite end, where the remnants of thegarrison were gathered for the final stand. There were but nine and ofthem only the three in front were garbed in steel; and in the centrewas he who had held the gate against Sir John de Bury. 

Out-matched and out-armed there could be for them but one end to themelée; for though they held the vantage post yet it counted littleagainst those who were arrayed below them, eager to begin. Nevertheless, they stood calm and ready, leaning on their weapons, andshowed no glint of fear. And De Lacy, in admiration and loath to putthem to the sword, raised his axe for silence. 

"You bear yourselves as men deserving of a better cause, " he cried, "and I fain would not have your blood spilled needlessly. Yieldyourselves prisoners, and scathless shall you leave this castle withinthe hour--all save one, if he be among you, the flat-nosed retainer ofLord Darby. Him must I carry to the King. "

A gruff laugh came from the figure in the centre and he swung his visorup. 

"Aye, sirs, be not surprised. Behold him you have dubbed Flat-Nose--bytrue name, Simon Gorges--the leader of your assailants, Sir John deBury, when yon Knight saved you--the abductor of the Countess ofClare--the man who eluded you, Sir Aymer de Lacy, at the house inSheffield. " And he laughed again. "And now do I thank your worshipfor the proffered clemency to my fellows, and for the honor you have instore for me. Yet am I scarce fit to stand before His Majesty; nor dothe followers of the Master of Roxford accept favor or life from theenemy of their lord. Here await we the onslaught, fair sirs, and letit come quickly that it may be quickly done. "

"Stay!" cried De Lacy fiercely. "You have many more sins upon yoursoul, doubtless, than those just vaunted, yet will you not do oneredeeming act ere you are sped? For of a verity you shall die ere theshadows yonder lengthen by a span. Where, I ask you, shall I find theCountess of Clare?"

Flat-Nose smiled. 

"You will find her when you have topped these stairs, " he answered, andsnapped his visor shut. 

"I claim the villain!" De Bury exclaimed. 

"Take him, " said De Lacy--and whispered, to Giles Dauvrey: "Keep behindSir John, and if he weaken take his place until I come. "

Then with the old Knight in the middle and Aymer and Raynor Royk oneither hand, they advanced to the fight. 

But whereas at the gate they were on equal footing, here the assailedhad vastly the advantage; for standing on the edge of the landing, where the stairs divided, they were high above their foes. So theconflict began warily; and on the third step below the three halted andmade play with the three above, seeking for a chance to rush up and geton even terms. But the others were not to be confused by tricks ortaken unaware, and were content to act only on the defensive and waittheir opportunity. And so they struggled for a while, with no resulton either side save that the strain grew heavy and the breath cameharder than at first. 

Suddenly, Gorges' heavy blade found an opening, and Sir John de Bury, with a great hole in his helmet, staggered back and sank into the armsof the men behind him. But it brought no respite to the victor, forGiles Dauvrey stepped into the vacant place and his sword andFlat-Nose's rang viciously together. 

With a groan De Lacy marked the old Knight's fall; then as for aninstant his opponent's eye wandered thither, he sprang up inside hisstroke, and gripping him with both hands about the ankles threw himover his head and clean to the pavement below. 

At this moment, Raynor Royk cut down his foe and joined his leader onthe landing with the men-at-arms at his back. Then, indeed, was thefight quickly ended--save where Simon Gorges still held the squire atbay. 

And while they fought a queer thing happened in the hall below, for SirJohn de Bury got suddenly upon his feet and came toward the stairs. 

"You must strike harder, Flat-Nose, to reach a skull through Spanishbascinet, " he said. "Yet of a verity, did you stun me sore and show mestars in millions. Have at him, De Lacy, I resign the rogue to you--mylegs are over shaky to stand on yonder stair. "

De Lacy motioned all to move back. 

"Flat-Nose!" he called. "You shall have one more chance. Will youyield prisoner?"

Instantly Dauvrey stepped down out of reach and grounded blade. 

"To dangle in a halter from the gate tower?" scoffed Gorges, facingabout. "Not by St. Edward! Cry on your dogs. "

"Has life then grown tiresome to you?"

"Marry, no! Yet it is but a change of deaths you offer; and I preferthe one that finds me sword in hand. "

"You have said the Countess of Clare is in this castle. Will youaccept life from her if she decree it; or in steel harness fight me tothe death, if she condemn you?" De Lacy asked. 

Flat-Nose flung down his sword and raised his visor. 

"I accept the offer, Sir Knight, " he said. "I will risk the lady'sjudgment. Knock upon the door in the farthest corner, and she, herself, will open to you--there is no lock upon it, save that she hasinside. "

"Will you come with me, Sir John?" De Lacy called, as Dauvrey madehaste to unlace his lord's helmet and lift it off. 

De Bury shook his head. "Nay, lad, it is your right first. Later willI join you and gladly. "

Without further urging Aymer hurried down the corridor and tappedlightly at the door, beyond which, if Flat-Nose spoke truly, he wouldfind his lost betrothed. No answer came, and he rapped again andlouder. But within was silence and he waited vainly for response. Then with rising suspicion that he had been tricked by Darby's minion, he struck the panel sharply and with force--and the door swung backuntil it was open wide. 

For a moment he hesitated; but when another knock brought no reply, heventured across the threshold and into the room a little way. Then ashis eyes chanced upon a hat with long plumes, lying on a table, andbeside it a veil and a woman's gauntlets, he was seized with suddenfright and turned to flee. 

But on the instant, from behind, two arms were flung about his neck anda soft cheek was pressed against his own, and a voice, than which tohim the world contained none sweeter, whispered in his ear:

"Aymer, my lord!"

XXV

A PAGE FROM THE PAST

With a cry of deepest gladness he whirled and caught his lost love tohim, and kissed her brow and ruddy hair, and his voice broke and hiseyes dimmed as he repeated many times:

"Beatrix! . . . Beatrix! . . . Thank God!"

And so for a space they stood. Then of a sudden he held her gently offat arm's length. 

"Are you glad to see me, sweetheart?" he asked. 

"And need I tell you that, dear?" smiling archly. 

"At least you might tell me why my knocks were so ignored, " he said, smiling back. 

"Perchance, sir, I was curious to know how long you would be content toknock and wait. "

"You knew it was I?"

She glanced up with a merry sparkle in her grey eyes. 

"Stupid!--do you think the door would have been unbolted toanother?". . . Then with a woman's quick mind: "And dear Sir John! Itis sweet to see that he has his strength again. "

"See? When did you see Sir John?"

She led him to the window and drew aside the curtain. 

"I saw everything, my lord!" she cried, with a blithesome laugh. "Everything from when you slew the odious Abbot until the fight endedon the stairs; and you can never know, dear, the joy with which Irecognized the Stag upon your jupon. "

"Surely you did not see the fight in the hall!" he exclaimed. 

"Every stroke. I was leaning on the railing just above you. "

"And never spoke to me!"

"Because I feared it might be distracting and do you harm. When allwas over I hurried hither . . . To wait . . . Though I feared Sir Johnmight come with you, " and she blushed bewitchingly. 

"His heart is young, if his hair be grey, " said De Lacy. "He bade mego alone and he would follow presently. And ere he comes, dear, tellme something of your captivity. "

"I will try to sketch it briefly, but if I seem to wander, bear in mindthat to me it is years--long years--since that fateful evening by theHermit's Cell. " She paused a bit, and then went on: "The attack uponus was so sharply sudden that Sir John had no chance to defend--thevillains seemed to rise from the very turf on every side. Almostinstantly he was stricken, and as his horse bolted into the forest, acloak was flung over my head and wound round about my arms, so that Iwas helpless. Then at a sharp trot, that grew quickly into a canter, we set out. After a while, how long I had no notion, we halted untilthe leader--he whom I have come to know as Simon Gorges--had freed mefrom the cloak, apologizing very humbly for being obliged to use it. 

"It would likely have been more maidenly had I been tearful andtrembling; but, to my shame then, must I admit that I was neither--onlycurious to know who had been so desperate as to commit an act thatwould bring the whole of England down upon him. Had I but guessed thelong weeks which were to pass and the sore trials they were to bear, there would have been weeping without stint that night as, indeed, there was later; when it began to seem that you and all else on earthhad forsaken me. "

"Nay, Beatrix; surely there was never such doubt of me?" De Lacy asked. 

"Well; not doubt, exactly--only a growing fear that, having searchedfor me and vainly, you had given me up for dead. "

"Yet all the while, methinks your heart told you that there was one, atleast, who sought you still, " he said, raising her face so he couldlook into her eyes. 

"I fear me, Aymer, you are still given to occasional conceit. . . No, sir--not another kiss until I have finished--and not then, unless youare good and humble. . . When we arrived before this castle the bridgewas down and all things ready for our coming. The place was strange tome, and in the faint glimmer of the torches and the uncertain moonlightI could discern no escutcheon above the gateway and no banner on thetower. Nor did I have much time for observing, for they hurried me outof saddle and through the great hall and up to these rooms. Directly, there came to me an old woman who proffered herself as maid. 

"'Maid!' I exclaimed. 'Maid for one with no gown but a riding habit!'

"She opened the closet door and showed me apparel in plenty; and when Isaid I would wear no other woman's clothes, she told me they were madefor me and had been waiting for a week. 

"'Does this place then deal in abducted maidens?' I demanded; and gotfor answer that I was the first woman of quality to cross these hallssince the lord's mother was laid in yonder chapel. 

"Then suddenly my courage left me, and I grew faint and would havefallen had she not led me to the couch. With the morning came freshstrength; and ignoring the loose chamber robe she laid out and urgedupon me, I donned my riding skirt and waited. But that day passed; andthe second was in darkness when I heard a trumpet call and then muchcommotion in the courtyard; and presently there were steps in thecorridor, followed by a knock upon the door. When I opened it I gave acry of glad surprise; instead of the abductor, it was Lord Darby whoentered smiling and gay. 

"I suppose the sharp shift of feeling was too much for my wrought-upnerves, for I began to cry and laugh by turns; and when I came back tocalmness, I found him at my feet and holding my hand, and . . . Talkingfoolishness. But my sole idea was to be gone, and I told him so curtlyand started for the door. To my amaze, he stepped in front of me, andas I would have slipped by he caught my arm. I tried to fling him off, but unavailingly. Then he gravely led me to a chair and bowed me intoit. 

"'Bear with me, Countess, I pray you, ' he said, and fell to talkingfoolishness, again. 

"But I told him it was quite useless; that the question had beenfinally settled between us at Windsor, as he ought to know, and prayedhim not to weaken my gratitude for the rescue by pressing the subjectfurther. I did it gently as I could, but I saw his anger rising. 

"He had been kneeling; now he arose and stood with folded arms, lookingdown at me. 

"'Tell me, Countess, ' he said, 'is this your final answer?'

"'It is, Lord Darby, ' I replied, and springing by him I tried to makethe door. But he was before me and turned the key. 

"It were folly to grow violent in my helplessness, and I swept him amocking curtsy. 

"'Will you tell me if I am captive to Lord Darby or to him who rulesthis castle?' I asked. 

"He bowed back at me until his plume almost touched the floor. 

"'To both, fair Countess, ' he answered, 'for this is Roxford Castle, and I am its lord and your abductor. '

"'What a despicable scoundrel you are!' I exclaimed, trying to hold myvoice steady and keep a brave front--though my heart had suddenlybecome as lead, and I thanked God for my dagger. 

"'It is a pity you should view your future lord with so poor esteem, 'he returned. 'For here you stay until the bans are tied as tight aspriest can knot them. '

"'The Church mates not the quick with a corpse, ' I answered. 

"He shrugged his shoulders. 'True, Countess, ' he replied. 'But onemust risk something; and few women go in search of death. Nathless, itis the only way you can escape me now. '

"'You forget the King, ' I retorted. 

"He gave his sneering laugh. 'Nay, put no hope in Richard, ' he said. 'He soon will have enough of his own troubles, and no time to spare formissing maids. When Buckingham, Stanley, and Darby rise and Richmondlands in England, Richard's rule is ended. Then think you the new Kingwill deny me the Countess of Clare for wife--even though she be a bitunwilling? Meanwhile, it is already ordered that you be treated as thechatelaine of Roxford. When next I come it will be to lead you to thealtar, by the kind permission of His Gracious Majesty, King Henry. '

"He went out leaving the key in the lock, and after a while he rodeaway. 

"It would be small profit to detail the weeks that followed. I rarelyleft this room, though I had the freedom of the castle, and was deniednothing save leave either to pass the gates or to communicate with theouter world. 

"Then, one day, I chanced to be at yonder window when Simon Gorges rodefrom out the gate-arch and across the courtyard; his mount staggeringfrom weariness and both plastered with mud and water. 

"That night Gorges carried me to Kirkstall Abbey; some one met him nearthe gate and I was smuggled, blindfolded, through an undergroundpassage to a small room, furnished in all luxury, and with all thetoilet trifles of our sex. There I abode, seeing no one save ashrewish looking woman who paid no heed to my questions and ignored meutterly. And on the third evening Lord Darby entered suddenly, and Icried out in sheer surprise and terror. 

"'You are not glad to see me, I fear, ' he said, with his short, sneering laugh. 

"I made no answer. His return could mean only that Richard wasdethroned, Henry Tudor, King, and he come to claim me. My hand soughtmy hidden dagger; and he must have read my mind, for he laughedagain--Merciful Mother, how I hate that laugh!--and bade me be easy. 

"'I am here before my time, ' he said. 'Richard is yet King, and Istand now with him, and am just come from mustering my following atRoxford. He has promised me your hand when the rebellion is ended. Therefore, I have you sure, whoever conquers; for in the battle I shallso play as to be with him who wins. ' . . . He drew back thearras--then paused as though the thought had just come: 'Perchance itwill interest you to know that a certain Aymer de Lacy has left Englandand returned to France. '

"'It is a lie--a lie of your black heart!' I cried. 

"But he only smiled maliciously and went out. And thank God, sincethat evening I have never seen him more. 

"And now is my tale most told. For a week longer I dwelt in that room, and saw no person but my dumb attendant. At a strange hour on thenight of the seventh day, there came a knock at the door and, withoutstaying for permission, a robed figure entered. 

"'Be not alarmed, daughter, ' it said, as I sprang up. 'I come to takeyou hence. '

"It was the Abbot Aldam himself, and my anger arose. 

"'Since when, Sir Abbot, ' I demanded, 'has the Abbey of Kirkstallbecome the prison for abducted women?'

"'Since it pleased me to assist a friend in need, ' he answered. 

"Coming near, he scanned my face and figure; and suddenly he put hisarms about me and kissed me on the mouth. "

De Lacy struck his gauntlets against his greaves. 

"God! I am glad I killed him, " he gritted. 

"So am I, dear, " said the Countess--then went on: "I tried to reach mydagger, but Aldam caught my hands and kissed me twice again. 

"'Be not so timid, ' he laughed. 'There are many of your sex come tothis room, and far different from a simple caress is the toll they pay. But you are Darby's, so must I stop with that . . . Yet I would it wereotherwise, ' and his look was so cruelly devouring I fled to the farside of the room. 

"There I waited, ready if he sought again to touch me, to sink mydagger in his breast. But he had bound his passions, seemingly, for hesat down and bade me prepare to leave without delay. And gladly did Icomply, caring little where I went, so that I left this vile priest'sclutches. 

"When I had done, he took my bundle and a candle and led the waythrough a hidden panel in the corner opposite the door. We passedalong a narrow corridor, with the roof almost against our heads, anddescended a score of stone stairs into a tunnel, deep and foul. Howfar we went I cannot even guess, but presently there was another ascentof stairs, and after a bit of fumbling, the heavy door swung back and Ifelt a rush of night air and saw the moonlight. 

"Thrusting the Abbot aside, I sprang through the opening . . . And intothe arms of Simon Gorges. 

"'Your pardon, my lady, ' he said; then freed me, but stood within easyreach. He was alone, and beside his horse was another with a woman'ssaddle. He saw my eyes upon it. 

"We are for Roxford Castle, ' he explained. 

"Listen, Gorges, ' I said. 'What will you have to take me back toPontefract? Name your price, man--I am rich and can pay a royalransom--and you shall enter the King's own guard. '

"He shook his head. 'I have served the Lords of Darby all my life, andmy sire and my grandsire before me. No gold nor rank can buy me frommy duty. To me you have been committed, pending my lord's return; andso long as I have power to keep you, I must obey. '

"'It is an ignoble task you are assigned, ' I began. 

"But he would not hear me. 'You forget, my lady, that I am of thoseyou and your station deem ignoble. Yet, none the less, am I ashamed ofthis business--though, since my lord commands, it is not for me toquestion nor delay. Therefore, I pray you, let us mount and be going?'

"I saw he neither could be bought nor persuaded, so I let him lift meinto saddle and we set out for Roxford. On the way, I asked why I wasbeing so moved about, though I had no hope he would tell me; and for awhile he made no answer. Then, to my surprise, he said: 'What do youthink would be the reason?'

"'Can it be that Lord Darby is suspected of my abduction?' I cried. And the hope that had almost died came back to life with a bound. 

"'Will you promise never to betray me to him?'

"'I promise, ' I answered, all a tremble. 

"So he detailed how, as Flat-Nose, he had been sought over all England;how at Sheffield, you, Aymer, had come upon him and Lord Darbytogether, and had carried his master to the King at Lincoln; how he, himself, escaping, had galloped back and hurried me to Kirkstall, assuming that Roxford would be visited by Richard's order; how Darbyhad bested you with the King; and how Buckingham's rebellion had sentyou and Darby with the army to the South. 

"'For the time Roxford will be in no danger of a searching party, soyou are being returned there, ' he ended. 'But if I know aught of SirAymer de Lacy, my lord has not yet won his bride. '

"'Lord Darby told me that the King had promised him my hand--and thatSir Aymer de Lacy had gone to France. ' I said. 

"He looked at me with a smile. 

"'I never contradict my master, ' he replied; but there was vastencouragement for me in his tones. 

"And I slept that night as I had not for weeks; nor troubled that I layonce more at Roxford Castle. For after my heavy gloom and darkdespair, even the smallest hope was mountain size and promised surerelease. And so I waited; confident and strong. Last evening nearsundown the Abbot Aldam came; and as I saw him, all bedraggled, crossthe courtyard on foot and unattended, I felt that my deliverance wasnear. No one of his rank and station would travel so, except his lifewere jeopardized, and I cried out in joy at his undoing. Then I sentfor Gorges and learned the Abbot's tale--that he had escaped by thepassage used for me, and that you were even then at Kirkstall. 

"'To-morrow's sun will see Sir Aymer before the barbican, my lady, ' hesaid. 'And though we shall hold the castle to the final stroke, yet itwill be a losing fight; for we are few in number, and when one fallsthere will not be another to step into his place. And so will it bethat you have seen the last of Simon Gorges, whose greatest shame is tohave been your jailer. '

"He bowed awkwardly and was going when I stopped him. 

"'Your lord and the Abbot of Kirkstall can learn courtesy and chivalryfrom you, ' I said. 'But what profit can your death be to Lord Darby?When I am found here, his end is sure. So when the last hope isgone--the castle lost--promise me that if quarter be offered, you willnot let it pass; take your life and you shall have service under me. '

"He was embarrassed by my praise and earnestness. 'Your ladyship isgracious; yet must I think upon the matter, ' he stammered; and hurriedout as though afraid I might persuade him more. 

"Therefore, dear, as on the stairway I heard him accept mercy on myword, you will grant it to him?"

"He is your prisoner, sweetheart, and we will have him here, " saidAymer. "You are his judge. "

Presently, with helmet in hand and bladeless scabbard by his side, butstill in his harness dinted and hacked in the recent fight, Gorgesappeared; and halting at the threshold, bowed to the Countess; thensaluting the Knight with formal motion, stood at attention. 

"Flat-Nose--for by that name I know you best, " said De Lacy, "youyielded prisoner to the Countess of Clare. Advance and receive yoursentence. "

Gorges came forward and knelt at her feet in silence. 

"Simon, " said Beatrix, "you were kind to me when most I neededkindness; will you now take your life from me in earnest of mygratitude?"

"That will I, my lady, and gladly, " Gorges answered frankly and at once. 

"And will you wear the badge of Clare and be my chief retainer?"

The soldier hesitated and glanced uncertainly at De Lacy. 

"You are bound no longer to Lord Darby's service, " Sir Aymeradmonished. "He is traitor to the King, and will die on the blockwithin the month. "

The Gorges raised the hem of the Countess' gown and kissed it; andtaking her hand placed it on his head. 

"I am your man, " he said. "Henceforth do with me as to you may seemgood. "

XXVI

THE JUDGMENT OF THE KING

In the Painted Chamber of the Palace of Westminster the Court wasgathered. Through the great long room, amid the soft light of scoresupon scores of candles, moved the gorgeously attired throng--waitingfor the King whose usual hour of entrance was long since past. Andcuriosity was rife, and uneasiness in the atmosphere. 

For the times were sadly unsettled; and among those who had for aninstant hesitated between Tudor and Plantagenet--and their number wasnot small--there was grave anxiety, lest their faint loyalty had cometo Richard's ears. And to such it was scarce a comforting reflectionthat, in Exeter, the headsman had just done his grim work upon St. Leger; albeit he were husband of the King's own sister. If he werecondemned for treason, even though it were open and notorious, who thatwere tainted ever so slightly were likely to be spared?

But all the while, the ladies laughed and chatted gayly, and theknights bowed and smiled and answered back in kind; and the throng as awhole seemed to be without a shred of care. 

At one group of young matrons there was much merriment; and as LordDarby chanced to stroll by, they hailed him banteringly, inviting himto join them. But he declined with sarcastic pleasantry. 

"Fie, sir! It was not a gallant speech, " cried the Lady Strange, witha toss of her golden locks; "and if your tongue be as acid always, there is small wonder that rumor gave another precedence in the favorof the Countess of Clare. "

Darby halted and bowed low and long--very low and very long. 

"Your ladyship does me too much honor, " he said, with well assumedhumility, "in even thinking of the Countess of Clare and my poor selfin the same moment. "

"Doubtless I do--since your devotion was too feeble even to send you toher rescue. "

"And now you do me deep injustice; I sought the Countess from the dayfollowing the abduction until all hope was gone. Methinks alas! shehas long since been gathered with the Saints. "

The Countess of Ware--the Lady Mary Percy that was--laughed with gibingintonation. 

"There is one, at least, who has not ceased to hope and to search, " shesaid. 

"And has been as successful as myself, " he retorted, nor hid the sneer. 

"But if he find her?"

Darby shrugged his shoulders. "Think you there is recognition in thespirit world?"

"Then you actually believe the Countess dead?" the Lady Lovel asked. 

"Beyond all question, madam. It is near three months since theabduction and a trace of her has yet to be discovered;" and was goingon when the Countess of Ware stopped him. 

"Can you tell us what detains the King?" she asked. 

"I have no notion, " he replied. "I saw him an hour or so ago and hewas in the best of health and humor. "

"Your news is stale, " she laughed; "a King's humor an hour old is veryancient. "

"True, " said Darby, "true indeed, yet here comes one who can doubtlessanswer fittingly. . . Sir Ralph, what delays His Majesty?"

But De Wilton looked him straight in the face, and with never a word inreply, passed on. 

And at that moment the Black Rod entered, and behind him came the King. 

Save for the crimson lining of his short gown, he was clad in whitefrom head to foot, an ivory boar with eyes of rubies and tusks ofsapphires, pinned the feather in his bonnet, about his neck hung theGeorge, and his only weapon was the diamond hilted dagger at hisgirdle. With it he toyed, looking neither to the right nor to theleft, nor yet to the front; but rather at the mental picture of oneengrossed in thought. 

Slowly and with the impressive dignity that was the natural heritage ofthe Plantagenets, he mounted the steps to the Throne and turning facedhis Court; and all bowed low, and then in silence waited, while hisdark eyes searched them through. 

"You may take your places, my Lord Cardinal and Lord Chancellor, " hesaid. "Her Majesty will not join us until later. "

Bowing in response, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop ofLincoln assumed their stools on the third step of the dais; and thecrowd, released from the ceremonial calm, began to buzz softly withconversation, though without taking eye from the King. And they turnedquickly dumb again as Richard raised his hand. 

"We will have to beg your kind indulgences if, for a while, we delaythe games and the dance, " he said. "It is a most unhappy chance uponthis evening of all others, when we are about to celebrate our safereturn from rebellious war, that there has come to us evidences offoulest crime and darkest treason by one high in rank and station, andwho is, even now, within sound of my voice. "

Over the Court ran a shiver of apprehension; and men eyed one anotherwith misgiving and drew within themselves; while the women, with facessuddenly gone white and lips a tremble, clutched the hands of thosemost dear, as though to shield them from the doom about to fall. Forgreen in the memory was Hastings, and Rivers, and Buckingham, and St. Leger, and the stern suddenness of their taking off. 

"Perchance, it were more suitable, " the King went on, "that matters ofsuch import be deferred to the quiet of the council chamber and theCourt of the Lord High Steward; and in particular, that there should benone of the gentler sex in presence. Yet for reasons which to me seemadequate and proper, I have determined otherwise. He who is chargedwith these crimes is now among you; and by you, my lords and my ladies, shall he be adjudged. Stand forth, Henry, Lord Darby of Roxford. "

The gasp that soughed through the room as Richard spoke the name wasfar more of relief than of wonder, and instantly all eyes sought theaccused. 

And he met them with a shrug of indifference and a smiling face. Anddown the aisle that opened to him he went--debonair and easy--until hestood before the Throne. There he bent knee for an instant; then, erect and unruffled, he looked the King defiantly in the eye. 

"Here stand I to answer, " he said. "Let the charges be preferred. "

Richard turned to the Black Rod. 

"Summon the accusers, " he ordered. 

As the Usher backed from the room, there arose a hissing of whispersthat changed sharply to exclamations of surprise as in formal tones heheralded:

"Sir John de Bury! Sir Aymer de Lacy!"

The elder Knight leaned on the other's arm as they advanced; butdropped it at the Throne and both made deep obeisance. An impatientglance from the King brought instant quiet. 

"Sir John de Bury and Sir Aymer de Lacy, " he, said, "you have madecertain grave accusations touching Henry, Lord Darby of Roxford. Hestands here now to answer. Speak, therefore, in turn. "

De Bury stepped forward and faced Darby, who met him with folded armsand scornful front. 

"I charge Henry, Lord Darby, " he said, "with having abducted and heldprisoner, in his castle of Roxford and elsewhere, my niece, the LadyBeatrix de Beaumont, Countess of Clare. "

A cry of amazement burst from the Court, but Richard silenced it with agesture. 

"You have heard, my lord, " he said. "What is your plea?"

"Not guilty, Sire. "

At a nod from the King, De Lacy took place beside Sir John. 

"I charge Henry, Lord Darby of Roxford, " he cried, "with high treason, in that he aided and a betted the Duke of Buckingham in his laterebellion, and stood prepared to betray his Sovereign on the field ofbattle. "

"You hear, my lord, " said the King. "What is your plea?"

But Darby did not answer; and for a while Richard watched himcuriously, as with half-bared dagger and lips drawn back in rage, heglowered upon De Lacy, forgetful of all things save his hate. And soimminent seemed the danger, that Aymer put hand to his own poniard andfell into the posture to receive attack. And doubtless there, beforethe Throne itself, would these two men have fought to the death forvery lust of the other's blood, had not the clear, stern voice of theKing aroused them, like cold water in a sleeping face. 

"Do you not hear, Lord Darby? We await your plea!"

"Not guilty, " Darby answered in tones husky with rage. "And I demandwager of battle, as against the foul charge of this foreign slandererand liar. "

"I pray you, my Liege, to grant it to the traitor, " said De Lacyeagerly. 

But Richard waved him back. "The wager is refused. By the evidenceshall the judgment be. Proceed, Sir Aymer de Lacy, we will hear youfirst. "

The Knight drew a packet from his doublet. 

"I offer herewith, " he said, "the dying statement of Henry Stafford, late Duke of Buckingham, touching the part taken in his rebellion bythe accused. "

"I object to it!" Darby cried. 

"For what reason?"

"Because its execution has not been proven; and because, even ifgenuine, it is incompetent as being by a condemned traitor. "

"Let me see the paper, " said the King. . . "It is regular, on itsface--signed by Stafford under his own seal and attested by Sir RichardRatcliffe and Sir John Kendale. Do you wish their testimony?"

Lord Darby bowed. 

"Sir Richard Ratcliffe and Sir John Kendale, " the King said, as theystood forth, "do you each testify on honor that these are yourrespective signatures, and that you saw Henry Stafford sign and affixhis seal hereto?"

"We do, upon our knightly honor, " they replied. 

"It would appear, Sir John, that the body of this document is in yourhandwriting. "

"It is, Your Majesty. I wrote it at request of Stafford and at hisdictation. "

"Where?"

"In his room in the Blue Boar Inn in the town of Salisbury. "

"When?"

"On the afternoon of the second day of November last. When the Dukehad signed it he went direct to execution. "

"And this document?" the King questioned. 

"Was kept by me until presented to Your Majesty that same evening; andby your direction deposited among your private papers, whence I took ita few minutes since to give to Sir Aymer de Lacy. "

Another murmur of astonishment went up from the Court, but died quicklyunder Richard's glance. 

"Methinks, my lord, " he said addressing Darby, "the paper has beensufficiently proven and is competent as a dying declaration of aco-conspirator. Therefore, we admit it. . . Read it, my LordChancellor. "

The Bishop arose and spreading out the parchment began:

"I, Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, being about to suffer on theblock (which even now stands ready before my window) do hereby make, publish and declare this as and for my dying declaration; trusting thatthereby I may be of service to one who, though my foe in war, has beenmy friend in peaceful days, and now, as well, when all others haveforsaken and betrayed me--and may, at the same time, bring to justice apair of caitiffs. By these presents, do I denounce and proclaim Henry, Lord Darby, and John Morton, ycleped Bishop of Ely, as perjured andforsworn traitors to Richard, King of England, as well as betrayers oftheir plighted faith to me. Further, do I hereby admonish RichardPlantagenet that this Darby (whom I have but this hour observed amonghis forces in this town) and the aforesaid priest, Morton, are theinstigators of my rebellion; that these two aided me in all thescheming of the plot; that to Darby was assigned the proclaiming ofHenry Tudor in Yorkshire and the North; and that, within one week ofthe day set for the rising, he was at Brecknock and completed the finaldetails. That he was a double traitor I knew not until I saw him herein the courtyard this day. Also, I denounce----"

"Stay, my Lord Bishop!" the King interjected. "Read no further for thepresent. "

"Since when, I pray, Sire, has it become the law of England to admitonly such part of a paper as may suit the prosecution's plan?" Darbycried. 

"You wish it read entire?" Richard asked. 

"Marry, that I do. Since I am already judged, it can work me no hurt. "

Richard looked at him fixedly. "You are overbold, sirrah!"

"Those who speak truth to a King must needs be so, " was the curtrejoinder. 

"Steady your tongue, Lord Darby, " said Richard sternly, "else may theTower teach you respect for England's King. "

"Think you, then, I should find the young Fifth Edwardthere------alive?" sneered Darby. 

For a moment, Richard's eyes flashed like sparks springing from theclashing of two angry swords. Then he smiled; and the smile was moreominous than the sparks. 

"Be easy, sir; the remainder of the declaration shall be read inseason, " he said very quietly. "But first, will you reply now toStafford's allegation, or shall we proceed with Sir John de Bury'scharge?"

If this were all the evidence of treason Darby was in small danger andit behooved him to change his bearing. 

"I did Your Majesty grave wrong in presuming you had prejudged me, " hesaid with a frank smile, "for well I know that on such shallowfalsehoods no man could ever be condemned. And here do I place my ownknightly word against the traitor Buckingham's; and do specificallydeny all that has been read by the Lord Chancellor. And further, do Isolemnly affirm that neither by voice nor deed have I been recreant tomy oath of allegiance, nor false to you. Moreover, Sire, my veryaction in the rebellion attests my truth: Did I not hasten to join yourarmy with all the force at my disposal? Have I not been ever honestand faithful?"

And with arms folded proudly on his breast, he waited for theacquittance that seemed to be his due. 

"As the case stands now, it would be our duty and our pleasure topronounce you guiltless, " Richard replied. "But it so chances thatthere is still another witness on the charge of treason, whosetestimony deals also with the abduction. Wherefore, we shall beobliged to mingle somewhat the two matters and so to withhold ourjudgment until the trial is ended and all the evidence is in. . . MyLord Chancellor, proceed with the reading. "

The Bishop resumed:

"Also, I denounce the said Henry, Lord Darby, as the abductor of theCountess of Clare whom, he told me, he by pre-arrangement with her hadseized one night in September and had carried to his castle--she lovinghim, but being coerced by the King into marrying another. And I, believing him, promised that he should wed her and receive her landsand title when Henry Tudor became King. Only to-day did I learn thathe had taken the maid by force, and that his story of her love for himwas pure falsehood. And it gratifies me much that, perchance, thesewords may aid in the lady's rescue and her dastardly abductor'spunishment. In testimony to the truth whereof, and in fullappreciation of impending death, I hereunto set my hand and affix myseal of the Swan. Given at the Inn of the Blue Boar, in the town ofSalisbury, this second day of November, in the year of Grace 1483. "

The Chancellor folded the parchment. "I have finished, Sire, " he said. 

"Now, Lord Darby, you have had your wish and heard the statement fulland entire, " the King admonished. "If it has not improved your case, the next witness, methinks, is scarce likely to better it. "

At a sign, the Black Rod again withdrew, and once more there wasprofoundest silence; and upon the doorway in the corner all eyes wereturned, save those of the accused. He stood stolid and defiant glaringat De Lacy. Then a cry went up, and after it came cheers and loudapplause. Nor did Richard offer to rebuke it, but himself leanedforward smiling. 

Aroused at this, Lord Darby glanced around--and suddenly his face wentpale, and red, and pale again; and he staggered slightly, passing hishand across his forehead in a dazed-like way. For there, advancingtoward the Throne, hand in hand with the Queen, was the woman hethought securely hid in far distant Roxford Castle. 

Then sharp panic seized him and he turned to flee. 

But close behind him was the wall of courtiers, and beyond flashed thehalberds of the guard. Straightway, the terror passed, and he wasagain the cool soldier, contemptuous and indifferent--though he sawfull well the case would go against him and that death was drawingnear. And so he waited, utterly forgotten for the moment, amid thegladsome welcome for the Countess of Clare, whom all long since hadgiven up for dead. 

At the foot of the dais Beatrix stopped, but the Queen would not haveit so, and with gentle insistence she drew her up the steps. AndRichard met them half way, and with him on one side and the Queen onthe other, she stood before the Court. 

Then the King raised his hand for silence. 

"Behold!" he said, "the lost Lady of Clare!" and kissed her fingertips, while the cheers swelled forth afresh. 

She curtsied low in response, and sought to descend to her place. ButRichard detained her. 

"Fair Countess, " he said, "the Lord Darby stands here accused of yourabduction, and of complicity in the late rebellion; we have sent foryou to testify your knowledge in these matters. "

Beatrix's face grew grave, and for a little while she made no answer. 

"I implore you, Sire, relieve me from the duty, " she said. "Safe nowand freed from my captor's power, I want never to look upon him nor tospeak his name, being well content to let God in His Providence punishthe crime against me. "

"Your words are earnest of your gracious heart, " said the King. "Butfor the honor and name of fair England, it may not be settled so. IfLord Darby be guilty, then must he suffer punishment, were it for noother reason than that our laws demand it. If he be innocent, it ishis bounden right to receive full acquittance here in the presence ofthose before whom he has been arraigned. Speak! as your Sovereign Icommand. Who was your abductor?"

The Countess clasped her hands before her and hesitated. Then for thefirst time, she let her eyes rest upon Darby; and the sight of himseemed to nerve her; and she raised her arm and pointed at him withaccusing finger, while her voice rang out full and strong:

"There he stands--Lord Darby of Roxford! By his orders I was seizedand carried to his castle, where he came and sought first to persuade, and then to force me into marriage with him. And when I scorned him, he swore with words insulting he would hold me prisoner until he andBuckingham had made a King of Henry Tudor, when he would wed me whetherI wished or no. Later it seems he somewhat changed his plans, andinstead of joining openly with Henry he remained with you, Sire; yetwith full intention, as he, himself, assured me, to cleave to whateverside was winning in the battle. So was he sure, he said, to be infavor with whomever wore the crown. Of all these crimes and treasonsis yonder false lord guilty. And had not Sir John De Bury and SirAymer de Lacy carried by storm his Castle of Roxford, I would yet be aprisoner to him. "

And the very thought brought quick reaction and her courage ebbed, andturning her back upon the Court, she covered her face with her hands. 

Through the swift denunciation Lord Darby had stood with impassive faceand eyes that never flinched, looking straight at the Countess; then heshifted his glance to the King. He knew that the words just utteredhad confirmed his doom--that in all that throng there was no friend forhim, nor even one to do him favor. A score of lies or a flood ofdenials would be unavailing to win so much as a glance of sympathy. Hehad essayed a game with Destiny; he had lost and must pay penalty--andhe never doubted what that penalty would be with Richard Plantagenethis judge. But at least, he would wring a cry of pain from the heartof his enemy--and he smiled and waited. 

Then the King spoke: "We will hear you now, Lord Darby. "

"I thank Your Gracious Majesty for the stern impartialness of thistrial, " he said with biting sarcasm. "It was planned as skillfully aswas a certain other in the White Tower, adown the Thames, when Hastingswas the victim"--and he gave his sneering laugh; and then repeated it, as he remarked the shudder it brought to the Countess. "Nathless I amnot whimpering. I have been rash; and rashness is justified only bysuccess. For I did abduct the Countess of Clare, and have her carriedto my Castle of Roxford. So much is truth. " Then he faced Sir Aymerde Lacy and went on with a malevolent smile. "But she was not aprisoner there, nor did I take her against her wish. She went byprearrangement, and remained with me of her own free will. I thoughtshe loved me, and believed her protestations of loathing for theupstart De Lacy who, she said, was pursuing her with his suit, And whenshe begged me to take her with me and risk your Majesty's anger, Iyielded; and to the end that we might wed, I did embark, in theplottings of the Duke of Buckingham, upon his engagement, for the TudorHenry, that our union would be sanctioned. Later, when the lady seemedso happy with me at Roxford, methought the marriage could bide a bit, and so resolved to wait until the battle to choose between Plantagenetand Tudor. Having the girl, I could then get the estates as payment ofmy service to the victor. But it would seem I risked too much upon thelady's love. For while I was at the wars, either she tired of me andso deserted Roxford, or having been found there by De Bury and theFrenchman, as she says, she deemed it wise to play the innocent andwronged maiden held in durance by her foul abductor. Leastwise, whosodesires her now is welcome to her, " and he laughed again. 

Then could De Lacy endure it no longer; and casting off De Bury'srestraining arm, he flashed forth his dagger and sprang toward Darby. But as he leaped Sir Richard Ratcliffe caught him round the neck andheld him for the space that was needful for him to gather back his wits. 

"For God's sake, man, be calm!" he said, as he loosed him. "LetRichard deal with him. "

And the Countess, as Darby's vile insinuations reached her ears, drewherself up and gently putting aside the Queen, turned and faced him. And her mouth set hard, and her fingers clenched her palmsconvulsively. So, she heard him to the end, proudly and defiantly; andwhen he had done, she raised her hand and pointed at him once again. 

"Though I am a woman, " she exclaimed, "here do I tell you, Lord Darby, you lie in your throat!"

"Aye, my lady! that he does, " a strange voice called; and from thedoorway strode Simon Gorges, the anger on his ugly face flaming red asthe hair above it. 

"May I speak, Sire?" he demanded, halting before the Throne andsaluting the King in brusque, soldier fashion. 

"Say on, my man, " said Richard. 

"Then hear you all the truth, touching this dirty business, " he criedloudly. "I am Flat-Nose. At Lord Darby's order, I waylaid and seizedby force the Countess of Clare, and carried her to Roxford Castle. Never for one moment went she of her own accord, and never for onemoment stayed she willingly. She was prisoner there; ever watched andguarded, and not allowed outside the walls. In all the weeks she wasthere Lord Darby saw her only once. And when he spoke to her of love, she scorned and lashed him so with words methought he sure would killher, for I was just outside the door and heard it all. "

"Truly, Sire, you have arranged an entertainment more effective than Ihad thought even your deep brain could scheme, " Darby sneered, asGorges paused for breath. . . "What was your price, Simon? It shouldhave been a goodly one. "

"Measure him not by your standard, my fair lord, " said the King. "Heheld your castle until none but him was left; and even then yielded notto his assailants, but only to the Countess. "

"And upon the strict engagement that I should not be made to bearevidence against you, " Flat-Nose added. "But even a rough man-at-armswould be thrice shamed to hear a woman so traduced and not speak in herfavor. Therefore, my lord, I, too, say you lie. "

But Darby only shrugged his shoulders and bowed to the Countess. 

"Your ladyship is irresistible, " he said, "since you have wiles forboth the master and the man. "

"Shame! Shame!" exclaimed the grey-haired Norfolk, and the wholethrong joined in the cry. 

Then forth stepped Sir Aymer de Lacy. 

"I pray you, my liege, " said he, "grant me leave to avenge upon thebody of yonder lord the wrongs the Countess of Clare has suffered. "

Beatrix made a sharp gesture of dissent and turned to the Kingappealingly. 

With a smile he reassured her. 

"Not so, De Lacy, " he said kindly. "We do not risk our faithfulsubjects in combat with a confessed traitor. There are those appointedwho care for such as he. . . Nay, sir, urge me not--it is altogetheruseless. " And he motioned Aymer back to his place. 

Then he faced Lord Darby, who met him with a careless smile. 

"Out of your own mouth have you condemned yourself, " he said. "Andthere is now no need for verdict by your Peers. It remains but to passupon you the judgment due your crimes. And first: for your foul wrongto the Countess of Clare and through her, to all womankind, here, inher presence and before all the Court, you shall be degraded. "

Darby's face flushed and he took a quick step backward, like onestricken by a sudden blow. But he made no reply, save from his angryeyes. 

"What say you, Flat-Nose; will you execute the office?" the King asked. 

"And it please you, Sire, I cannot do such shame upon my formermaster, " Gorges answered bluntly. 

"It does please me well, sirrah; though truly your face belies yourheart. . . What, ho! the guard! . . . Let the under-officer comeforward. "

In a moment the tall form of Raynor Royk stalked out from the throng, and halting in the open he raised his halberd in salute. 

"Hew me off the spurs from yonder fellow, " the King ordered, with amove of his hand toward the condemned. 

Saluting again, the old soldier strode over and with two sharp blows ofhis weapon struck the golden insignia of Knighthood from Lord Darby'sheels. 

Nor did Darby make resistance; but with arms folded on his breast hesuffered it to be done, though his bosom heaved in the fierce struggleto be calm, and the flush left his face and it grew gray and drawn, andbitter agony looked out from his eyes. And many turned away theirheads. And on the dais the Countess had faced about, and the Queen andshe were softly weeping. 

Lifting the spurs from the pavement Raynor Royk held them up. 

"The order is executed, Sire, " he said. 

"Fling them into the ditch, " the King commanded. "They, too, arestained with dishonor. "

Then in tones cold and passionless, and wherein there was no shade ofmercy, he went on: "And now, Henry Darby--for Lord and Knight you areno longer--you have suffered penalty for one crime, hear the judgmentfor the other: As false to your oath of fealty and traitor to yourKing, the sentence is that you be taken hence to Tyburn and therehanged by the neck until dead--and may the Lord Omnipotent have pity onyour soul. Remove him. "

"Come, " said Raynor Royk, and led him through the crowd, which drewshudderingly aside to give him passage. 

And Darby--stunned by the stern justice that had sent him to die acommon felon on Tyburn Tree, instead of as a Lord and Peer of England, on the block on Tower Hill--went with dazed brain and silently; and erehis faculties returned, he was among the guards in the rear. Then witha sudden twist he turned about and shouted with all his voice:

"Long live Henry Tudor!"

It was his last defiance. The next instant he was dragged outside andthe doors swung shut behind him; while from all the Court went up theanswering cry:

"Long live Plantagenet! God save the King!"

And when silence came the Countess and De Lacy were gone. 

"So, " said Sir Aymer, as Beatrix and he reached the quiet of theQueen's apartments, "your troubles end--the sun shines bright again. "

The Countess sank into a chair and drew him on the arm beside her. 

"My troubles ended when you crossed the courtyard of Roxford, " shereplied, taking his hand in both her own, "but yours have not begun. "

"Wherefore, sweetheart?" he asked. "I thought mine, too, had endedthere. "

"No, " with a shake of the ruddy head . . . "no. . . Your heaviesttroubles are yet to come. "

He looked at her doubtfully. . . "And when do they begin?"

She fell to toying with her rings and drawing figures on her gown. 

"That is for you to choose, " she said, with a side-long glance. . . "Next year, may be, . . . To-morrow, if you wish. "

"You mean------?" he cried. 

She sprang away with a merry laugh--then came slowly back to him. 

"I mean, my lord, they will begin . . . When you are Earl of Clare. "

THE END