[Illustration: "Yield Thee in the King's Name"]

A BOY'S RIDE

BYGULIELMA ZOLLINGER

1909

ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVER DESIGNBY FANNY M. CHAMBERS

ILLUSTRATIONS

"Yield thee in the king's name!"

Hugo seeks shelter within the walls

"Thou art welcome, my lad, " said Lady De Aldithely

"It is well thou hast me to lead thee"

Humphrey and Hugo in the oak tree

The little spy and Humphrey

Hugo looked about him with interest

Humphrey started up, snatching a great bunch of long, flaming reeds

None knew which way to turn to escape

Richard Wood finds Walter Skinner

Walter Skinner's horse refused to be controlled

Richard Wood beckoned the Saxons to approach

He rode to the edge of the moat and looked down

Humphrey in priest's garb

Bartlemy bore garments for disguise

Humphrey, half turning in his saddle, saw a priest

A BOY'S RIDE

CHAPTER I

It was the last of May in the north of England, in the year 1209. Avery different England from what any boy of to-day has seen. A chillyeast wind was blowing. The trees of the vast forests were all in leafbut the ash trees, and they were unfolding their buds. And along abridle-path a few miles southwest of York a lad of fourteen was riding, while behind him followed a handsome deerhound. A boy of fourteen, atthat age of the world, was an older and more important personage thanhe is to-day. If he were well-born he had, generally, by this time, served his time as a page and was become an esquire in the train ofsome noble lord. That this lad had not done so was because his uncle, aprior in whose charge he had been reared since the early death of hisparents, had designed him for a priest. Priest, however, he haddeclined to be, and his uncle had now permitted him to go forthunattended to attach himself as page to some lord, if he could. 

To-day he seemed very much at home in the great wood as he glancedabout him fearlessly, but so he would have been anywhere. Apparently hewas unprotected from assault save by the bow he carried. In reality hewore a shirt of chain mail beneath his doublet, a precaution which hethe more willingly took because of his good hope one day to be aknight, when not only the shirt of mail, but the helmet, shield, sword, and lance would be his as well. 

It was not far from noon when he came to the great open place clearedof all timber and undergrowth which announced the presence of a castle. And looking up, he saw the flag of the De Aldithelys flying from itsturrets. 

There was a rustle in the thicket, horse and deerhound pricked up theirears, and then ran pursued by flying arrows. And now ride! ride, mybrave boy, and seek shelter within the walls! For till thou reach them, thy shirt of mail must be thy salvation. 

The drawbridge was yet down, for a small party of men-at-arms had justbeen admitted, and across it rushed boy, and horse, and dog before thewarder had time to wind his horn: the horse and rider unharmed, but thedeerhound wounded. 

[Illustration: Hugo Seeks Shelter within the Walls]

The warder stared upon the strange boy, and the boy stared back at him. And then the warder crossed himself. "'Tis some witchcraft, " hemuttered. "Here cometh the young lord, and all the time I know that theyoung lord is safe within the walls. "

The grooms also crossed themselves before they drew up the bridge. Butthe boy, unconcerned, rode on across the outer court and passed intothe inner one followed by the wounded dog. Here the men-at-arms weredismounting, horses were neighing, and grooms running about. The boy, too, dismounted, and bent anxiously over his dog. 

Presently a young voice demanded, "Whence comest thou?"

The boy looked up to see his counterpart, the son of the lord of thecastle, standing imperiously before him. 

"From York, " answered the stranger, briefly. "Hast thou a leech thatcan care for my dog? See how he bleeds. "

"Oh, ay, " was the answer. "But how came he wounded? He hath beendeer-stealing, perchance, and the ranger hath discovered him. "

"Nay, " replied the strange lad, in tones the echo of his questioner's. "Thou doest Fleetfoot wrong. We were but pursuing our way when fromyonder thicket to the north and adjoining the open, a flight of arrowscame. I had been sped myself but for my shirt of mail. "

The leech had now advanced and was caring skilfully for the dog whilethe strange lad looked on, now and then laying a caressing hand on thehound's head. 

Meanwhile the men-at-arms conferred together and exchanged wise lookswhile a stout and clumsy Saxon serving-man of about forty shook hishead. "I did dream of an earthquake no longer ago than night beforelast, " he said, "which is a dream that doth ever warn the dreamer andall concerned with him to be cautious and careful. Here cometh ridingthe twin of our young lord: and the Evil One only knoweth how thisstranger hath the nose, the eyes, the mouth, the complexion, the gait, the size, and the voice of our young lord, Josceline De Aldithely. Thinkest thou not, William Lorimer, it were cautious and careful to puthim and his hound outside the walls, to say nothing of his horse?"

William Lorimer, the captain of the men-at-arms, smiled in derision. Agreat belief in dreams and omens was abroad in the land: and nowherehad it a more devoted adherent than in Humphrey, the Saxon serving-man, and nowhere a greater scoffer than in William Lorimer. 

"I see thou scoffest, William Lorimer, " pursued Humphrey. "But were heput out, then might those minions of the king shoot at him once more, and spare to shoot at our young lord. I will away to our lady, and seewhat she ordereth. "

There had always been times in England when no man who stood in the wayof another was safe, but these were the times when women and childrenwere not safe. For perhaps the wickedest king who ever sat upon theEnglish throne occupied it now, and his name was John. 

This king had tried to snatch the kingdom from his brother, RichardCoeur de Lion, and had failed. When Richard was dead, and John was madeking in his stead, there was still another claimant to the throne, --hisnephew Arthur, --and him the king in 1204 had murdered, so report said, with his own hand. This was the deed that lost him Normandy and all hisother French possessions, and shut him up to rule in England alone. Andthe English soon had enough of him. He was now in a conflict with thePope, who had commanded him to receive Stephen Langton as Archbishop ofCanterbury. This John had refused to do. Now, the kingdom, on accountof the king's disobedience, was under the papal interdict, and the kingwas threatened with excommunication. 

England had at this time many, many churches, and their bells, beforethis unfortunate situation, had seemed to be ringing all day long. Theyrang to call the people to the ordinary church services; they rang tocall them to work, and to bid them cease from work. They rang when ababy was born, and when there was a death. And for many other thingsthey rang. Now, under the interdict, no bell rang. There were no usualchurch services, and everywhere was fasting. A strange England itseemed. 

The king had never gotten on well with his barons, and they hated him. Nevertheless they would have stood by him if he had been at all just tothem. And surely he needed them to stand by him, for all the world wasagainst him. The French were eager to fight him, and the Church wasarrayed against him. But all these things only made the king harder andmore unjust to the barons because just now they were the only ones inhis power, and his wicked heart was full of rage. He had hit upon onemeans of punishing them which they all could feel, --he struck themthrough their wives and children. Some of the barons were obliged toflee from England for their lives. Many were obliged to give the kingtheir sons as pledges of their loyalty. In every man's knowledge wasthe sad case of one baron who had been obliged to flee with his wifeand son into hiding. The king, through his officers, had pursued them, ferreted them out of their hiding-place, taken the wife and soncaptive, shut them up in prison, and starved them to death. Lord DeAldithely himself had been obliged to flee, but his son would never bedelivered up peaceably to the king's messengers, for De Aldithelycastle was strong and well defended. 

This was the meaning of the arrows shot at the strange boy. The king'smessengers, who were constantly spying on the castle from the wood inthe hope of gaining possession of the person of the young lord bystratagem, had taken him for Josceline, the young heir of the DeAldithelys. 

And now came a summons for both lads to come to the ladies' bower, forHumphrey had not been idle. 

"My change of raiment?" said the strange lad, inquiringly. 

"Shall be in thy chamber presently, " answered Josceline. 

"I would that Fleetfoot also might be conveyed thither, " said thestranger, with an engaging smile. 

"It shall be done, " promised Josceline. 

He gave the necessary commands to two grooms, and the lads, each thecounterpart of the other, waited a few moments and then started towardthe tower stairway, followed by the grooms bearing the huge dog betweenthem on a stretcher. The stair was steep, narrow, and winding, andbuilt of stone. Josceline went first, and was followed by the stranger, who every now and then glanced back to speak a reassuring word to hisdog. At the entrance to the ladies' bower Josceline paused. "Thoumayest, if thou like, lay the dog for a while on a skin by my mother'sfire, " he said, and looked inquiringly at his guest. 

"That would I be glad to do, " was the grateful reply. "See how heshivers from the loss of blood and the chill air. "

For answer Josceline waved his hand toward his mother's parlor, and thegrooms, conveying the dog, obediently entered. For all but Humphrey, the Saxon serving-man, were accustomed to obey the young heirunquestioningly. But Humphrey obeyed no one without question. It wasoften necessary to convince his rather slow reason and his active andmany superstitions before his obedience could be secured. No one elsein the castle would have dared to take his course, but Humphrey wasthus favored and trusted because he was born a servant in Lord DeAldithely's father's house, and was ten years older than the mistressof the castle, whose master was now gone. He had already told Lady DeAldithely all that he knew of the strange lad, and had advised her, with his accustomed frankness, to put lad, horse, and hound at oncewithout the castle walls. Lady De Aldithely had listened, and when hehad finished, without any comment, she had commanded him to send thetwo lads to her. 

For a moment Humphrey had seemed disappointed. Then recovering himselfhe had made answer, "Oh, ay. It will no doubt be best to see foryourself first, and there is no denying that the three can then be putoutside the walls. "

Receiving no reply, he had withdrawn and delivered his message. 

Lady De Aldithely was standing evidently in deep thought when thelittle group entered. The strange lad looked at her curiously. He saw aslight figure clad in a green robe, and as she turned he caught thegleam of a jewel in the golden fillet that bound her wimple on theforehead. Her eyes were blue, and her look one of high courage shadowedsomewhat by an expression of anxiety. One could well believe that, however anxious and worried she might be, she would still dare to dowhat seemed to her best. She now diligently and eagerly compared thetwo lads, glancing quickly from one to the other, and their exceedinggreat likeness to each other seemed to strike her with astonishment. Atlast she smiled and spoke to the stranger. "Thou art welcome, my lad, "she said kindly. "But whence comest thou? and what is thy name?"

[Illustration: "Thou Art Welcome My Lad" Said Lady De Aldithely]

"I am to-day from York, and I am called Hugo Aungerville, " was thefrank reply with an answering smile. 

"To-day, " repeated Lady De Aldithely. "That argueth that thy residenceis not there, as doth also thy name, which is strange to me. "

"Thou art right, " replied Hugo. "I come from beyond Durham, from thepriory of St. Wilfrid, the prior whereof is my uncle, I having no otherkin so near as he. "

"And whither dost thou journey?" asked Lady De Aldithely. 

"South, " was the answer. "My uncle, the prior, would have had me bred apriest, but I would be a knight. Therefore he hath at last given me hisblessing and bid me fare forth to attach myself to the train of somenobleman. "

"Why did he not secure thee a place himself?" asked Lady De Aldithelyin surprise. 

"Because he hath too great caution, " was the answer. "These betroublous times. Few be true to the king, and no man knoweth who thosefew be. Should he choose for me a place and use his influence to secureit, perchance the next week the noble lord might be fleeing, and all inhis service, under the hatred of the king. And there might be those whowould say, 'Here is Hugo Aungerville, the page to my lord, and thenephew of the prior of St. Wilfrid. ' And then might the king pull downthe priory about my uncle's ears, --that is, I mean he would set myuncle packing. For the priory is fat, and with the prior gone--why, theking is so much the richer. Thou knowest the king. "

"Too well, " rejoined Lady De Aldithely, with a sigh. "The Archbishop ofYork is 'gone packing, ' as thou sayest, and the king is all the richertherefor. And this is thy dog that hath the arrow wound, " shecontinued, as she advanced a few steps and laid her hand on the hound'shead. "I have here a medicament of wonderful power. " She turned to alittle casket on a table and unlocked it. Then taking out a smallflask, she opened it and, stooping over the dog, poured a few drops onthe bandage of his wound. "He is now as good as well, " she saidsmilingly. "That is, with our good leech's care, which he shall have. Nay, thou needst not speak thy thanks. They are written in thy face. Isee thou lovest thy dog. "

"Yea, my lady, right well. I have naught else to love. "

"Except thine uncle, the prior, " said Lady De Aldithely. 

"Except my uncle, " agreed Hugo. 

All this time Josceline had waited with impatience and he now spoke. "He is not to be put outside the walls, mother, is he?"

"Nay, my son. That were poor hospitality. He may bide here so long ashe likes. "

CHAPTER II

Life was rather monotonous at the castle, as Hugo found. Occasionallythe men-at-arms sallied out, but there were no guests, for Lady DeAldithely was determined to keep her son, if possible, and would trustfew strangers. It was a mystery to Humphrey why she had trusted Hugo. 

"I may have dreams of earthquakes, " he grumbled, "and what doth itcount? Naught. Here cometh a lad, most like sent by the Evil One, andhe is taken in, and housed and fed, and his hound leeched; and he goethoften to my lady's bower to chat with her; and often into the tilt-yardto practise with our young lord Josceline; and often lieth on therushes in the great hall at the evening time before the fire with themen-at-arms; and he goeth to the gates with the warder and the grooms;and on the walls with William Lorimer; and Robert Sadler followeth himabout to have speech with him and to hear what he will say; and he isas good as if he were My Lord Hugo with everybody, when he is but Hugo, a strange lad, and no lord at all. "

It was as Humphrey had said. Hugo was a favorite with all in thecastle. His company was a great solace to Lady De Aldithely inparticular. She was drawn to trust him, and every day confided more andmore to him concerning her painful and perilous situation. "I amconvinced, " she said one day when two weeks had passed, "that there ismischief brewing. I fear that I shall lose my boy, and it will breakhis father's heart. "

Hugo looked sympathetic. 

"Thou knowest that fathers' hearts can break, " she said. "Our firstKing Henry fell senseless when his son was lost. "

"What fearest thou, Lady De Aldithely?" asked Hugo. 

"Treachery, " was the answer. "There is some one within the castle wallswho will ere long betray us. "

Hugo was silent a while. He was old for his years, very daring, andfond of adventure. And he loved Lady De Aldithely not only for herkindness to him, but for the attention she had given to Fleetfoot. Atlast he spoke. "I have a plan. But, perchance, thou mistakest and thereis no traitor within the walls. "

Lady De Aldithely looked at him quickly. "Nay, I am not mistaken, " shesaid. 

"Then this is my plan, " announced Hugo. "Josceline and I be alike. Iwill personate him. In a week Fleetfoot will be quite recovered. Wewill go forth. They who watch will think they see Josceline and pursueme. I will lead them a merry chase, I warrant thee. "

"But, my boy!" cried Lady De Aldithely. "What wild plan is this? Thoulead such evil men a merry chase? Speak rather of the dove leading thehawk a merry chase. "

"Even so I will lead them, " declared Hugo. "If they catch me, theyshall do well. "

Lady De Aldithely smiled at the boyish presumption. "My poor lad!" shesaid. "How if they catch thee with an arrow as they caught Fleetfoot?Thou mightest find no castle then to give thee shelter, no leech tosalve thy wound. "

"For thee, because of thy kindness, I will risk that, " declared Hugo, after a pause. 

Lady De Aldithely put up her hand. "Hush!" she said. "Speak no more atpresent to me, and nothing on the subject at any time to any but me. Ihear footsteps. "

The footsteps, bounding and light, drew nearer, and presently Joscelinelooked in at the door. "Come, Hugo!" he cried. "Let us away to thetilt-yard and do our exercise. "

Josceline was already an esquire, and very diligent in the exercisesrequired of an esquire as a part of his training for knighthood. Butnot more diligent than Hugo had been during his stay at the castle. ForHugo felt himself at a disadvantage on account of having been bred upat the priory, and was eager to make up for his shortcomings. In alltheir practice Robert Sadler, one of the men-at-arms, was present. Andboth boys liked him very well. He was not a young man, being some sixtyyears old, and gray and withered. He was of Irish parentage, and shortin stature; and he had a tongue to which falsehood was not so much astranger as the truth. He was also as inquisitive as a magpie, andready to put his own ignorant construction on all that he saw andheard. The two boys, however, had never stopped to think of hischaracter. He was always praising their performances in the tilt-yard, and always deferring to them, so that they regarded him very favorablyand were quite ready to abide by his judgment. To-day he was waitingfor them with a tall horse which he held by the bridle. "I would fainsee both of you vault over him, " he said. 

Josceline advanced, put one hand on the saddlebow and the other on thehorse's neck, and vaulted over fairly well. After him came Hugo, whoseperformance was about equal to Josceline's. 

"It was the cousin to the king that could not do so well as that, "commented Robert Sadler. 

"And how knowest thou that?" asked Josceline, complacently. "Didst thousee him?"

"See him!" exclaimed Robert Sadler. "I have seen him more times thanthou art years old. And never did he do so well as thou and Hugo. "

With hearts full of pride the two went from vaulting over the horse tostriking heavy blows with a battle axe. 

"Ah!" cried Robert Sadler. "Could the cousin to the king see thestrokes that ye make, he were fit to die from shame. He can strike notmuch better than a baby. I could wish that all mine enemies mightstrike me no more heavily than the cousin to the king. "

"This cousin to the king must be worthless, " observed Josceline, hisface red from the exertion of striking. 

"Worthless!" exclaimed Robert Sadler. "It were not well that the kingheard that word, but a true word it is. Worthless he is. "

"I knew not that the king had a cousin, " observed Hugo, with upliftedaxe. 

"There was never a man born, " declared Robert Sadler, recklessly, "whohad not a cousin. And would the king that hath everything else belacking in a common thing like a cousin? Thy speech is well nightreasonable. But strike thou on. I will not stay to see thee put theking's cousin to shame, and then hear thee deny there is such a one. "And he stalked off to the stables leading the horse. 

"I fear thou hast angered him, " said Josceline. "But no matter. He willnot harbor anger long. " And so it proved. For before the two hadfinished striking he had returned to the tilt-yard apparently full ofgood humor. 

Two days went by. Then Lady De Aldithely spoke again to Hugo of hisproject. "Hast abandoned thy plan?" she asked. 

"Nay, my lady, " he replied. "How should I abandon it? Is it not a goodone?"

"Good for my son, " admitted Lady De Aldithely, "but bad for thee. "

"Thou wilt find it will be bad for neither, " said Hugo, stoutly. "I amresolved. "

Lady De Aldithely sighed in relief. "Come nearer, " she said. "I wouldconfide in thee, and none but thou must hear. I have discovered thetraitor within our walls. For a sum of money he will deliver my son tothe king. Ask me not how. I have discovered it. "

Hugo looked at her and his eyes flashed indignation. "DeliverJosceline, he shall not!" he cried. 

"He could but for thee, for we are powerless. "

"Then again I say, he shall not. "

"Come nearer still, " said Lady De Aldithely. "I would tell thee theman's name. What sayest thou to Robert Sadler?"

Hugo stared. "Robert Sadler!" he repeated. "Why, 'tis he of all themen-at-arms, save William Lorimer, who is kindest to Josceline and me. He will be ever with us; in the tilt-yard, in the stables, in the hall, everywhere. "

"To watch you, " said Lady De Aldithely. "To mark what you say. To catchyour plans. "

"He shall catch no more plans from me!" cried Hugo, indignantly. "Iwill speak no more with him, nor be with him. "

"Ah, but thou must, " counselled Lady De Aldithely. "Wert thou to turnfrom him, as thou sayest, he would know at once thou hadst been warnedagainst him, and would hasten his own plans. What said he to theeyesterday?"

"He did ask me when I should leave the castle. "

Lady De Aldithely's face clouded with anxiety. "And what didst thouanswer?" she asked. 

"I said it might be one day and it might be another. For thou didstforbid me to speak of my plan. "

"I marvel at thy prudence, " smiled Lady De Aldithely. "Where didst thoulearn it?"

"From my uncle, the prior. He never telleth aught to any man. And noone can wring from him ay or nay by a question. "

"A blessing upon him!" breathed Lady De Aldithely. 

The boy's eyes brightened. "He is a good man, my uncle, the prior, " hesaid. "And ever he saith to me, 'In troublous times a prudent tongue isworth ten lances and shields. '"

Lady De Aldithely smiled. "May he keep his priory in peace, " she said. "'Twere a pity that he should lose it. "

Hugo looked at her gratefully. Not every one so leniently regarded theprior's prudence. In more than one quarter his reticence was severelyblamed. By some it was called cowardice, by others self-seeking. 

"And now thou knowest the worst, " said Lady De Aldithely. "Within threedays I will contrive to send Robert Sadler hence on an errand. When heis gone thou shalt go forth in the daylight, and that same night my sonand I will flee into Scotland. There, if no one tracks our steps, wemay be safe. Were I to drive Robert Sadler forth as a traitor, I knowfull well that some other would arise in his place to practisetreachery against us. And so we flee. "

And now Hugo drew himself proudly up. He felt that he was trusted andthat he was doing a knight's part in rescuing a lady in distress, though he had not, as yet, taken his knightly vow, and was not even anesquire. 

Lady De Aldithely saw it and smiled. "Thou must put off that high look, dear lad, " she said. "It might beget wonderment in the brain of RobertSadler, and so lead him to seek its cause. Look and act as thou hast inthe past. Call to mind thine uncle, the prior, and guard not only thytongue, but the glance of thine eye, and the carriage of thy body. "

Hugo blushed. "I fear I am like to mar all without thy counsel, " hesaid humbly. 

"Thou art but a lad, " replied Lady De Aldithely, kindly, "and mycounsel thou shalt freely have. And now I must tell thee that thou artto take our good Humphrey with thee on thy journey. "

Hugo started and looked disappointed. But all he said was, "Dost notthink him very like an old crone, with his dreams and his omens and hischarms?"

"I may not criticise Humphrey thus, " said Lady De Aldithely, gravely, "because I know his great faithfulness to me and mine. And thou knowestthere is much superstition abroad in the land--too much to make it justto single out Humphrey for dislike because he is tainted with it. Isend him with thee because I have the highest regard for thy safety. Thou wilt consent to take him to attend thee?"

"If thou require it, " answered Hugo, reluctantly. 

"I do require it, " said Lady De Aldithely, "and I thank thee foryielding. Now go. Come not again to me until Robert Sadler be well spedon his journey. Had I but known that he was treacherous and greedy ofgold, no matter how gained, he had never been admitted to these walls. "

Obediently Hugo left the apartment and slowly descended the windingstair. And almost at the small door of the stairway tower he foundRobert Sadler waiting for him. The traitor was growing impatient andwas now resolved to proceed more boldly. "Thou stayest long with herladyship, " he began. "I had thought the sun would set or ever thou camedown the stair. "

Hugo did not meet his glance. He was trying hard to conceal the suddenaversion he had to the man-at-arms, the sudden desire he felt to lookhim scornfully in the face, and then turn on his heel and leave him. And he knew he must succeed in his effort or Josceline was lost. 

Meanwhile the man-at-arms stole questioning glances at him. He couldsee that the boy was not his usual self, but he did not guess the causeof his changed manner. With his usual prying way he began:

"Thou hast been here now a fortnight and more. Perchance her ladyshipwill be rid of thee. Was't of that she spake to thee?"

And now Hugo had sufficiently conquered himself so that he dared tolift his eyes. Innocently he looked into the traitor's face. "We spakeof my uncle, the prior, " he said. 

For a moment Robert Sadler was silent. "That is it, " he thought. "Shewill send him packing back to his uncle. The lad wishes not to go. Therefore he looks down. Now is the time to ask him about the posternkey. When one is angered a little then is when he telleth what he hathdiscovered. "

He cast a searching look at Hugo, but by it he learned nothing. The boynow began to take his way toward the tilt-yard, and Robert Sadler keptclose at his side, talking as he went. 

"Women be by nature suspicious, you will find, " he began. "They be everthinking some one will be breaking in; and ever for having some one onguard. Her ladyship now--surely thou knowest she keepeth the posternkey herself, and will trust no one with it. The grooms and the warderat the great gate she will trust, but it is the postern she feareth, because she thinketh an enemy might be secretly admitted there. Knowestthou where she keepeth the key? I would but know in case my lordreturneth suddenly, and, perchance, pursued, since the king will havehis head or ever he cometh to his home, he hath such an enmity againsthim. And all because my lord spake freely on the murder of Arthur andother like matters. He might be sped to his death awaiting the openingof the postern while her ladyship was coming with the key. "

"Cometh the lord soon, then?" asked Hugo, interestedly. 

"That no man can tell, " answered Robert Sadler. "He is now safe oversea in France; but he might be lured back if he knew the young lordJosceline was in peril. "

"In peril, sayest thou?" asked Hugo. He was learning his lesson ofself-control fast. 

"Why else are we mewed up here in the castle?" demanded the man-at-arms. "I be weary of so much mewing-up. If the king will have our young lordJosceline to keep in his hand so that he may thereby muzzle his father, why, he is king. And he must have his will. Sooner or later he will haveit. Why, who can stand against the king?"

"And how can that muzzle his father?" asked Hugo. 

"Why, if Lord De Aldithely, who is a great soldier, and a great help tovictory wherever he fighteth, should join with King Louis of France tofight against our king--why, then it would go ill with Josceline if hewere biding in the king's hand. And, knowing this, his father wouldforbear to fight, and so be muzzled. "

"And Josceline would not otherwise be harmed?" asked Hugo. 

"Why, no man knoweth that, " admitted the man-at-arms. "The rage of theking against all who have offended him is now fierce, and he stoppethat nothing. "

"I know not so much as some of such matters, " observed Hugo, quietly. 

"Nor needest thou, " answered the man-at-arms. "It is sufficient forsuch as be of thy tender years to know the whereabouts of the posternkey. I would ask the young lord Josceline, but, merry as he is, heturneth haughty if one ask what he termeth a meddling question. Hewould say, 'What hast thou to do with the whereabouts of the posternkey?' And then he would away to his mother with a tale of me, and thekey would be more securely hidden than before. "

"And Lord De Aldithely still further endangered if he came riding andpursued?"

"Even so. I see that thou art a clever lad. Much cleverer than thyyears warrant. And I warn thee, speak to no one of what I have said tothee, or it may be worse for thee. But tell me plainly, since we havegone so far, knowest thou the whereabouts of the key?"

"Nay, " answered Hugo. "I know not. I have never before thought of thepostern and its key. "

The traitor's frowning face cleared. "I believe thou speakest truly, "he said. "Thou art so full of being a knight that thou thinkest only ofknightly exercises in the tilt-yard. I will speak a good word for thee, and it may be thou wilt be admitted a page to the Earl of Hertford. "

"And hast thou influence there?" inquired Hugo, with assumed interest. 

"Yea, that have I, " answered Robert Sadler, falsely. For he had noinfluence anywhere. "I will so speak for thee that thou wilt be pagebut a short while before thou art made an esquire. Do thou but bidequiet concerning what hath passed between us, and thou shalt fare neverthe worse. "

Then he departed to the stables and Hugo was left alone. To be able toconceal what one feels is a great accomplishment. Rarely do people ofany age succeed in doing so, and it was with a feeling of exultationover his success that the boy looked after Robert Sadler. 

The next day Lady De Aldithely summoned her men-at-arms before her inthe castle hall. She had a missive in her hand. "I must send one of youon a journey, " she said. "More than one I cannot now spare to go toChester. Who will take this missive from me to the town of Chester, andbring back from my aunt what it calleth for?"

A light flashed in the eyes of Robert Sadler which Lady De Aldithelyaffected not to see. The opportunity he had been seeking was beforehim. He would go out alone, but he would not return alone. When thedrawbridge should be lowered to admit him on his return the king'smessengers with a troop of horse would be at hand. They would make arush while he held parley with the old warder. They would gain entranceto the castle; Josceline would be taken, and the reward for his owntreachery would be gained. He had plenty of time to think of all this, for the men were slow to offer. Aside from Robert Sadler they were alltrue and devoted adherents of the De Aldithelys, and each one imaginedthe castle and its inmates safer because of his presence. Thereforenone desired to go. 

"No man seemeth willing to do thy ladyship's behest, " said RobertSadler, with a crafty smile. "I will, by thy leave, undertake it. "

Lady De Aldithely looked calmly upon him. "Thou shalt do so, RobertSadler, " she said courteously, "and thou hast my thanks for theservice. Thou shalt depart to-morrow morn, and thou shouldest return bythe evening of this day week. See that thou bringest safely with theewhat the missive calleth for. "

"I will return at eventide of this day week, " promised the traitor ashe received the missive. 

"And now, " he said to himself, when Lady De Aldithely had retired fromthe hall, "let her keep the postern key. I care not for it. "

CHAPTER III

It was now mid-June. The air was dry and cool. But Robert Sadlerthought not of June nor dryness and coolness of air as in triumph hemade ready for his journey. 

"I should have gone, " grumbled Humphrey the serving-man when he heardof it. "Who knoweth this Robert Sadler? My lord had him at therecommendation of Lord Clifford and he hath been at the castle not yeta year. Who knoweth that he is to be trusted? I should have gone. I diddream of serpents last night, and that foretelleth a prison. RobertSadler will no doubt be caught by some marauding baron as he comethagain from Chester, and he will be thrown into the dungeon, and then mylady will see. "

So grumbling he was summoned to the ladies' bower just as thedrawbridge was lowered to permit the departure of Robert Sadler. Ungraciously he obeyed; and just as ungraciously he continued hisgrumbling in her ladyship's presence. "I did dream of serpents lastnight, " he began, "and that foretelleth a prison. "

Lady De Aldithely shivered. "I pray thee, speak not of prisons, Humphrey, " she said firmly, "but attend my words. "

"Am I not faithful?" demanded Humphrey. 

"Thou art, my good Humphrey, " was the reply. 

"Was it then for Robert Sadler to do thine errand?"

"I have a greater errand for thee, " was the grave answer. "RobertSadler is a traitor, and we have much to do ere he return. "

Humphrey seemed bewildered. "And wouldst thou trust a traitor?" he atlength demanded. 

"Abroad, good Humphrey, and in a small matter, but not within thesewalls. "

The dense Humphrey showing still by his countenance that he could notcomprehend his mistress, Lady De Aldithely spoke more plainly. "I musttell thee, Humphrey, that Robert Sadler designeth for a sum of money todeliver Josceline to the king. "

Humphrey stared. 

"I have discovered it, and have been almost crazed in consequence. Buta deliverer hath come. "

"I saw no one, " said Humphrey in a dazed tone. 

"Didst thou not see Hugo?" asked Lady De Aldithely with a faint smile. "My lord will be fain to do much for him when he heareth what Hugo willdo for Josceline. "

"And what can a lad like him do?" demanded Humphrey. "Thou hadst bettertrust me. I am forty years of age and have served the De Aldithelys allmy life. "

"I do trust thee, Humphrey, and I do honor thee by sending thee toattend on this brave lad, Hugo. "

"I will not go, " declared Humphrey. "Why should I leave thee andJosceline to serve a stranger? Here I bide where my lord left me. "

"Wilt thou not go at my command, Humphrey?"

There was no reply but a mutinous look, and Lady De Aldithelycontinued, "Thou hast doubtless seen how very like in appearance Hugois to my son. This good lad, Hugo, this best of lads, Hugo, will, formy sake and Josceline's, assume to be my son. He will ride forth towardLondon as if he made to escape to his father in France. The servants ofthe king will hear of it through the spies they keep in the wood nearus. They will pursue him while Josceline and I escape into Scotland. "

Humphrey reflected. "I see it, I see it, " he said at last. "Hugo is thegood lad. "

"He is indeed, Humphrey. So good I cannot see him go unattended. Thouart the trustiest servant I have; and so I send thee with him to keephim from what peril thou mayest, and to defend him in what thou canstnot ward off. Thou must serve him as thou wouldst Josceline, on pain ofmy displeasure. "

"I did dream of serpents, " said Humphrey, slowly, "and they foretell aprison. It were better for thee to abide here, for, perchance, it isnot to foretell the fate of Robert Sadler but the fate of Joscelinethat the dream was sent. "

"Abide here, and let Robert Sadler take my son? Nay, good Humphrey, wemust away. Hugo and thou to-morrow morn, Josceline and I to-morrownight. " And then Humphrey was dismissed with the command, "Send Hugo tome. "

Almost immediately the boy appeared, and Lady De Aldithely met him witha smile. "I send thee forth to-morrow morn, " she said, "and Humphreywill go with thee--if thou be still of a mind to go. "

"I am still of a mind to go, Lady De Aldithely, " was the answer. 

"Thou knowest the danger to thyself, " she said. "And 'twere not to savemy only son, I could not let thee take such peril. Cross thou toFrance, I charge thee, and take this favor to my husband. Tell him, because thou wouldst do knightly service for me and mine, I give itthee. Thou wilt not go unrewarded. " And she held out a knot of blueribbon. 

The boy looked from it to her green robe, and back again. Lady DeAldithely saw the look. "Green is not my color, Hugo, " she said. "It isbut the fashion of the time. " Suddenly she drew back her hand and laidthe knot against her sleeve. "See how the colors war, " she said. "Butnot more than truth and constancy with the wickedness of this mostwicked reign. " Then she held out the knot of blue to him again. "Receive it, dear lad, " she said. "Whatever knightly service it isthine to render after thou hast taken thy vow, thou canst render nonegreater than thou dost now render to Matilda De Aldithely. "

"And what service is that?" inquired Josceline as he came smiling intothe room. "And what solemn manner is this, my mother? There must begreat deeds afoot to warrant it. " And he glanced from one to the other. 

"Thou hast well come, my son, " returned his mother, gravely. "I wouldthis moment have sent to summon thee. Thou and I must away to-morrownight to wander through the forest of Galtus and on into the wilds ofScotland, where we may, perchance, find safety. "

At this Josceline stared in astonishment. "We be safe here in thecastle, " he said at length. 

"Nay, my son, " returned his mother. "Here be we not safe. I had toldthee before of the treachery of Robert Sadler but for thy hasty, impetuous nature which, by knowing, would have marred my plans. Thouwouldst have dealt with him according to his deserts--"

"Ay, that would I, " interrupted Josceline, "if he be a traitor. Andthat will I when he returneth. "

Lady De Aldithely looked at him sadly. "We be in the midst of graveperils, my son, " she said. "Control thyself. It is not always safe todeal with traitors according to their deserts, and never was it lesssafe than now. When Robert Sadler returneth we must be far away. "

But Josceline was hard to convince. "Here is the castle, " he said, "than which none is stronger, and here be good men and true to defendit. Moreover, Robert Sadler is now outside the walls. Thou canst, ifthou wilt, keep him out, and we have naught to fear. Why should we gowandering with our all on the backs of sumpter mules, and with only afew men-at-arms and serving-men to bear us company?"

"My son, " said Lady De Aldithely, rising from her seat, "thy fathergave thee into my keeping. And thou didst promise him upon thine honorto obey me. Thou mayest not break thy pledged word. "

"I had not pledged it, " rejoined Josceline, sulkily, "had I known ofwanderings through forest and wild. "

"Better forest and wild than the king's dungeon, my son, " replied LadyDe Aldithely. "We go hence to-morrow night. "

During this conversation Hugo had stood a silent and unwillinglistener. Josceline now turned to him. "And whither goest thou, Hugo?"he asked. "With us?"

"Nay, let me speak, " said Lady De Aldithely, holding up her hand tocheck Hugo's reply. "Hugo goeth south toward London clad in thybravery, and with Humphrey to attend him. "

Again Josceline showed astonishment. "I understand not thy riddles, " hesaid at last petulantly. 

"He is thy counterpart, my son, and he will personate thee, " said LadyDe Aldithely. "He setteth out to-morrow morn. The king's spies willpursue him, and thus we shall be able to flee unseen. "

"And thou hast planned all this without a word to me?" cried Josceline, angrily. "But for my pledged word I would not stir. Nay, not even if Iknew Robert Sadler would give me up to the king's messengers. "

Lady De Aldithely gave Hugo a sign to leave the room. When he was goneshe herself withdrew, and Josceline was left alone in the ladies'bower, where he stamped about in great irritation for a while. But hecould not retain his anger long. Insensibly it faded away, and he foundvisions of wood and wild taking its place. 

Meanwhile Lady De Aldithely had gone to the castle hall, when she senta summons to William Lorimer to attend her there. To him, when hearrived, she unfolded Robert Sadler's treachery and her own meditatedflight with her son. 

"Thee, " she said, "I leave in charge of these bare walls to deal withRobert Sadler on his return. Whatever happeneth I hold thee blameless. Do as seemeth thee best, and when thou art through here, repair withthe others I leave behind, to my lord in France. And if thou shouldstever find Hugo to be in need, what thou doest for him thou doest for mylord and me. "

The man-at-arms bowed low. "I will deal with Robert Sadler as I may, "he answered. "Only do thou leave me the postern key. As for Hugo, Iwill not fail him if ever in my presence or hearing he hath need. "

Then Lady De Aldithely with a relieved smile gave him the postern keyand he withdrew. 

The day was now drawing to a close, and an air of solemnity was uponthe castle. Each man knew he was facing death; each man was anxious forthe safety of Lady Aldithely and her son; and each man cast a sober eyeon Hugo and Humphrey. The effect upon Hugo was visibly depressing, while upon Humphrey it was irritating. 

Humphrey had been thinking: and while he would be ostensibly Hugo'sservant, he had decided that he would be in reality the master of theexpedition. "I like not this obeying of strangers, " he said to himself. "Moreover, it is not seemly that any other lad than our own young lordshould rule over a man of my years. Let the lad Hugo think I followhim. He shall find he will follow me. And why should these men-at-armslook at us both as if we went out to become food for crows? Did I notdream of acorns last night, and in my dream did I not eat one? And whatdoth that betoken but that I shall gradually rise to riches and honor?Let the men-at-arms look to themselves. They will have need of alltheir eyes when that rascal Robert Sadler cometh galloping again to thecastle with the king's minions at his back. "

Now all this grumbling was not done in idleness. For all the timeHumphrey was busy filling certain bags which were to be swung acrossthe haunches of the horses he and Hugo were to ride. Brawn, meal forcakes, grain for the horses, and various other sundries did Humphreystow away in the bags which were to supply their need at such times as, on account of pursuit, they would not dare to venture inside a town. "And what care I that the interdict forbiddeth us meat as if we were inLent, " grumbled Humphrey as he packed the brawn. "Were the king a goodking, meat would be our portion as in other years. Since he is the badking he is, I will e'en eat the brawn and any other meat to be had. Andupon the head of the king be the sin of it, if sin there be. "

And the packing finished, he went early to rest. 

The castle stood on a ridge near the river Wharfe, from which streamthe castle moat derived its water. Its postern gate was toward theeast, the great gate being on the northwest. From the postern Hugo andHumphrey were to set out and follow along down the river toward Selby. They were to make no effort at concealment on this first stage of theirjourney which might, therefore, possibly be the most dangerous part ofit. They had little to fear, however, from arrows, as the king's menwould not so much wish to injure the supposed Josceline as to capturehim. They had shot at him before simply to disable him before he couldreach the shelter of the castle. 

But Humphrey was not thinking of the dangers of the way. He was up andlooking at the sky at the early dawn. "I did hear owls whooping in thenight before I slept, which foretelleth a fair day for the beginning ofour enterprise, " he said. "The sky doth not now look it, but my trustis in owls. I will call Hugo. It is not meet that he should slumbernow. "

Hugo was not easily roused. He had slept ill: for as night had comedown upon him in the castle for the last time, he had not felt quite sosure of being able to lead his pursuers a merry chase. And it wasmidnight when he fell into an uneasy sleep which became heavy asmorning dawned. Humphrey knew nothing of this, however, nor would hehave cared if he had. By his own arguing of the case in his mind, hewas now firm in the conviction that Hugo had been put into his charge, and he was quite determined to control him in all things. So he routedhim from his slumbers and his bed without the slightest compunction, bidding him make haste that they might take advantage of the fair dayprognosticated by the owls. 

This duty done, Humphrey betook himself to the walls near the posternwhere he had before noticed William Lorimer apparently deeply engagedin reconnoitring and planning. Now, whatever Humphrey lacked, it wasnot curiosity; and he was speedily beside the man-at-arms, whoimpatiently, in his heart, wished him elsewhere. 

"What seest thou?" began Humphrey curiously as he gazed about him onall sides. 

"The same that thou seest, no doubt, " retorted William Lorimer, gruffly. 

"Why, then, " observed Humphrey, slowly, "thou seest what I and thouhave seen these many times, --a bare open place beyond the ditch, andthen the wood. I had thought some king's man must have shown himselffrom his hiding. "

"Not so, good Humphrey, not so, " rejoined William Lorimer morepleasantly as he reflected that he would soon be rid of the pryingserving-man. "Hugo and thou will see king's men before I do. "

"Ah, trust me, " boasted Humphrey, complacently. "I shall know how tomanage when we see them. "

"Thou manage?" said William Lorimer, teasingly. "Bethink thee, thou artbut servant to Hugo. Hast thou not promised Lady De Aldithely to be hisservant?"

Humphrey hesitated a moment and then replied: "Yea, in a measure. But Itake it that there are servants and servants. Besides, I did dream ofacorns of late and of eating one of them, which doth foretell that Ishall gradually rise to riches and honor; and surely the first step insuch a rise is the managing of Hugo. My dream hath it, thou seest, thatHugo shall obey me. Wherefore I said I shall know how to manage when Isee the king's men. "

"Hath Hugo heard of this fine dream?" inquired William Lorimer withpretended gravity. 

"Not he. Why should he hear of it? He is as headstrong as our younglord Josceline, though not so haughty. I shall but oppose the weightof my years and experience against him at every turn, and thou shaltsee I shall prevail. " So saying, Humphrey, with an air of greatself-satisfaction, turned and descended the wall to the court-yard. 

For a moment William Lorimer smiled. "I would I might follow the two, "he said. "There will be fine arguments between them. "

CHAPTER IV

The spies who kept watch on De Aldithely castle were four in number, and were hired by Sir Thomas De Lany, who had been commissioned by theking to capture Josceline in any manner that he could. It chanced thatthere was but one of them on duty in the wood that morning--a certainshort, stalky little fellow whose name was Walter Skinner, and who wasfond of speaking of himself as a king's man. Formed by nature to makevery little impression on the beholder, it was his practice to eke outwhat he lacked in importance by boasting, by taking on mysterious airs, and by dropping hints as to his connection with great personages andhis knowledge of their plans. He was about the age of Humphrey, andthough he was but a spy hired by Sir Thomas, he persisted in regardinghimself as of great consequence and directly in the employ of the king. He was mounted in the top of a very tall tree in the edge of the wood, and he could hardly believe his eyes when, about nine o'clock, he sawHugo and Humphrey issue from the postern gate, cross the bridge overthe moat, and ride away into the wood, which they struck a quarter of amile south of him. 

In great haste he began to come down the tree, muttering as he did so. "They must all away yesterday morn to York on a holiday, " he cried, "and here am I left to take the young lord in my own person. When Ihave done so I warrant they get none of the reward. I will sue to theking, and we shall see if he who catcheth the game is not entitled tothe reward. "

By this time he was on the ground and strutting finely as he hurriedabout for his horse. "A plague upon the beast!" he cried. "He hathslipped halter and strayed. I had come up with the young lord while Iseek my horse. "

It was some ten minutes before the animal was discovered quietlybrowsing and brought back to the watch-tree, and then a sign must bemade on the tree to let his companions know whither he had gone, sothat they might follow immediately on their return. And all this delaywas fatal to his catching up with the fugitives. For, once in the wood, Humphrey's authority asserted itself. He pushed his horse ahead ofHugo's and led the way directly through the thick forest for a shortdistance when he emerged into a narrow and evidently little usedbridle-path. "It is well thou hast me to lead thee, " he observedcomplacently. "There be not many that know this path. "

[Illustration: "It is Well That Thou Has Me to Lead Thee"]

Meanwhile Richard Wood, one of the other spies, had unexpectedlyreturned, read the sign on the watch-tree, and followed his companion. It was at this moment that Hugo discovered that Fleetfoot was not withthem. In the excitement of getting under cover of the forest he had notnoticed the dog's absence. "Where is Fleetfoot?" he asked as he stoodin his stirrups and looked about him anxiously. 

"Fleetfoot is at the castle, " replied Humphrey, calmly. 

"By thy command?" asked Hugo, quickly. 

"Ay, " replied Humphrey. "Why, what young lord would journey about witha great dog like that in his train? If thou art to play Josceline, thoumust play in earnest. Moreover, the hound would get us into troublewith half the keepers of the forest. If ever a deer were missing, wouldnot thy dog bear the blame? So think no more of thy Fleetfoot. "

Hugo was silent while the complacent Humphrey jogged on ahead of him. What the serving-man had said was in large measure true. And he thoughtwith a swelling heart that it was not so easy, after all, to personateJosceline when that personating cost him Fleetfoot. 

But no less a person than William Lorimer had discovered that Fleetfoothad been left behind. William was fond of both the dog and his master;so now, when Fleetfoot made his appeal to William, the man-at-arms atonce responded. He snapped the chain that bound him, and leading him bythe collar to the postern gate opened it and let down the bridge. "Why, what would become of thee, Fleetfoot, " he said, "when that which is tocome to the castle hath come?" Then while the great deerhound looked upexpectantly into his face he added as he pointed to the place whereHugo and Humphrey had entered the wood, "After thy master, Fleetfoot!Seek him!"

The deerhound is a dog of marvellous swiftness, and, like an arrow fromthe bow, Fleetfoot shot across the open space and gained the wood. William Lorimer looked after him. "If thy other commands be no betterobeyed, Humphrey, than this which left Fleetfoot behind, I fear thouwilt have cause to lose a part of thy self-satisfaction, " he said. Thenhe drew up the bridge and shut the postern gate. 

Hugo had taken the loss of Fleetfoot so quietly that Humphrey withstill greater confidence now changed the course slightly, and went downto the river-bank at a point which was half ford and half deep water. But at this Hugo was not so obedient. 

"What doest thou, Humphrey?" he demanded. "Was not our course markedout toward Selby? Why wouldst thou cross the river here? We must beseen once on our road, and that thou knowest, or the king's men willnot pursue us, and perchance Lady De Aldithely and Josceline shall farethe worse. "

"I go not to Selby, " declared Humphrey, stubbornly. "And why shouldstthou think we have not been seen? The king's men have eyes, and it wastheir business to watch the castle. "

Then Hugo sat up very straight in his saddle and looked at Humphreyfull as haughtily as Josceline himself could have done. "Thou art, forthe time, my servant, " he said. "And we go to Selby. "

For a moment Humphrey was disconcerted, but he did not relinquish hisown plan. Presently he said: "If we must go to Selby, let us cross theriver here. We can go on the south side of it as well as the north. "

Hugo reflected. Then without a word he directed his horse down the bankand into the water, which was here swimming deep. Well satisfied, Humphrey followed. 

"I did not dream of acorns and of eating one of them for nothing, " hesaid to himself. "I shall be master yet. "

And hardly had the words passed through his mind when _splash_went a heavy body into the water behind the two swimming horses. Fleetfoot had come up with his master. Swiftly Hugo and Humphrey turnedtheir heads, Hugo with a smile and an encouraging motion of the handtoward his dog, and Humphrey with a frown. "I would I knew who sent thehound after us, " grumbled the disgusted serving-man to himself when, the shallow water reached, both riders drew rein for the horses todrink. 

Once across the Wharfe Humphrey led the way to a heavy thicket, anddismounting pushed the growth this way and that and so made a passagefor the horses, Fleetfoot, Hugo, and himself. In the middle of thethick was a little cleared grassy place where, crowded closelytogether, all might find room, and here Humphrey announced that theywould take their midday rest and meal. 

Hugo still said nothing, but he looked very determined, as Humphreycould see. "But I go not to Selby, " thought the stubborn serving-man. "I run not my head into the king's noose so near home. "

It was an early nooning they had taken, for it was barely half-pasttwelve when Humphrey broke the silence. He rose, tied each horsesecurely, and then turning to Hugo said: "Bid the dog stay here. Wewill go and have a look over the country. "

Hugo rose, laid down his bow and arrows, and, bidding the dog watchthem, followed Humphrey out of the thicket. 

The serving-man, who was well acquainted with this part of the country, now made a little detour into a path which he followed a short distancetill he came out a quarter of a mile away from the thicket into agrassy glade in the centre of which towered one of those enormous oaksof which there were many in England at this time. "We will climb up, "said Humphrey, "and have a look. "

Up they went; Hugo nimbly and Humphrey clumsily and slowly, as becamehis years and experience, as William Lorimer would have said if he hadseen him. Barely had they reached complete cover, and the rustling theymade had just ceased, when the tramp of two approaching horses washeard. The sky was now overcast with clouds in spite of theprognostications of the owls, and the rain began to descend heavily, sothat the two riders sought refuge beneath the tree. Hugo and Humphreylooked at each other and then down upon the horsemen, who were the twospies, Walter Skinner and Richard Wood. 

"I had thought to have come up with them ere this, " said WalterSkinner. "They had not more than half an hour the start of me. "

"Have no fear, " replied Richard Wood, who was a tall and determined-looking man. "They have most like gone on to Selby on the north side ofthe river. We shall catch them there. "

[Illustration: Humphrey and Hugo in the Oak Tree]

"Thou saidst there is no one to watch the castle?" inquired WalterSkinner. 

"Ay, I said it, " returned Richard Wood. "Why, who should there be whenSir Thomas hath taken the other two and gone off to get a trooptogether against Robert Sadler's return? There be thirty men-at-armswithin the castle, and all will fight to the death if need be, and nonemore fiercely than William Lorimer. So saith Robert Sadler. He givethnot so brave an account of the warder and the grooms at the drawbridge, for, saith he, 'The warder is old and slow, and the grooms stupid. ' Itwas well we fell in with Robert Sadler as he departed on his journey. "

There was a brief silence while the rain still fell heavily, though thesky showed signs of clearing. Then Walter Skinner in his small crackedvoice laughed aloud. "The troop will be there, and there will be hardfighting for naught, " he said. "For the prize is escaped and we shallcapture it and have the reward. "

"What thinkest thou of Selby?" asked Humphrey, when the two spies hadgone on toward the river. 

"I think thou art right, " answered Hugo, frankly. 

Without a word Humphrey climbed still higher in the tree and gazedafter the two till they were hidden from view in the forest. 

"Hast thou been before in this wood?" he inquired, when he and Hugo haddescended and stood upon the ground. 

"Nay, " replied Hugo. 

"I thought not. Ask me no questions and I will lead thee through it. Iknow it of old. "

Hugo at this looked rather resentful. He had regarded himself as theimportant personage on the journey just undertaken, and now it seemedthat the serving-man regarded the important personage as Humphrey. Andthe boy thought that because Humphrey had been right in his purpose toavoid Selby was no reason why he should assume the charge of theexpedition. He did not dispute him, however, but followed thetriumphant serving-man back to the thicket, to the horses, his bow andarrows, and his dog. 

In a short time they were out of the thicket and mounted; and thenHumphrey condescendingly said to Hugo: "Follow me, and thou shalt see Iwill keep out of sight of keepers and rangers. And keep thy houndbeside thee, if thou canst. He is like to make us trouble. "

At this Hugo felt indignant. He was not accustomed to be treated as ifhe were a small child. 

They now jogged on in silence a few zigzag miles until Humphrey came toanother thicket, in which he announced they would pass the night. "Hadwe kept the open path, " he observed, "we might have been further alongon our journey, if, perchance, we had not been entirely stopped by aranger or a king's man. "

"The two spies went down the Wharfe toward the Ouse and Selby, "remarked Hugo. 

"Oh, ay, " returned Humphrey. "But the king hath many men, and they allknow how to do a mischief for which there is no redress. Hadst thoubeen a Saxon as long as I have been, and that is forty years, thouhadst found it out before this. And now I will make a fire, for thenight is chill, and, moreover, I would have a cake of meal for mysupper. " So saying, he set to work with his flint and soon had a firein the small open place in the midst of the thicket. 

"Hast thou no fear of the ranger?" asked Hugo. 

"Not I. This thick is well off his track. I would have no fear of himat any time but for thy dog. Moreover, he is a timid man, and the woodhath many robbers roving around in it. Could he meet us alone with thydog, there would be trouble. But here I fear him not. "

Hugo laid his hand on Fleetfoot's head. "Thou hast no friend inHumphrey, " he said in a low tone as he looked into the dog's eyes. Then, while Humphrey baked the oatmeal cake in the coals, Hugo gave thedog as liberal a supper as he could from their scant supply. 

"Be not too free, " cautioned Humphrey, as he glanced over his shoulder. "We have yet many days to journey ere we reach London if we escape theclutches of the king's men. Could they but look in at the castle now, Iwarrant they would laugh louder and longer than they did under the bigoak. "

Hugo glanced around him nervously. 

"Tush, boy! what fearest thou?" said Humphrey. "Here be no listeners. Thou knowest this is the hour. I tell thee frankly I had rather be withher ladyship than to lead thee in safety; yea, even though the way lay, as her way doth lie, through that robber-infested forest of Galtus. Hast heard how there be lights shown in York to guide those coming intothe town from that wild place?"

"Yea, " answered Hugo, briefly. 

Humphrey sighed. "There will be somewhat to do on that journey, " hesaid. "A train of sumpter mules carry the clothing, the massy silverdishes, and the rich hangings; and with them go all the serving-men andhalf the men-at-arms. "

"I pray thee, cease thy speech, " said Hugo, still more nervously as helooked about him apprehensively in the semi-darkness of the fire-litenclosure. "Thy prating may mar all. "

"Was it for this, " demanded Humphrey, "that I did dream of acorns andof eating one of them, which foretelleth, as all men know, a gradualrise to riches and honor, that I should be bid to cease prating by astranger, and he a mere lad? But I can cease, if it please thee. I hadnot come with thee but for her ladyship's commands. " And in muchdudgeon he composed himself to sleep. 

As for Hugo, he lay on the grass, his eyes on the glimmering fire, andhis ears alert for any sound. But all was still; and he soon fell topicturing the scene at the castle, --Lady De Aldithely and Josceline, mounted for their journey, going out at the postern gate at the head ofthe train of sumpter mules and attended by the band of serving-men andmen-at-arms. And with all his heart he hoped for their safety. He didnot wonder at their taking their treasures with them. It was the customof the time to do so, and was quite as sensible as leaving them behindto be stolen. 

The great deerhound blinked his eyes lazily in the firelight and drew, after a while, the lad's thoughts away from the castle. What should hedo with Fleetfoot? How should he feed him, and with what? And howshould he get him through the town of Ferrybridge near which they nowwere, and which they must pass through in the morning, unless Humphreywould agree to swim the horses across the Aire above the town and soavoid it?

And now the wood seemed to awake. Owls insisted to the ears of thesleeping Humphrey that the morrow would be a fair day. Leaves rustledin the gentle wind. Far off sounded a wildcat's cry. And with thesesounds in his ears Hugo fell asleep. 

CHAPTER V

The fire was plentifully renewed, and Humphrey was preparing breakfastwhen, in the morning, Hugo awoke. 

With what seemed to the boy a reckless hand, the serving-man flungFleetfoot his breakfast. "He may eat his fill if he will, " saidHumphrey, noting Hugo's expression of surprise. "He hath already solowered our store that more must be bought. "

"And where?" inquired Hugo. 

"At Ferrybridge, " returned Humphrey, complacently, to Hugo's dismay. 

"I had thought best to avoid Ferrybridge, " said Hugo. "I would swim thehorses across the Aire above the town. "

Humphrey seemed to ruminate a short time. Then he put on a look ofstupid wisdom. "Let us have breakfast now, " he said. 

Hugo looked at him impatiently, and wondered how he could ever havefound such favor with Lady De Aldithely. But in silence he took thebrawn and oat-cake Humphrey gave him. The horses were already feeding, and, despatching his own breakfast with great celerity, Humphrey soonhad them ready for the day's journey. Still in silence Hugo mounted, for a glance at the stubborn Humphrey's face told him he might as wellhold his peace. 

Straight toward the river-bank rode Humphrey, while Hugo and Fleetfootfollowed. 

"There!" said Humphrey, when they had reached the river's brink. "Seestthou that thick across the stream? Swim thy horse and thy dog across, and bide there in that thick for me. I go to the town to buy supplies. Last night I did have two dreams. I had but gone to sleep when Idreamed I was going up a ladder. Knowest thou what that meaneth?"

"Nay, " replied Hugo. "I am not skilled in old woman's lore. "

Humphrey frowned. "Thou mayest call it what thou likest, " he said, "butdreams be dreams; and this one signifieth honor. I waked only longenough to meditate upon it and fell asleep again, and dreamed I climbedonce more the big oak of yesterday. And that meaneth great preferment. Canst thou see now how I have no cause to fear king's men? For whathonor could it be to be caught by them? or what preferment to be laidby the heels in the king's dungeon? And canst thou see how it is meetfor me to go into the town, and for thee and the hound to swim theriver? I warrant thee the king's men, though they fill the streets ofFerrybridge, will be no match for me with such a dream as that. "

Then Hugo lost his temper. "Thou art a foolish fellow, " he said, "andmoreover thou art but my servant. Where is thy prudence of yesterday? Iam of a mind to forbid thee to go into the town. But this I tell thee;I know this region by report. We be not so many miles from Pontefractcastle. If thou comest not to the thick by noon, Fleetfoot and Ijourney on southward, and thou mayest overtake us as thou canst. "

"I know not if I can come by noon, " answered Humphrey, moresubmissively than he had yet spoken. "Never have I been in Ferrybridge. I know not what supplies I may find. "

"Take care thou find not the king's men, " said Hugo. "At noon Fleetfootand I journey on. " With that he directed his horse into the water, Fleetfoot followed, and Humphrey was left on the bank. 

"Ay, " he said to himself, rather ruefully, "thou canst play the masteras haughtily as our young lord Josceline himself when it pleaseth thee. But for all that, last night I did go up a ladder and climb a tree. Nodoubt I shall yet prevail. "

Then he galloped off toward the town, where he mingled with the throngof people quite unnoticed in the number, for, in spite of the interdictwhich forbade amusements of all kinds, a tournament was to be held atDoncaster, and many were on the way to attend it. Since the kingscouted the interdict, many of the people braved it also, and the innswere already full. Humphrey was riding slowly along with curious eyeswhen, in the throng, he caught sight of Walter Skinner, the pompouslittle spy, who sat up very straight on his horse, and looked fiercelyaround, as if to warn the people of what they might expect if theyunduly jostled him, the king's man. For so he regarded himself, although he was only the hired spy of Sir Thomas De Lany. 

"A plague upon my dreams!" thought Humphrey, his native common sensegetting the better of his superstition. "I had never ventured my headin this noose but for them. I must now get it out as I can, but thatwill never be done by noon. "

Almost as soon as Humphrey had seen him, Walter Skinner had seenHumphrey, and had recognized both man and horse as the same he had seenfrom the treetop leaving the castle with Hugo the previous day. Notfinding any trace of the two in the neighborhood of Selby, he had comeon to Ferrybridge, while his companion, Richard Wood, had gone south bythe very way Hugo would start out on at noon. He gave no sign ofrecognizing Humphrey, however, and Humphrey seemed not to recognizehim. 

Said Walter Skinner to himself, "I will not alarm him, and the soonerhe will lead me to his master. "

While Humphrey thought, "I will not seem to see him, and when I can, Igive him the slip. "

So up and down the narrow streets rode these two, Walter Skinnerlooking fiercely upon the innocent throng, and Humphrey apparentlygazing about him with all a countryman's curiosity. Noon came andHumphrey managed to find a place for himself and horse at an inn. "Imay as well eat and drink, " he said, "for what profit is it to be goingup and down these narrow streets? At every turn is this little cock ofa king's man who, though he croweth not with his mouth, doeth so withhis looks. I know not for whom he is seeking. Not for me, or he wouldassail me and capture me and put me to the torture to tell him whereHugo is, for he thinketh Hugo is Josceline, which he is not, but astranger, and a headstrong one. There is nothing in dreaming of goingup a ladder or climbing a tree, if I get not the better of him. " And sohe betook him to his dinner. 

The little spy followed him, and the innkeeper was obliged to makeroom for him also, which, when Humphrey saw, he changed his opinion asto whom the spy was in search of. "He thinketh, " said Humphrey tohimself, with sudden enlightenment, "to follow me quietly and so findHugo. "

Humphrey was ever a gross eater, and Walter Skinner watched him withgreat impatience and dissatisfaction. For Humphrey ate as if no anxietypreyed upon his mind, but as if his whole concern was to make away withall placed before him. 

[Illustration: The Little Spy and Humphrey]

"It may be, " reflected Walter Skinner, "that he hath bestowed hismaster, as he thinketh in safety, in a neighboring abbey or priory. From whence my master will not be long in haling him out. For whatcareth the king for abbots or priors? And so let him leave off thispartridge dance he hath been leading me about the streets. " And hescowled upon the apparently unconscious serving-man. 

"Ay, let him scowl, " thought Humphrey, with his mouth full of savoryviands that filled him with satisfaction. "He may do more scowling ereevening if he like. I did go up a ladder and climb a tree last night. "

His dinner over, Humphrey went out to the stables, whither WalterSkinner followed him as if to look after the welfare of his own horse, thus confirming Humphrey's suspicion that he had recognized him. Andthe serving-man at once put on an air of self-confidence and pride inhis own wisdom which effectually concealed his anxiety from thewatching Walter Skinner. He entered into conversation with the grooms, and let fall, in a loud voice, such a weight of opinions as must havecrushed any intelligent mind to consider. And there about the stableshe stayed; for the grooms took to him, and evidently regarded him assome new Solomon. 

The impatient Walter Skinner listened as long as he could, but seeing, at last, that Humphrey's wisdom was from an unfailing supply, he wentback to the inn, after beckoning one of the grooms to him and givinghim a piece of money, in return for which, as he pompously instructedhim, he was to keep an eye on Humphrey, and on no account to allow himto escape him; at the same time he threw out hints about the king andhis wrath if such a thing should happen. 

The groom, who was himself a Saxon, and who hated all king's men, listened respectfully, took the coin, said that he had but two eyes, but he would use them to see all that went on before him, and returnedto the stables, where he at once told Humphrey what had passed. "I havea hatred to the king and his men, " declared the groom. 

"And what Saxon hath not?" asked Humphrey. "I have lived forty years, and in all that time the Normans grow worse, and this John is worst ofall. "

"Perchance thy master is oppressed by him, " ventured the groom. 

"Perchance he is, and his lady and his son likewise, " returnedHumphrey. 

The groom looked at him. "I ask thee to reveal nothing, " he saidsignificantly. "I have but two eyes, and I must use them, as I said, tosee, all that goeth on before me. Do thou but ask Eric there to showthee the way out of the town before the curfew ring. He hateth king'smen worse even than I. My master will summon me to the house shortly, according to his custom. That will be the time for thee, for I can inno wise see what goeth on behind my back, nor did I promise to do so. "

At once Humphrey betook himself to Eric, explained matters so far as hedared, and received the groom's ready promise to guide him out of thetown, which he did within an hour, while Walter Skinner sat impatientlywaiting for him to reenter the inn from the stables. Eric did more forhim also; for he provided him with provender for the horses andabundant provisions for himself, Hugo, and the dog, receiving therefora good price which he promised to transmit to his master. 

"And now, " said Humphrey to himself, when he was well quit of the town, "if the time cometh when Saxon as well as Norman hath preferment, mydevice shall be a ladder and a tree. And may the king's man have a goodsupper at Ferrybridge and be long in the eating of it. "

Straight to the thicket rode Humphrey at a good pace, but he found noHugo there. "Here is a snarl to be undone!" he cried. "The lad is tooheadstrong. Perchance he hath already run into the noose of the otherking's man. For who knoweth where he is? And I shall be held to answerfor it. This cometh of a man being servant to a boy and a stranger atthat. I will away after him. " So saying, he rode to the south, givingall habitations of men and walks of forest rangers a wide berth, andhoping sincerely that Hugo before him had done the same. "For the lad, "said he, "is in the main a good lad. And how can I face my lady if harmcometh to him? It is no blame to him that he hath not a knack at dreamsto help him on his way. "

At the last word his horse shied; for out of the undergrowth at theside of the little glade through which he was riding fluttered apartridge, while, after it, floundering through the bushes with a greatnoise, came Fleetfoot. In vain Humphrey tried to call the dog from hisprey. In a twinkling the unhappy bird was in the hound's mouth andFleetfoot was off again to the thicket to supplement his scant dinnerwith a bird of his own catching. 

"Here be troubles enough!" cried Humphrey. "King's men on our track, and now partridge feathers to set the keepers and rangers after us. Well, I will push through this underbrush to the right. Perchance Hugorideth in the bridle-path beyond, since it was from that part the dogcame. And he shall put the hound in leash. I am resolved on it. I haveno mind to have hand or foot lopped off that so a deerhound may havehis fill of partridges. "

With a frown he pushed through the underbrush. The sun was setting whenhe emerged into a path and, at a little distance, caught sight of Hugojogging slowly along and looking warily about him. He dared not signalhim by a whistle, so, putting spurs to his loaded horse, he advanced asfast as he was able, and shortly after came up with the lad, his angerat Fleetfoot's trespass rather increased than abated, and, inconsequence, with his manner peremptory. 

"Into the thick here to the right, " he growled, laying his hand on thebridle of Hugo's horse. "The sun is now set, and we go no fartherto-night. In this stretch robbers abound, and I have no mind to facethree dangers when two be enough. "

Hugo looked at him inquiringly. 

"Yea, by St. Swithin!" went on the angry serving-man. "King's men andpartridge feathers be enough without robbers. " And giving Hugo's horse, which he had now headed toward the thicket, a slight cut on the flankwith his whip, he drove Hugo before him, much to the boy's indignation. "Thou hast been drinking!" he cried, turning in his saddle. "Strike notmy horse again. "

They were barely screened from sight when Humphrey, his head turnedover his shoulder, held up his hand warningly. A horse was coming onthe gallop. A second elapsed, and then Walter Skinner went by. He haddiscovered Humphrey's flight a half-hour after Eric had led him out ofthe city, but the grooms had successfully delayed him half an hourlonger. Then he had started in pursuit, and had gone thundering alongat such a pace that he could hear nothing nor see anything that was notin full view. This new sight of danger at once pacified both Hugo andHumphrey. The boy forgot what he had been pleased to regard as theinsubordination of his servant, and Humphrey forgot the anger he hadfelt against Fleetfoot and his master. 

As soon as they dared, they pushed cautiously farther into the thicket, and presently Humphrey dismounted and tied his horse. Here was nograssy spot within enclosing underbrush where comfort might be found. There was such a place not far off, but Humphrey would not go to it. With his knife he set to work clearing a place large enough for thetied horses to lie down in. Cutting every stick into the very ground, he laid the cut brush in an orderly heap, and thus made a bed forhimself and Hugo. Then without a word he went out on foot and down tothe bank of the Went, peeled a willow, and came back with a long stripof its bark. "Thou wilt tie this to the collar of thy dog, " he said. "He hath been trespassing, and hath taken a partridge. Should the keeperdiscover it and us, thy hand or foot, or mine, must pay for it. "

"How knowest thou that Fleetfoot did take a partridge?" asked Hugo, with disbelief in his tone. 

"I did see him, " replied Humphrey. "And noting whence he came, I didfind thee, and none too soon. "

There was a short silence. Then Hugo said: "A partridge is not much;and, as thou sayest, if thou hadst not seen Fleetfoot, thou hadst notfound me in time; and so the spy would now have me in custody. Therefore Fleetfoot should not have too much blame. "

"Ay, " grumbled Humphrey. "Thou art ready with thy excuses for thy dog. "

"He is all I have, Humphrey, " returned Hugo, quietly. "But I promisethee he shall be put in leash on the morrow if he cometh. " And helistened anxiously for some sound of his dog's approach. But he heardnone. 

And now Humphrey's good-nature was quite restored, so that he said:"Think no more of the hound to-night. He hath begun on a partridge. Mayhe not end on a deer; and, if he doth, may the keeper set its loss downto these prowling robber bands. It is well with us thus far. "

By this time the horses were fed and supper was over, all having beenaccomplished in darkness, and Humphrey lay down to sleep. 

CHAPTER VI

The part of Yorkshire which they had been traversing abounded inrivers. The Wharfe and the Aire, the first of which joins the Ouseeight miles south, and the second eighteen miles southeast of York, they had already crossed. They were now near the Went, and here, asHugo discovered the next morning, it was Humphrey's decision to stay aday or two. 

"I go no further without a dream, " he declared. "Last night I slept toosound to have one. And moreover I wish not to fall in with thesegalloping king's men. Let them ride up and down till they think ussecurely hid away in some religious house, since they find us not inthe wood. So shall we go the safer on our way to Doncaster. "

Hugo had thought much the evening before, and he had resolved todispute Humphrey in future no more than was necessary. For he now sawthat, though he was but a serving-man, Humphrey knew more of Yorkshirewoods than his master. He therefore made no objection when Humphreyannounced his decision, much to the serving-man's surprise, for he hadexpected opposition. Finding none, he enlarged his air of importance, and bade Hugo stay where he was while he took the horses down to thestream for water. 

Hugo, putting a strong restraint on himself, obeyed, and was rewardedon the serving-man's return with the promise that, as soon as the dogcame in and was tied, he might venture forth with Humphrey to explorethe region. 

"Thou must know, " remarked Humphrey, "that we be on the high bank. Onthe other side of the valley sloping coppices abound, and therein can Ishow thee many badger holes. Hast ever seen a badger hunt?"

"Nay, " answered Hugo. 

"I was but twenty years old, " continued Humphrey, "when first I camethrough these woods, and on the bank across the valley from this pointI did see a badger hunt. Three men and two dogs did I see, and theyfive did at length dig out one badger. The old badger was inside thehole taking his sleep, for it was ten o'clock in the morning. And abadger not only sleepeth all day in summer, but day and night inwinter. Thou knowest that?"

"Yea, " replied Hugo. And added that at his uncle's priory he hadoccasionally eaten badger meat, which was very good. 

"Cured like ham, was it?" inquired Humphrey. 

"Yea, " responded Hugo. 

Humphrey nodded his head approvingly. "A priest, " he said, "for knowingand having good eating. "

The two sat silent a few moments waiting for Fleetfoot, who did notcome, and then Humphrey continued: "The badger hath a thick skin. Hegoeth into a wasp's nest or a bees' nest, and the whole swarm may stinghim and he feeleth it not. "

"What doth the badger in wasps' nests and bees' nests?" inquired Hugo. 

"Why, he will eat up their grubs. The eggs make footless grubs, andthese the badger eateth. My grandsire went a journey through this woodonce on a moonlight night. He rode slowly along, and at a certain placewas a bees' nest beside the path, and there, full in the moonlight, wasa badger rooting out the nest. Out swarmed the bees, and several didsting the horse of my grandsire at the moment when he had taken goodaim at the badger with his stick. The horse bolted, and my grandsirefound himself lying in the path with his neck all but broken, and thebees taking vengeance on him for the trespass of the badger. He hathhad no liking to bees or badgers since that day. "

"He still liveth, then?" asked Hugo. 

"Ay, " returned Humphrey, much pleased at the question. "Hale and heartyhe is, and ninety-six years of age. "

By common consent both now paused to listen for Fleetfoot. Hearingnothing Humphrey continued, "Didst ever see a tame badger?"

"Nay, " was the reply. 

"A badger becometh as tame as a dog, if he be taken young. Report hathit that there is great sport in London at the public houses baiting thebadger. I know not how it may be. "

And now Fleetfoot came. Not joyfully, but slinking, for he knew he hadbeen doing wrong. Three partridges, a fox, and a badger he had slainsince Humphrey had seen him, and he wore a guilty look. 

"Thou wilt do no more than tie him with the willow thong, " observedHumphrey, eyeing Fleetfoot with disfavor. "Were he mine, I should beathim. The king maketh nothing of lopping off a man's hand or foot forsuch a trespass, or even putting out of his eyes. And should thekeepers discover what he hath done, it were all the same as if we haddone it. "

"Nay, Humphrey, " said Hugo, smoothing the dog's head. "Perchance hehath taken no more than the partridge thou sawest. "

For answer Humphrey struck lightly the dog's rounded-out side. "Tell menot, " he said, "that one partridge hath such a filling power. Elsewould I feed only on partridges. Moreover, he is a knowing dog, and seehow he slinketh. He would not be that cast down for one partridge, Iwarrant thee. "

"It may be thou art right, " replied Hugo, as he tied up Fleetfoot. 

"Yea, that I may be, " returned Humphrey, importantly. "A man that hathdreams of going up a ladder and climbing a tree in the same night ismost likely to be right when it cometh to measuring up the trespassesof a straying deerhound. For why should a man be advanced to prefermentand honor except that he hath merit? And to dream of going up a ladderand climbing a tree is sure warrant that he hath it. And now fare weforth to see this Brockadale. "

Hugo having finished tying Fleetfoot securely with a tether so shortthat he could not gnaw through it, followed Humphrey, and the dogattempted to follow Hugo, much to Humphrey's satisfaction. "Ay, thouwouldst follow, wouldst thou?" he said. "Bide where thou art with thehorses, and think on thy evil deeds. " Then turning to the boy he added, "If thou wilt not beat him, Hugo, my chiding may do him some good. "

It was a most beautiful little valley that the boy saw when he stood onthe edge of a hill on its northern side and gazed down into it, whileHumphrey stood by pointing out its features with the air of aproprietor. Green and lovely it stretched away to the southeast sometwo miles, as Humphrey told him. Through it flowed the Went, bendingand turning, its banks lined with osiers and willows. Wooded hills werethe northern, and sloping coppices the southern boundary of the vale. 

The two had not ventured out into the open. They were still in theshelter of the trees. "The Normans rule, and honest men must skulk andhide, " observed Humphrey, with some bitterness. 

"Lord De Aldithely is a Norman, " remarked Hugo. "So also am I. "

"Ay, " rejoined Humphrey, "but all Normans are not alike bad. Thou artnot the king, moreover, nor is my lord, who is an honest man andstandeth bravely by the people, and is opposed to murder and robbery. Therefore is he fled, and therefore is our young lord Josceline indanger, and therefore are we skulking and hiding and leading the king'smen this chase. The times be evil; and who knoweth what shall amendthem?"

Hugo did not reply. His eye had caught sight of the flash of sunlighton steel down the valley, and he pointed it out to Humphrey. 

"Up! up!" cried Humphrey. "Up into yon spreading oak at the edge of thevale. There shall we be concealed, and yet see all. "

"They come from toward Doncaster, do they not?" asked Hugo when theywere safely out of sight among the branches. 

"Ay, " answered Humphrey. "Nor was it for naught that I did sleep toosound to dream last night, else might we have been on the way toDoncaster, and so, perchance, have met them. "

The party drew nearer, and soon the keen eyes of Humphrey and Hugoresolved them into three men-at-arms led by Walter Skinner. 

"Three soldiers and a king's man to take a boy and a man!" laughedHumphrey. "It must be that they have a good opinion of our bravery. "

"Or of thy cunning, " said Hugo, to whom Humphrey had a short whilebefore revealed all that had befallen him in Ferrybridge. 

"Oh, ay, " answered Humphrey, complacently. "I have my share, no doubt. A man doth not live forty years with treachery on all sides of him andlearn nothing. My head had been off my shoulders ere this, had notsome measure of cunning done its part to keep it on. They will beat upthe whole forest hereabout for us, I doubt not. If I get a good dreamto-night, we go on to-morrow. "

Hugo smiled. He thought it strange that a man so sensible, in manyrespects, as Humphrey should pin such faith to dreams. So he saidteasingly: "How if thou get not the dream to-night, nor yet to-morrownight? Do we bide here until the dream come, if that be nextMichaelmas?"

The serving-man seemed puzzled. Then he answered: "Nay, to be sure. Then would the summer be done; and, moreover, I never went so longwithout the right dream in my life. "

Nearer and nearer drew the horsemen until, in the vale just oppositeand below Hugo and Humphrey, they dismounted. "Here do we stop, " saidWalter Skinner. "I warrant you they be hereabouts, else have the fatpriests lied when they denied they were in abbey and priory. "

"Ay, " answered one of the men-at-arms. "They be hereabouts, no doubt, if they be not farther to the east, when thy fellow will catch them ifwe miss them. I marvel thou hast not come up with them before now. Thousayest this is the third day of their flight?"

This seeming to reflect on the ability of the pompous little WalterSkinner, he frowned. And drawing himself up importantly he said, "Theyoung lord hath to his servant a Saxon who knoweth well these parts. "

"Some deer-stealer, without doubt, " observed the man-at-arms. 

"And he goeth not straight forward, " continued Walter Skinner, "elsehad I met him. But he creepeth here, and hideth there, and goeth inretired paths. "

"And all to balk thee!" said the big man-at-arms, regarding with scarceconcealed contempt the little strutting spy. 

There was that in the manner of the man-at-arms that nettled WalterSkinner, so that he became more pompous than before and, resolved toshow the soldier how high he stood in the king's counsel, he saidhaughtily: "Why, it were best he balk me, if he knew what will come tohis young master when I find him. King John, as thou knowest, hath aspecial hatred toward his father, Lord De Aldithely. "

"De Aldithely, sayest thou?" interrupted the man-at-arms. 

"Ay, and he is resolved the son shall not live, no more than his ownnephew Arthur. "

"And he will put him to death?" asked the man-at-arms. 

"Why, not speedily, " answered Walter Skinner, importantly, "but cat andmouse fashion, by which he will be the longer dying, and his father themore tormented. He will speedily give orders also to raze his castle asa nest of traitors. "

"Whence hadst thou this?" demanded the man-at-arms. 

Walter Skinner stood off and looked at him. Then, with an air of greatmystery, he said: "It is whispered about. I may not say more. Itbecometh me not. "

The man-at-arms now rose from the ground where he had thrown himselfand mounted his horse. "I seek not the young lord, " he said. "I betrayno mouse to the cat, least of all the son of the brave De Aldithely. Iwill back to my own master from whom thou didst borrow me. I will saythou needest me not and hast bid me return. When thou art tired of thylife, say thou otherwise. " And he looked meaningly at him. 

"I go with thee, " said the second man-at-arms, springing from theground. 

"And I also!" exclaimed the third. 

In vain Walter Skinner tried to restrain them. They clattered off downthe valley whence they had come, and were soon out of sight on theirway to Doncaster. 

The sound carried well here; the voices of the men were loud; and Hugoand Humphrey, whose ears were keen, heard with consternation all thatpassed. "I fear it meaneth death to thee also if thou be caught, " saidHumphrey. "For it is a serious thing to dupe a man of the king's rage. This calleth for dreams, and that right speedily, if we are not to fallinto his hands. "

The disappointed Walter Skinner made no attempt to depart. "Here will Istay a while, " he said, "and berate the folly that did tell them thepurpose of the king and the name of the young lord. I did think toraise myself in authority over them by showing that I did know theking's counsel, and, in so doing, I did forget that for murdering ofArthur all men hate him, and few will help him to his will uponothers. " Moodily he threw himself upon the grass, having staked hishorse, and soon left off berating himself by falling into a soundsleep. The sun reached the meridian, and he still slept. It came to bemid-afternoon and still he moved not, for he had ridden hard and hadbeen deprived of his rest the night before. His tethered horse at lastwhinnied softly and then loudly. And, to the dismay of Hugo andHumphrey, he was answered by their own horses in the thicket. But stillthe king's man moved not. 

"Would that I knew certainly that he sleepeth, " said Humphrey, anxiously. "For then we might come down and escape. "

"Nay, nay, " objected Hugo, earnestly. "Seest thou not how a littlesound goeth far here? The rustling of the leaves and rattling of theboughs as we descend might awake him. "

Humphrey looked at him. "Ay, poor mouse!" he said. "Mayhap thou artright. "

And now Walter Skinner stirred in his slumber. Once more his horsewhinnied loudly. Once more the horses in the thicket answered; and thespy, broad awake, sprang to his feet. "Aha, Fortune!" he cried, "thouart with me. "

"Nevertheless, " observed Humphrey, softly, "if thou hast not dreamed ofgoing up a ladder and climbing a tree, all may not go so well with theeas thou thinkest. "

Leaving his horse, the spy climbed the wooded hill, at the top of whichhe paused just under the oak in which Hugo and Humphrey were concealed. The horses whinnied no more, though he waited a few moments hoping tohear them. "I will on, " he cried impatiently. "'Twas from thisdirection the answer came. " And away he hurried on foot, for heimagined that those he sought were hidden near at hand, and waiting forthe night to come ere they resumed their journey. He knew that he alonecould not capture them, but if he could get on their trail and dog themunseen till he could get help he would be sure of them. 

As soon as the spy was out of sight Humphrey began to descend the tree. 

"Whither goest thou?" asked Hugo. 

"Thou shalt see, " returned Humphrey. 

With speed he ran down the hill, breaking a switch of birch as he ran. He hastened to Walter Skinner's horse, cut him loose from his tether, and struck him sharply with the birch rod. Away galloped the horse downthe valley, while Humphrey hastened back to his place in the tree. "Fortune may be with him, " he said to Hugo, "but his horse is not. Mayhap I need not another dream, for, by the one I had, I think we havegot the better of him. Moreover, there will be no more whinnying forour horses to answer. "

CHAPTER VII

Till the set of sun and the dusk of the evening the spy pursued thesearch, now stumbling over a tree root, now catching his foot in astraggling vine, and every now and then sorely struck in the face bythe underbrush through which he pushed his way. But, although he wasonce very near the concealed horses and hound, he found nothing toreward him. The return to the little vale was even more tiresome thanthe journey from it had been. No moon would shine for an hour, and itwas quite dark when he once more reached the oak in which Hugo andHumphrey had stayed all day, but from which they had a few momentsbefore descended. 

In climbing the tree, after setting Walter Skinner's horse loose, Humphrey had noticed a hollow in one of the lower branches. "Perchance, " he said, "a hedgehog may lodge therein. Knowest thou theways of hedgehogs?"

"Nay, " returned Hugo, indifferently. 

"The lad hath lost heart, " said Humphrey to himself, "and all becauseof the words of this little snipe of a king's man and the slowness ofthe journey. I will not seem to see it. " Then he continued as if Hugohad displayed the greatest interest: "I will tell thee, then, thathedgehogs have many ways. I warrant thee this king's man knoweth naughtof them, any more than he knoweth the wood. Had he been some men, wehad been caught ere now. I fear him not overmuch. For do but see how heis puffed up with undue pride and importance. And let me tell thee thatundue pride and importance and good sense dwell not in the same skull. We shall therefore have the better of him. "

Hugo made no reply, and Humphrey continued cheerfully: "A hedgehog willfind a hollow in a tree, and there he will bide, sleeping all day. Atnight he will come forth. But first he must reach the ground. And thishe will do by rolling into a ball and dropping on the ends of hisspines. If the ground is beneath him, no harm is done. If this king'sman should be beneath him, I think not that he would cry out thatFortune was with him when the spines of the hedgehog stuck into him. "

"And how would the king's man be beneath him?" asked Hugo, dully. 

"If the hedgehog be in the hollow of that low branch, " answeredHumphrey, "and if the king's man should stand under at such time as thehedgehog was ready to drop, then he would be beneath him. "

"Yea, " observed Hugo. "Many things might come to pass, if thou couldstmake all the plans. "

Humphrey did not hear the sarcasm in Hugo's tones. He heard only whathe was pleased to take as a compliment to his own abilities. "Why, Ibelieve thou art right, " he answered. "Were I to make the plans, somethat are now at the top would be at the bottom. Thou hast well said. But come. It grows dark. Let us go down ere the king's man come back onhis way to the vale. "

Slowly they made their way down. "This perching on trees all day is fitto make an old man of a boy, " said Humphrey, as he stepped clumsilyabout on his half-numbed feet. 

"Sh!" said Hugo. 

Humphrey instantly stood still in the darkness and listened. Weary andslow steps were approaching. They came nearer, and directly under theoak they ceased, for the spy, his pompous manner quite gone, hadstopped to rest a little. And now a rustling in the branches above washeard. Eagerly the spy looked up and strained his eyes to see. "Josceline! son of Lord De Aldithely!" he called, "I arrest thee in theking's name. Thou darest not oppose me. Yield thyself, and come down!"

And just then the hedgehog which Humphrey had surmised might be in thehollow, moved a little farther along on the branch, rustling the leavesas he did so. In the darkness the face of the spy was still turnedupward. He had forgotten that he was alone and unaided. And he thoughtonly of getting hold of the boy he sought. 

"Come down!" he repeated. "Come down, I say! Make no dallying!"

And then the hedgehog rolled himself into a ball and came down plumpinto the face of Walter Skinner. 

"Ugh! what have we here?" sputtered the spy, starting back. 

Hugo and Humphrey did not wait for him to discover, but stepping softlyaway they went to the thicket, where the hungry animals gave them awarm welcome, and where they thoroughly enjoyed the first meal they hadhad since morning. Their supper eaten, Humphrey untied horses andhound, to lead them to water. 

"Thou wilt be caught, " objected Hugo, nervously. 

"Not I, " returned Humphrey, easily. "I fear not the spy to-night. If heheareth aught, he will think another hedgehog about to drop upon him. Come thou with me and see. "

Hugo obediently rose from the couch of boughs where he had thrownhimself, and took the thong of willow from Humphrey's hand to leadFleetfoot. The serving-man was right. So far as Walter Skinner wasconcerned they had no more to fear that night. His face was lacerated;and by the time Hugo and Humphrey started from the thicket he haddiscovered the loss of his horse. It had been better for him if hisdrinking-horn, from which he now took copious draughts, had been lostalso. 

"The kind of fortune that is with him, I should not wish to be withme, " observed Humphrey, when they had returned safely to the thicket. "I will now to sleep and see what sort of a dream cometh. "

Much cheered in spirit, Hugo also lay down to sleep. His courage cameback, and he felt that let the journey take as long as it would he wasequal to it. 

The moon had now risen, and by its light Richard Wood, the other spy, and his borrowed men-at-arms came riding through one of the glades ofthe forest southward to the vale. Richard Wood had not the overweeningvanity of Walter Skinner; he had not taken his borrowed men-at-armsinto his confidence concerning the king's plans in order to make itappear that he stood high in counsel; neither had he revealed the nameof the lad they sought. The men-at-arms had, therefore, all threeremained with him, and were as eager as he on the chase. They werepushing on now to the vale to camp for the night, because they couldfind there both grass and water. And, in the same spot where WalterSkinner had slept before, they came upon a figure reclining in fullsight in the moonlight. 

"There lieth one of them, " said a man-at-arms, "but I see not theother. "

"Thou mayest be sure the other is not far off, " observed the second. 

"Thou shalt see how quickly I will awake him out of sleep, " cried thethird, as he spurred his horse toward him and pricked him sharply withthe point of his lance. 

"Ugh!" grunted the half-drunken Walter Skinner. "But I have had enoughof hedgehogs for one night. " And he sat up sleepily. 

"And is it thou, Walter Skinner?" exclaimed Richard Wood. 

"Why, who should it be?" answered Walter Skinner, peevishly. 

"Thou art a brave pursuer!" said Richard Wood. "Where be thy men-at-arms?and where is thy horse?"

"My men-at-arms are returned to their master, " replied Walter Skinner, while those of Richard Wood drew near to learn the whereabouts of theircompanions. "As for my horse, I wot not what is become of him. "

"And wherefore did thy men-at-arms play thee false?" demanded RichardWood. 

"Softly!" replied Walter Skinner, his small, cracked voice more crackedthan usual. "Ask me not so many questions if thou wouldst not see medead before thee. "

Richard Wood regarded him sternly. "Thou must be moonstruck, " he saidat length. "When ever heard any one of a man dying of the questionsasked of him?"

"Thou mistakest my meaning, " returned Walter Skinner, a trace of hispomposity returning. "Thou askest me questions. If I answer thee false, I lie. If I answer thee true, I die. And truly, death were not muchworse than this lacerated face of mine. "

"Why, how now!" demanded Richard Wood. "How camest thy face lacerated?"

"One Master Hedgehog of this forest hath paid me his attentions tooclosely. "

For a moment Richard Wood was silent. Then he said: "Answer me truly. Itbehooveth me to know the truth in this matter. Why did thy men-at-armsleave thee?"

"I did but let fall the king's purpose toward the young lord, and namehis father, De Aldithely, and they fell off from me as I had beenmyself a murderer. Bade me uphold their lying speech that I had no needof their services on pain of death, and so left me. "

And now one of the men-at-arms spoke. "We be not knaves, " he said. "Wehad not thought to lead the youth to death, but to honorable captivityfor a brief while. Nor did we know the lad ye seek was son to DeAldithely. Wherefore we also leave ye, and if ye say why, your livesshall answer for it. We have no mind to be marks for the king'svengeance. He that would crush the Archdeacon of Norwich with a cope oflead will have no mercy on a man-at-arms that thwarted him. Wherefore, say why we left ye, if ye think best. " And, riding a little way off, all three encamped by themselves for the night. 

"It seemeth that the best way to earn hatred and contempt is to servethis King John, " remarked Richard Wood, thoughtfully. 

"Ay, and the attention of hedgehogs also, " returned Walter Skinner, thickly. "And the loss of horse and food, and the loss of the quarryalso, if we strike not the trail again. And though we have not theservice of the men-at-arms, be sure we shall pay for it as if we had itto their master. I would I had a troop of mercenaries to rent out. Itwere easier than such scouring of the country as this. Moreover we doexceed our office. The king said not to me, 'Walter Skinner, scour thecountry. ' Nay, the king said naught to me on the matter. 'Twas hisfavorite, Sir Thomas De Lany, that bade me watch the castle from thetree; and there might I be now in comfort, if this hare-brained youthhad not run away. He should have stayed at the castle till the comingof Robert Sadler and the troop. My face had not been thus lacerated hadthe youth known his duty and done it. "

"Why, how makest thou all this?" demanded Richard Wood, contemptuously. "The king careth not whose hand delivereth the youth, so that he bedelivered. That we have not already caught him is the fault of thyselfalone. Hadst thou but held thy tongue, we had had with us to-night sixmen-at-arms, and had, erelong, run down the game. In the morning I goto Hubert le Falconer and hire from him six more--three for thee, andthree for me. Then do thou be silent as to the king's purpose, and thismischief of thy making may be repaired. Thou mayest look as if thouwert bursting with wisdom, if it please thee, but see that thou give noenlightening word to thy followers. "

"Ay, thou mayest lay the burden of all mishaps on me, " returned WalterSkinner, pettishly. "But I promise not that I will speak no word, if itseemeth to me best to speak. It is not every one in the king's employ. Not every one is out scouring the country for a lord's son. And if onemay not speak of his honors, why hath he them?"

"Honors!" exclaimed Richard Wood, with contempt. "There be few wouldcall such work as thine an honor. To skulk, to spy, to trap another tohis destruction, why, that is what most call knaves' work, and he whodoth it is despised. Yea, even though he do it for a king. "

"Thy loss doth set but sourly on thy stomach, Richard Wood, " saidWalter Skinner, stubbornly. "It is an honor to serve the king. Ay, eventhough he be a bad one like this. And, I say, if one is not to speak ofhonors, why hath he them?"

"For other people to see, varlet. What others _see_ of thy_honors_, as thou callest them, they can mayhap endure. But whenthou pratest of thy honors, thou dost but enrage them. Wilt thou giveme thy word to be silent?"

"Nay, that will I not, " retorted Walter Skinner. "I be as good a man asthou, and not a bear in leading. When I will to speak, I speak; whetherit be of the king's matters or my own. "

"Thou hast said, " returned Richard Wood, rising. "In the morning I hirethree men-at-arms from Hubert le Falconer for myself. Pursue thou thechase as seemeth thee best. We hunt no more in company. "

With the first morning light the men-at-arms mounted their horsesand rode toward Doncaster, Richard Wood rode north to seek his neededmen-at-arms from Hubert le Falconer, and only Walter Skinner was lefthorseless and breakfastless in the vale. He had no mind to remainthere in that condition, and so betook himself to the nearest priory, confident that, in the king's name, he could there procure both foodand a horse, and perhaps a leech to ease his wounded face. 

Hugo and Humphrey were also early astir, the serving-man performing hismorning tasks with such a particularly cheerful air that Hugo smiledand inquired, "Hadst thou a dream last night?"

"Ay, " answered Humphrey, in triumph. "I say not with that little spy, 'Aha, Fortune! thou art with me, ' and then go out to meet a hedgehog. But this I say, that I did dream of bees and of following them, whichbetokeneth gain or profit. And therefore go we not toward Doncaster. "

"Why not toward Doncaster down this Brockadale?" asked Hugo. 

"The vale is well enough, " replied Humphrey, "but it extendeth only twomiles after all. We must make haste to-day. I do remember that twospies did pursue us at the beginning. It may be that the other hathneither lost his horse nor met a hedgehog to discourage him. And, moreover, what is to hinder him from having three men-at-arms to hishelp like his fellow? Nay, Hugo, we go not through the vale, but makewe what haste we may through short cuts and little used paths. "

"And whither do we go?" asked Hugo. 

"I will tell thee that we seek the marshy Isle of Axholme to the eastof the river Don. There will be room therein for us to hide away, andthere no king's men will look for us moreover. "

"Why?" asked Hugo. 

"Why, lad?" repeated Humphrey. "Why, because they will not. Will aking's man trust himself in such a boggy place? Nay. Moreover, I fellin with this one that hath so lately followed us at Ferrybridge, whichis a sure sign that we should meet the other at Doncaster. "

"But--" began Hugo. 

"I tell thee, " interrupted Humphrey, "I did dream of bees and offollowing them. We go straight to this Isle of Axholme. Vex me nomore. "

Hugo opened his mouth to remonstrate still further, but, happening toremember his determination not to oppose Humphrey except throughnecessity, he closed it again. Seeing which, Humphrey regarded himapprovingly, and even went to the length of expressing his approbationin words. 

"Thou art learning to keep thyself under, " he said. "Thou hast but justopened thy mouth to speak and shut it again with thy words unsaid. Whenone hath no knack at dreams to help him on, the best thing for him isthe power to shut his mouth. An open mouth maketh naught but trouble. Thou didst wish to see more of the vale, and so thou shalt. Thou shaltsee so much of it as thou canst while the horses and hound drink theirfill before starting. "

CHAPTER VIII

The Isle of Axholme, to which Humphrey was determined to go, was amarshy tract of ground in the northwest part of what is nowLincolnshire, and its eastern boundary was the Trent River. It was someeighteen miles long from north to south, and some five miles wide fromeast to west. On its north side was the wide mouth of the Ouse; theriver Idle was south of it, and west of it was the Don. In the time ofthe Romans there had been a forest here which they had cut down, andthe low, level land afterward became a marsh. At this time few treeswere to be found there. But there were thickets of underbrush andpatches of rank grass, as well as pools and boggy places; and Humphreywas right in thinking the place comparatively safe from pursuit. Especially so as the pursuers would naturally think that the young lordJosceline would push on as rapidly as possible, that he might getacross to France to join his father. 

"I go no more where the crowd goeth, " declared Humphrey, when they wereon their way. "How many, thinkest thou, of all that be abroad in theseparts pass through Doncaster? Why, near all. We need not to showourselves further to draw pursuit. This is now the fourth day since weset out, and my lady and Josceline must be well along in their journey. I would I knew the doings of William Lorimer at the castle. He is abrave man and a true, though he would never tell me his plans that hemight take my counsel. He ever made naught of dreams and spake lightlyof omens. I hope he may not fare the worse for it. "

Hugo made no reply. He, too, was wondering about how things were goingat the castle, but he kept his thoughts to himself. 

"Now I will tell thee, " said Humphrey, pausing and turning in hissaddle, "when thou seest me draw rein and hold up my hand, do thou stopinstantly. There be many robbers in this wood, and we have them to fearas well as king's men. And hold Fleetfoot fast. Let him not escapethee. "

Hugo promised to obey in these particulars, and Humphrey, for a shortdistance, put his horse to the trot with Hugo following close behindhim. All that day they turned and wound through the forest, going fastwhere they dared, and at other times creeping silently along. To Hugoit seemed they must be lost; but, when darkness fell, they had reachedthe edge of the Isle of Axholme, and, putting the horses through theDon, were safe in its marshy wastes. 

"Here be no keepers and rangers, " said Humphrey, exultingly. "And heremay we kill and eat what we choose, while Fleetfoot may hunt forhimself. We stir not till the moon rise, and then we seek a place tosleep, " he concluded, patting the wet coat of the horse he rode. 

Hugo said nothing. He did not know it, but he was nervous. All day hehad been on the alert, and now to stay perfectly still in this strange, silent place, not daring to stir in the darkness lest he splash intosome pool, or mire in a bog; with his eyes attempting to see, when itwas too dark to see anything but the glow-worms in the grass and thewill-o'-the-wisp, was an added strain. 

Two hours went by, and the curtain of darkness began to lift. Themoonlight made visible a fringe of small trees and the shine of thewater on whose bank they grew. The breeze rose and sighed and whistledthrough rush and reed. An owl hooted, and then Humphrey, who had beennodding on his horse's back, suddenly became very wide awake. 

"Hast been here before, Hugo?" he cried cheerily. 

"Nay, " answered the boy, listlessly. 

"No more have I, " returned Humphrey. "But what of that? A man who hathproper dreams may be at home in all places. I will now seek out ourresting-place, and do thou and Fleetfoot follow me. " So saying, hechirruped to his patient horse and led the way carefully; for, howevermuch Humphrey imagined he depended on dreams, he generally exercised asgood judgment and care as he was able. To-night weary Hugo hadforgotten that Humphrey was his servant, and, as such, bound to obeyhim. He felt himself nothing but a tired and homesick boy, and was gladhimself to obey the faithful Saxon, while he thought regretfully of hisuncle the prior, Lady De Aldithely, Josceline, and the valiant WilliamLorimer. 

It was not Humphrey's intention to go farther that night thanabsolutely necessary; and a little later he dismounted and stamped hisfeet with satisfaction. "Here be solid ground enough and to spare forus and the horses and hound, " he said, "and here will we rest. "

A lone, scrubby tree was at hand, and to that Humphrey made fast thehorses and dog. "No fire to-night. Thy cloak must be thy protectionfrom the damp, " he said. "But the swamp is not so damp as the king'sdungeon, nor so dismal. So let us eat and sleep. "

Hugo said nothing. He ate a morsel with a swelling heart, and then, insilence, lay down. He was beginning to find leading evil men a merrychase a rather unpleasant business. 

In the moonlight Humphrey looked at him. "He is a good lad, " hethought, "and seemeth no more to me like a stranger. I begin to seethat he seemed no stranger to my lady neither. My lord will make himhis page, no doubt, if he getteth safely over to France. France is agood country when a bad king ruleth at home. " Then faithful Humphrey, the animals fed, himself lay down to sleep. 

It was late the next morning when Hugo awoke. Humphrey had beenstirring two hours; and the first thing the boy's eyes rested upon wasa little fire made of bits of punky wood collected by Humphrey; andspitted above the coals were two small birds roasting. 

"Ay, lad!" cried Humphrey. "Open thine eyes now, and we will tobreakfast presently. What sayest thou to a peewit each? Is that notbetter than brawn?"

Hugo smiled and arose at once. His despondency of the night before wasgone, together with his fatigue, and he looked about him with interest. To the left were reeds some twelve feet tall which fringed a pool; tothe right, thick sedge that fringed another; and they seemed to be on asort of tiny, grassy isle, though the water which divided them from thenext bit of solid earth could, in some places, be stepped across. Thesun shone with agreeable warmth. There were frequent whirrs of wings inthe air as small flocks of game birds rose from the water and sedgenear by. 

[Illustration: Hugo looked about him with interest]

"This is not the wood nor is it Brockadale; but here one may breathe alittle without having his eyes looking on all sides for an enemy, " saidHumphrey, with satisfaction. "It is the turn of the peewits to lookout. Knowest thou the peewit?"

"On the table only, " answered Hugo, pleasantly. 

"Ay, " observed Humphrey. "Thine uncle, the prior, hath many a fat feastin the priory, I warrant thee. But here thou shalt see the peewit athome. Had we but come in April, we had had some eggs as well as birdsto eat. "

Humphrey had made a fresh meal cake in the embers, and the two--boy andserving-man--now sat devouring birds and cake with great appetites. 

"Thou knowest the pigeon?" asked Humphrey. 

"Yea, " replied Hugo. 

"The peewit is the size of a pigeon. "

"So I should guess, " remarked Hugo. 

"There be those that call it the lapwing, " pursued Humphrey. 

"My uncle, the prior, is of the number, " smiled Hugo. 

"Ay, priests ever have abundance of names for everything. It cometh, nodoubt, from knowing Latin and other outlandish gibberish. "

Hugo smiled indulgently. His feeling toward Humphrey had, during thelast day, undergone a complete change. And, though he was but a Saxonserving-man, the heart of the boy had now an affection for him. Humphrey was quick to detect it, and he too smiled. 

"Had the peewit short legs like the pigeon, " he continued, "and did hebut want what they call the crest on the back of his head, and couldyou see only the back of the bird, he might be thought a pigeon, sincehe shineth on the back like a peacock in all colors blue and green canmake when mixed together. But when he standeth on his somewhat longlegs, and thou seest that his under parts be white, why, even aFrenchman would know he was no pigeon, but must be the peewit orlapwing. And I warrant thee we shall eat our fill of peewits if weremain here long. "

"When thinkest thou of going?" asked Hugo, interestedly. 

"Why, that I know not. I would fain have another dream. I know not howit may be with other men, but when I am right weary I dream not. WhichI take as an omen not to stir till I be rested and ready to use mywits. Thou hast noticed that weariness dulleth the wits?"

"Yea, " replied Hugo. 

"Why, I have seen in my time many fall into grievous snares fromnothing more than being weary, and so, dull of sight and hearing. Buthere cometh Fleetfoot sleek and satisfied. I did but turn him loose twohours ago, and I warrant thee he hath had a fine meal. I will make himfast once more, and then we go farther into the island to seek anotherresting-place for the night. This is too near the edge of the marsh, and too near the Don. "

Mounting the horses, and with Fleetfoot once more in leash, they setout, Humphrey picking his way and Hugo following. And by mid-day theyhad come to what Humphrey decided was probably the best location forthem on the island. It was another solid, grassy place, and was gracedwith three little scrub trees which gave them a leafy roof under whichto lie. From the fringe of neighboring rushes the two cut enough tostrew their resting-place thickly, and so protect their bodies from thedamp ground. Then Humphrey dug a shallow fire-pit at the north, and, after their mid-day meal, set diligently about collecting a store offuel. Little was to be found solid enough to cook with, and that littlehe stored carefully apart, reserving a great heap of dead rushes andreeds for the blaze which was to ward off the night dampness and makethem comfortable. In all these labors Hugo bore his share, for the two, by tacit consent, were no longer master and man but comrades in needand danger. 

In collecting the reeds they took few from their immediateneighborhood, wishing to be as protected from chance observation aspossible. And they found their wanderings in search of fuel full ofinterest. At some distance from their camping-place they came upon amuddy shallow. And there on the bank Hugo saw his first avoset or"scooper, " as Humphrey called him. The bird was resting from his laborswhen the two first observed him. Though the ooze was soft the bird didnot sink into it. There he stood, his wide-webbed toes supporting himon the surface of the ooze, and it seemed a long way from his feet uphis blue legs to his black-and-white body. But the oddest thing abouthim was his long, curved, and elastic bill turning up at the end. Thebird had not observed them, and presently set to work scooping throughthe mud after worms. Then he waded out a little way into the shallow, where he did not stay long, for, catching sight of Hugo and Humphrey, he rose a little in the air and flew swiftly away. Farther on they cameupon a wading crane with an unlucky snake in his mouth. And stillfarther away they caught sight of a mother duck swimming with her youngbrood upon a pool. And every now and then a frog plumped into thewater. But nowhere did they discover, by sight or sound, another humanbeing beside themselves. 

When darkness fell the glow-worms shone once more, the will-o'-the-wispdanced, and the owls hooted. The fire of dead rushes and reeds, fed bythe patient Humphrey, blazed brightly and shed a grateful warmth upontheir sheltered resting-place under the three scrub trees. And, lyingat ease upon the rushes, the hours of darkness went by till, when themoon arose, the fire had died down, Hugo slept, and Humphrey had gonein search of a favoring dream. 

Near Doncaster that night camped Richard Wood with his three newlyhired men-at-arms; while within the town at an inn called the GreenDragon lay Walter Skinner. He was newly equipped with a horse. "I needno men-at-arms, " he said to himself, "nor will I hire them. I willcatch the young lord and his serving-man with arrow and bow if I butcome up with them again. "

And that night, safe out of the forest of Galtus, Lady De Aldithely andher party encamped on the border of Scotland. 

That night also Robert Sadler, pausing to rest on his return journey tothe castle, looked often at the package he carried, and wondered whatit contained. 

That night also the valiant William Lorimer and his men-at-arms restedfrom their labors well satisfied. For, while the moat at the great gateheld only its usual allowance of water, by means of the new dam theyhad constructed, that part of the moat near the postern was level full. 

The next morning marked the beginning of the sixth day of theirjourney, and Humphrey rose with unimpaired cheerfulness. Once moreHugo's waking eyes beheld two peewits spitted over the coals and a mealcake baking in the embers. "I did dream of gold last night, " saidHumphrey, by way of a morning greeting. "Knowest thou what thatbetokeneth?"

"Nay, " responded Hugo, pleasantly. 

"It betokeneth success in thy present undertaking after first meetingwith difficulties. We have met with difficulties, and what were theybut the king's men? They be now behind us, and success is to be ours. But come thou to breakfast now. To-morrow morn we set forth again. "

CHAPTER IX

On this, their last day in the Isle of Axholme, Hugo and Humphrey tookup the occupation of the day before, but with more deliberation. Andthey went in a different direction, --southeast, toward the Trent. 

"It is this way we journey on the morrow with the horses, " remarkedHumphrey. "It is as well to see what the way is like while we gatherour store of reeds and rushes. For I did dream of gold, whichbetokeneth success in our present undertaking, and success ever restethon good care and good judgment. And so let us see where the solidplaces be and where the bogs lie. And do thou note well the course sothat we may run it with safety and speed if need be. And we will notgather the reeds and rushes till we return. "

"Meanest thou to walk to the Trent, then, to-day, and back again?"questioned Hugo. And by this time he had so far forgotten thedifference in their stations that there was respect in his tone, whichHumphrey was quick to notice. 

"Yea, lad, " answered the serving-man, kindly. "It is only a few miles. It is not well to risk miring the horses when I did dream of gold lastnight. "

Hugo smiled. He was beginning to see that, while the superstition ofthe age, and particularly of his condition, had, to a certain extent, ahold on Humphrey, his course was really directed by sturdycommon-sense; and he wondered no more at Lady De Aldithely's trust inhim. 

The two were well on their way, and Richard Wood and his men-at-armswere scouring the forest near Doncaster, when Walter Skinner walked outto the stables of the Green Dragon to see to his horse. His face wasstill painful, and he desired to vent some of his spleen on the unluckygroom, whoever he might be, who had his horse in charge. He found thehorse tied to a ring in the stable wall, and the groom having a sorrytime of it, since every time the groom touched him with comb or brushthe animal backed, or turned, or laid back his ears and snapped withhis teeth. For the monks at the priory had furnished the king's man, onhis compulsion, with the worst horse in their stables. 

"Here be a beast fit for the Evil One and for nobody else, " grumbledthe sorely tried groom. "I am like to be killed for my pains in tryingto smooth his coat for him. "

The groom was a tall, overgrown fellow of nineteen, with a vacant faceand an ever-running tongue. He now stood stock still upon the approachof Walter Skinner and gazed at him. He would have done the same if anycreature possessed of the power of locomotion had come into his view. But of that Walter Skinner was ignorant. To him the gaze of the groomseemed honor and respect toward himself, and even, perhaps, awe. And hewas at once mollified. 

"My horse is a beast of mettle, " he observed complacently when thegroom had returned to his work. 

"Ay, and I would that his master, the Evil One, had the grooming ofhim, " was the retort. 

"Why, how now, sirrah! Dost thou slander the horse which is a gift fromMother Church to the king's work? Thou art a knave, and no doubt artbut unfit for thy task this morn through over-late carousing lastnight. "

"Thou mayest call it carousing, if thou wilt, " said the groom, sulkily. "I did come from Gainsborough yesterday. And in the dark, as I didcome, I saw a flaming fire in the Isle of Axholme. "

"And what meanest thou to tell me of that?" demanded Walter Skinner, sternly. "Thou wert no doubt so drunk that a will-o'-the-wisp in thatboggy place did seem to thee even as a flaming fire. Why dost thou notstand to my horse and get down with him? He hath already backed andturned a matter of some miles. "

The groom stopped and looked at him indignantly. "I may be but agroom, " he said, "but the Isle of Axholme I know from a child, everybog in it. And I did go to the fire, which was a bit out of my way, but, being my only pleasure on the journey, I did take it. And there onthe rushes lay a young lord, and his serving-man did feed the fire withreeds. "

"Thou didst see that?" cried Walter Skinner, in great excitement. "Makehaste with the beast, sirrah. Here is a coin for thee, good groom. I donow see thou wert never drunken in thy life. Make haste with thehorse. "

The groom stared at him foolishly. "Why, who could make haste with sucha beast?" he said at length. 

"Then stay not to finish thy work, " cried Walter Skinner, impatiently. "Bring saddle and bridle. I must away instantly. But do thou firstdescribe to me the place where thou didst see the fire. "

"The place, " said the groom, deliberately, while he examined the coinWalter Skinner had given him. "Thou dost go till thou comest to it. Aturn here and a turn there mayhap thou must make, and thou wilt find ita little solid place with three scrub trees upon it. It is a matter ofa short distance from the south end of the Isle, and thou wilt not failto know it when thou seest it. "

With this not over-clear direction Walter Skinner was obliged to becontent. Bidding the groom to bring the horse to the door of the inn atonce, he hurried away, paid his reckoning, examined carefully thestring of his bow, and looked over his store of arrows. "And now, Josceline, son of Lord De Aldithely, " he said, "my arrow will bid theehalt this time, and not my voice. And thou, Richard Wood, who didstsay, 'We hunt no more in company, ' what wouldst thou give to know ofthis place in the Isle of Axholme? And thou mayst have thy men-at-armsto bear thee company, and to pay for when thou art done with them. Theycost thee more than a bow and some arrows cost me, nor will they dothee one half the good. "

So thinking he bestrode the vicious beast which backed and plungedabout the inn yard, and from which the grooms and the watching maidsfled in all directions. Walter Skinner, however, was not to beunseated, and, the horse being headed in the right direction, his nextplunge carried him out of the yard and fairly started him on his way, the spur of his rider giving him no permission to halt for a moment. 

"And now, " thought Walter Skinner, when he had crossed the Don and wasfree of the town, "what said the knave groom? I must go till I come toit. Ay, and who knoweth when that shall be, and who knoweth the way inthis pitfall of bogs? Three scrub trees, saith he, and all together onone little solid place. I would I might see three little scrub trees. "

His horse had been over the Isle before and, being given his head, began to pick his way so cleverly that Walter Skinner was still furtherelated. He sat up pompously and pictured himself a courtier at thepalace as a reward for this day's work. "For I lean not to goldenrewards alone, " he said. "No doubt it can be managed that from this dayI begin to rise. The king hath advanced baser men than I, let RichardWood think as he will in the matter. "

And now he descried the three little scrub trees; but he saw not thehorses, they having been taken to another islet for pasture; norFleetfoot, who had gone with Hugo and Humphrey. 

"The knave groom spake true, " said Walter Skinner, with satisfaction. "There be the rushes on which they lie, and there the ashes of thefire. I will seek out a convenient hiding-place in the reeds, andto-night, when the fire blazeth bright, then shall my arrows sing. "

So saying he sought a place of concealment for himself and his horse, and, having found it, and tied the horse securely, he lay down wellsatisfied. 

Hugo and Humphrey did not return till toward evening. They had caughtsome fish in the Trent and roasted them on the coals for their dinner, and afterward had come leisurely back, enjoying the scenes and sightsof the marsh. 

From his covert Walter Skinner saw them come, each leading a horsewhich he had stopped to get from the islet pasture, while Fleetfootlagged behind on a little hunting expedition of his own. The spy drewhis bow and sighted. "Yea, " he said to himself, "no doubt I can do it. And what is an arrow wound more or less when one would win the favor ofthe king? The lad or his servant may die of it. But what is death? Itis e'en what every man sooner or later must meet. And it is the king'sfavor I will have, come what may to these runaways. " Then he laid downthe bow and arrow and took a long drink from his horn. "When the flamesshoot high and they be in the strong light of the blaze, then will Ishoot, " he said. "And it is their own fault if they be hit. They shouldhave remained in the castle where Robert Sadler arriveth this samenight. "

Hugo and Humphrey had not before been on such thoroughly amicable termsas they were to-night. The boy, so much like his young master, had, unconsciously to Humphrey, won his way into the heart of theserving-man; while Hugo had learned in their few days' companionship tofeel toward Humphrey as his faithfulness deserved. So, while the fireblazed up and all remained in darkness outside of its circle, Humphreyentertained Hugo with tales of his early life, to which the boylistened with appreciation. "Ay, lad, " said Humphrey, when half an hourhad gone by and he paused in his story to look at him with approval, "thou hast the ears of my lady herself, who is ever ready to listen towhat I would say. "

And then came a whistling arrow, shot by an unsteady, drunken hand, andanother, and another, none of which wounded either boy or man, sinceHugo was still defended by his shirt of mail, and Humphrey wore a stoutgambeson. 

[Illustration: Humphrey started up, snatching a great bunch of longflaming reeds]

Instantly Humphrey started up and, snatching a great bunch of long, flaming reeds to serve him for a light, ran in the direction whence thearrows had come. Hugo, catching up an armful of reeds yet unlighted toserve when those Humphrey carried should burn out, hurried after him. Soon they had found the covert and the spy, and, tossing his torch toHugo, the serving-man rushed at him. 

"And wouldst thou slay my dear lad?" he cried. "Thou snipe!"

"Stand back!" sputtered the spy. "Lay not thy hands upon me. I servethe king. "

"Ay, and thou shalt find what it is to serve the king, " cried Humphrey, seizing him by the shoulders and dragging him along. "Yon is hishorse, " he said, turning to Hugo. "Cut him loose. "

The boy obeyed and, with a snort, the animal was off. 

"Thou shalt be well punished for this deed, " threatened the spy. "Thesteed was the gift of the prior of St. Edmund's. "

"Talk not of punishment, " cried the enraged Humphrey; "thou who wouldstslay my dear lad. Lead to the right, lad!" he cried. "I do know a mirypool. It will not suck him down, but it will cause him some labor toget out of it. "

Hugo, bearing the torch, obeyed, and shortly they had reached the poolwhich Humphrey had discovered the day before. Grasping his shouldersyet more firmly, and fairly lifting the little spy from his feet, thestalwart Humphrey set him down with a thud in the sticky mud. "Therethou mayest stand like a reed or a rush, " he said. "I would thou wertas worthy as either. "

A moment the spy stood there in water up to his knees while Hugo andHumphrey, by the light of the ever-renewed torch of reeds, watched him. Then he began to try to extricate himself. But when he pulled one footloose, it was only to set the other more securely in the mud. 

"Ay, lad, " observed Humphrey, with satisfaction. "He danceth very well, but somewhat slowly. Leave we him to his pleasure while we go seek forhis bow and arrows. It were not well that he should shoot at us again. "

"Thou villain!" cried the half-drunken Walter Skinner; "when I am alord in His Majesty's service thou shalt hear of this night's work. "

"Ay, Sir Stick-in-the-Mud, " responded Humphrey, indifferently. "Whenthat day cometh I am content to hear of it. " Then he led the way backto Walter Skinner's hiding-place, while Hugo followed. And there theyfound the bow, which was of yew with a silken string. And with it was agoodly store of ash arrows tipped with steel and winged with goosefeathers. 

"We be not thieves, lad, " said Humphrey, "else might we add these toour store. " So saying, he broke the arrows and flung them away, cut thebow-string in pieces, and flung the bow far from him into the water. "Had these been in a steady hand, " he said, "it might now be ill withus. Perchance the spy doth not now cry out, 'Aha, Fortune! thou artwith me. ' And now let us back to our couch of rushes, there to waittill the moon rise, which will be some three hours. And rest we indarkness. We may not have more fire to make us targets, perchance, forthe other spy. "

In silence the two lay down on the rushes, Hugo full of excitement andnervously listening for the whistle of another arrow. And, much to theboy's astonishment, in five minutes the faithful Humphrey was soundasleep. 

He continued to sleep until the beams of the rising moon struck himfull in the face, when he awoke. "Hast slept, lad?" he asked. 

"Nay, " replied Hugo. 

"Thou shouldst have done so. Perchance the time cometh shortly when wedare not sleep; for I did dream of being taken by the constable, whichsignifieth want of wit, and so I know not what to do. But we may notbide here. On we must go, and make the best of what wit we have. " Herose from the rushes and, followed by Hugo, went to the horses and putFleetfoot once more in leash. Then, each having mounted, he led the waytoward the track they had marked out the day before. 

"If the spy be not too lazy, he will doubtless be free of the miry poolin the morning, " observed Humphrey. "And he might as well have dreamedof being taken by the constable, for if he lacketh not the wit to keephim from a worse case, I know not the measure of a man's mind. And thatshould I know, having observed not only my lord, but the valiantWilliam Lorimer also. "

CHAPTER X

It was the afternoon of this same day in which Walter Skinner hadventured into the wilds of the Isle of Axholme, there to try to catchHugo and Humphrey. At the same time Robert Sadler was galloping on hisway from the town of Chester to the castle, eager to meet the troop, for his journey was now almost accomplished. Sir Thomas De Lany hadpromised him his reward, --a certain sum of money; he had also promisedthe troop he had borrowed to help him a reward in addition to the sumhe was to pay to their master, even a share of the plunder of thecastle. Robert Sadler knew this, and he had quite decided that thepackage he carried would properly fall to him when her ladyship shouldbe left without a son and without treasure. He therefore had bestowedit carefully out of sight of the king's spies and their borrowed troop, whom he was now expecting to meet. He had said nothing about thepresence of Hugo at the castle and his great resemblance to Josceline;for he was of a mind to deliver up Hugo and keep back Josceline, since, by so doing, he might have hope of winning another reward from the kingin addition to the one he should receive from Sir Thomas. 

"It is a long head that I have, " he said to himself with pride. "Andthese knave spies shall find it not so easy to come to the bottom of mymind. They think I am but Irish, and so to be despised. And what bethey but English? They shall find I will know how to have the better ofthem. "

The sun was within half an hour of setting when he drew rein at the oakwhich was the scene of their appointed meeting. If he had been eager, the others had been no less so, and at once Sir Thomas and one of hisaids advanced to meet him, while, at a short distance, halted the troopof men-at-arms. 

"Have ye the troop? And is all well?" asked Robert Sadler, his widemouth stretched in a treacherous smile. 

"Yea, " responded Sir Thomas. 

"Walter Skinner and Richard Wood--do they still keep watch from thetree?" asked Robert Sadler, smiling still more widely. 

"Why, what is that to thee?" demanded Sir Thomas, haughtily. "It is wewho do the king's business. Thou doest but ours. "

"Ay, " answered Robert Sadler, with feigned humility; "I do but yours. "

"Thou sayest well. But think not to pry into the king's business asthou dost into the affairs at the castle. From thine own showing thoumust have been a great meddler there. "

"And how could I have done thy business there if I had not meddled, asthou callst it?"

"I say not that thou couldst, " returned Sir Thomas. "I do but warn theenot to meddle with us. And now, where is the package?"

"Package? Package?" mumbled Robert Sadler, in apparent bewilderment. 

"The package, sirrah, thou wert to deliver from Chester to herladyship. Hast forgotten the purpose of thy journey?"

"Oh, ay, the package!" returned Robert Sadler, uneasily. "I am like tobe berated by her ladyship for returning without it. "

"We would not have thee so berated, " said the aid, speaking for thefirst time. "And so I come to thine help. " And he reached beneath theshort cloak of Robert Sadler and drew forth the package. 

"I pray thee, return it to me, " said Robert Sadler, humbly. "Without itI am undone. "

"Do thou but parley as thou saidst with the warder on the bridge, andthou wilt find there will be no upbraiding from her ladyship to causethee alarm, " returned the aid. 

"And when wilt thou pay me the sum of money?" asked Robert Sadler, anxiously, not liking either his reception or his subsequent treatmentat the hands of Sir Thomas's aid. 

"And what is that to thee?" demanded Sir Thomas, fiercely. "If Iwithhold the sum altogether it is no more than what hath been done bymightier men than I. Do thou parley on the bridge as thou saidst, orthy head shall answer for it. Ride on now before us. We will await ouropportunity in the edge of the wood. "

"Thou didst not speak so to me, " said the traitor, "when thou wouldsthave me do this deed. It was then, 'Good Robert Sadler, ' and 'I willreward thee well. ' Naught didst thou say of my head answering myfailure to obey thy will. " Then he rode on as he had been commanded. 

He now saw that he had betrayed her ladyship and her son for naught, and his dejection thereat was plainly visible. But presently he satupright in triumph as he remembered his plan, which he had for themoment forgotten, --to betray Hugo into their hands and keep backJosceline for himself to deliver to the king. How he was to accomplishthis difficult thing he did not know, but, in his ignorance, heimagined it might easily be done. 

Sir Thomas and his aid were watching him. "The knave meaneth to play usfalse, " observed the aid. "See how he sitteth and rideth in triumph. "

"His head answereth for it if he doth, " returned Sir Thomas, fiercely. 

And now they had all arrived at the edge of the wood and the sun wasdown. "Set forward across the open, sirrah, " commanded Sir Thomas, "andsee that thou fail not in thine office. "

The traitor ground his teeth in rage, but outwardly he was calm as, putting his horse to the trot, he advanced toward the great gate andwound his horn. "Now may the old warder show more than his usualcaution, " said Robert Sadler. "My head is likely to fall whether we getin or whether we be kept out. And it were pleasant to see thesevillains foiled in their desires. " The old warder, obeying theinstructions of William Lorimer, beyond keeping the traitor waiting aquarter of an hour, by which delay the darkness desired by WilliamLorimer drew so much the nearer, having answered the summons, let downthe bridge with unaccustomed alacrity of motion. In accordance with thesame instructions, he kept his back to the direction from which thetroop were expected to come, and he seemed quite as ready to parleyafter the bridge was down as even Sir Thomas could have desired. 

"The warder groweth doltish, " observed Sir Thomas, as he prepared toset forward. 

"Mayhap, " answered the aid. 

"What meanest thou by 'mayhap'?" demanded Sir Thomas. 

But by this time the whole troop were in motion and making a rush forthe bridge. They gained it; they were across it, sweeping Robert Sadlerbefore them, and within the walls before the sluggish old warder hadseemed to see what was happening. They were well across the outer courtbefore they noticed the strange air of emptiness that seemed to havefallen on the place. They stormed into the inner court; and here, too, all was silence. And then they turned on Robert Sadler. "Art thou adouble traitor?" demanded Sir Thomas. 

But the vacant astonishment of Robert Sadler's face gave true answer. 

"He hath been made a dupe, " said the aid. "He hath been sent to Chesterthat the castle might be rid of him. "

"Nay, " returned Sir Thomas. "Thou art ever unduly suspicious. " Thenturning to Robert Sadler he said: "Where be the men-at-arms of thecastle? Where do they hide themselves because of us? And where bidethher ladyship and her son?" Then catching sight of the open door of thestairway tower, without awaiting Robert Sadler's reply, he led the waythither and up the stair, dragging the reluctant Robert Sadler withhim, and was followed by the troop. 

The ladies' bower was empty. The treasure from the chests was alsogone. Down the troop rushed violently, and into the great hall and outagain. Everywhere silence. Darkness had now fallen, and with torchesthe troop of men-at-arms, led by Sir Thomas and his aid, ran about theinner court, peering into the empty stables and offices. Presently toRobert Sadler the light of a torch revealed the postern gate ajar. "They must have fled!" he cried. "See!" and he pointed to the posterngate. 

"Mount and follow!" commanded Sir Thomas. 

"Nay, not in the darkness, " objected the aid. "Wait for the moon torise. "

"Ay, wait!" exclaimed Sir Thomas, impatiently. "I believe thou wastborn with that word in thy mouth. Wouldst have them get a better startof us than they have? Dost know that they did leave the treasure chestsempty, and then dost thou counsel us to wait on the tardy moon? 'Twasrich treasure they took, or report speaketh false. And every momentmaketh our chance to seize it smaller. "

Every man was now astride his horse, and Sir Thomas, his hand on RobertSadler's bridle, dashed ahead. The rest followed, crowding through thenarrow gate and out into the darkness on the narrow bridge. Here andthere a torch gleamed, and its reflection shone full in the glassywater of the ditch. Here was no shadowy depth of a ravine, but a broadplain, --a watery plain, into which the heavily weighted horses andriders sank, rising to cry for help and catch at straws. The cries ofthe drowning only hurried those behind to the rescue, who, supposingtheir fellows in advance to be assailed, rushed headlong on to the samefate. The torches were extinguished, and none knew which way to turn toescape. So perished the whole troop, Robert Sadler going down in thegrasp of Sir Thomas De Lany. 

[Illustration: None knew which way to turn to escape]

Across the moat, ready mounted to ride, were William Lorimer and thefew men-at-arms left him by Lady De Aldithely on her departure. "So mayit be with all traitors and thieves, " said he. "And now fare wesouthward to France and our lord. We need not the light of the moon toshow us our path. "

The clatter of their horses' hoofs soon died away, and when the moonrose it shone down on the deserted castle, and on the shining water ofthe moat near the postern, but it shone not on horse or rider living ordead. All night William Lorimer and his little troop rode, notcautiously and shrinkingly, but boldly; and they went into camp in theearly morning in Sherwood Forest, more miles away from home than Hugoand Humphrey had covered in all their journeying. 

And in the swamp Walter Skinner, who had finally extricated himselffrom the mire, floundered about from bog to pool, and from pool to bog, vowing vengeance on Humphrey, while Hugo and the faithful serving-man, avoiding Gainsborough, pushed on toward Lincoln. 

"I did dream of being taken by the constable, " said Humphrey, "whichbetokeneth want of wit. I know not what were better to do. What sayestthou?" And he looked questioningly at Hugo. 

The boy smiled. He could not help wondering if this were not the firsttime in his life that Humphrey had acknowledged himself at a loss whatto do. A dream had caused him to doubt his own possession of sufficientwit for all purposes, --something which no amount of argument could haveaccomplished. But to-day Hugo felt no contempt for him. He smiled onlyat the one weakness which was a foil to Humphrey's many excellentqualities. And he said pleasantly, "Why, how now, Humphrey? Thou dostneed another dream to restore thy courage. "

Humphrey eyed him doubtfully. "Dost think so, lad?" he said. "Mayhapthou art right. But I go not in the lead till I have it. Wit is not thesame at all times. Perchance something hath damaged mine for the time. Do thou lead till I recover it; for thou art no more a stranger to meas when we started. "

"Nor thou to me, good Humphrey, " replied Hugo, with an affectionatesmile. "And I say, let us on with all courage to Lincoln. "

"And why, lad?" asked Humphrey. "Because thou wouldst see the place, even as I would see Ferrybridge a while back?"

"Partly, " laughed Hugo. "And partly because it lieth very well in ourway. "

"Hast ever been there?" asked Humphrey, anxiously. 

"Nay, but mine uncle, the prior, hath often been. And I know the placeby report. We come to it by the north. Came we from the south, we couldsee it some twenty miles off, because the country lieth flat around it, and the city is set on a hill. Why, surely thou dost know the place. Itwas a city under the Danes. "

"Yea, I have heard of it from my grandsire, " acknowledged Humphrey;"but I know not if king's men be like to flourish there. For us that isthe principal thing. "

Hugo laughed. "Ah, my brave Humphrey, " he said, "why shouldst thou fearking's men? Thou who canst lift up a king's man by the shoulders andplant him like a rush in the miry pool!"

At this Humphrey smiled slightly himself. "Well, lad, " he saidpresently, "I will not gainsay thee. Go we to Lincoln, and may goodcome of it. But we stay not long?"

"Why, that, " answered Hugo, "is what no man can tell. We must becautious. "

"Ay, lad, " assented Humphrey, approvingly. 

"Thou knowest of Bishop Hugh of Avalon?" inquired Hugo, chatting ofwhatever came to his mind in the hope to bring back Humphrey'sconfidence in himself. 

"Nay, lad, " returned the serving-man. "I know no more of bishops thanthou of hedgehogs and other creatures of the wood. "

"This was a bishop, I have heard mine uncle say, that loved the birds. He hath now been nine years dead, and another man is, in his stead, bishop of Lincoln. But in his time he had many feathered pets, and onea swan, so hath mine uncle said. And also, he never feared to face theking. "

"Sayest thou so, lad?" responded Humphrey, with some degree ofinterest. "Mayhap his spirit still may linger in the place, and soking's men not flourish there. We will on to see. "

So in due time they came to the town, and entered through its old Romangate, and, looking down the long hill on the top of which they stood, saw the city of Lincoln, which, when William the Conqueror came, hadeleven hundred and fifty houses. 

"It is a great place, " remarked Humphrey, "and maketh a goodly show. "

CHAPTER XI

In vain Richard Wood and his men had scoured the forest near Doncaster. They found no trace of those they sought. "Did I believe, like some, inwitchcraft, " declared Richard Wood, "so should I say there waswitchcraft in their escape. Why, what should a Saxon serving-man and aboy of fourteen know, that they should foil good men on a chase?"

"Ay, " responded one of his men-at-arms, "but thou seest they have doneit. In this forest they are not. Mayhap they lie close in the town ofDoncaster. "

Richard Wood looked at him reflectively. "I had not thought on that, "he said. "Mayhap thou art right. Go we into the town and see. We needrest, and bite, and sup, and the beasts also need the same. "

So the weary four entered the town of Doncaster and drew rein beforethe Green Dragon Inn. And one of the grooms who took the horses was thesame vacant-faced, foolish fellow who had received the coin from WalterSkinner. "Here be more king's men, " he said to himself, "and mayhapanother coin for me. I will send them also to the Isle of Axholme, where I judge sorrow hath met the other king's man, since the horseshoehad of the Evil One did come galloping back without a rider. " And hesmiled ingratiatingly at Richard Wood, who took no notice of him. Whereat, somewhat crestfallen, he was fain to lead the horse away, theothers having been already taken care of by other grooms who had nothought of the Isle of Axholme, and no hopeful expectation of coins. 

The morning that saw Hugo and Humphrey far on their way to Lincoln sawRichard Wood rise refreshed at the Green Dragon with his determinationto continue the chase well renewed. And that same morning it hadoccurred to the vacant-faced groom that he must speak now or never ifhe expected any reward for his speech. So the instant Richard Woodappeared in the inn yard he sidled up to him and began, at the sametime knocking his grooming tools, which he still held in his hands, nervously together, an accompaniment to his speech, which seemed tosurprise the spy. "I did come from Gainsborough two nights agone, " hesaid. 

"That is naught to me, varlet, " interrupted Richard Wood. "Get theeback to thy grooming. "

"Yea, verily, " insisted the groom; "but it is somewhat to thee, " and heknocked the tools together in his hands at a great rate. "I did come bythe Isle of Axholme. And the other king's man did accuse me ofdrunkenness and revellings when I did begin to have speech with him ofthe matter, but he did change his mind, and give me a coin. Do thou butthe same and thou also mayest hear what I did see. "

Richard Wood regarded him attentively. "Speak truth, " he said, "and saythat I would hear, and thou shalt have two coins. "

The vacant-faced groom grinned a broad and foolish grin. "Said I not, "he cried joyfully, "that thou wert a better man than the other? For hewas but small and fierce and hath met sorrow, or his horse had not comeback riderless. "

Richard Wood smiled contemptuously at this reference to Walter Skinner. Then he said: "Thou didst come by the Isle of Axholme. What sawest thouthere?"

"Why, thou canst talk like an advocate, " said the foolish groom, whohad never seen an advocate in his life. "Ay, " he continued, "he thatgiveth two coins is ever a better master than he that giveth one. And Idid see a young lord and his serving-man lie on a bed of rushes; andever and anon the serving-man did rise to feed the blazing fire ofreeds; and it was the fire I first did see, and, going to the fire, Idid see them. "

"The Isle of Axholme lieth eighteen miles long and five in breadth, "said Richard Wood. "Where didst thou see them?" and he held up threecoins. 

"Toward the south end on a little solid place which hath on it threescrubby trees. There did they lie. " And the groom left off speaking toeye the money in ecstasy, for not often did such wealth come his way. 

Richard Wood tossed him the coins. "Make haste with the horses, " hesaid. "Hast thou no other marks to know the place?"

"Why, nay, " answered the groom, regretfully. "But thou wilt surely knowit when thou comest to it, " and he smiled broadly. 

Ten minutes later the party was off, and, crossing the Don at the town, found themselves in the Isle of Axholme. And then Richard Wood pausedto give his men instructions. "Here do we need caution, " he said. "Thisfellow is not easily to be caught, for I make naught of the young lord. He is doubtless some trusty retainer sent with the lad by her ladyshipbecause he hath wit to hide and double on his track and so bafflepursuit. But he hath not yet reached port to set sail for France, andmayhap he will not. It remaineth now for us to hide and creep among therushes and reeds and scrubby trees, and so come up with him unseen. "

The men-at-arms listened respectfully, and the party separatingthemselves so that each man rode alone at a little distance from hisfellows, they took the same general direction, and so advanced slowlyand carefully, taking advantage of every bit of cover in their way, andoften pausing to listen. They had proceeded in this manner some twohours when Richard Wood saw the three scrub trees, and, waving thesignal to his men, the advance was made with renewed caution. At lastall were near enough to see the couch of rushes and the ashes of thefire, but they saw nothing of serving-man or boy, who by this time hadreached Lincoln. Silently, at a signal from Richard Wood, the partydrew together. "Ye see, " said he, pointing to the place, "that they benot here. Either they be gone roaming about for the day in search offood, or they be gone altogether. We may not know of a surety tillevening when, if they be not altogether gone, they will return. If theybe gone, we have lost a day and given them an added start of us. Wherefore I counsel that we pursue the search warily through the Islein the hope that we come up with them. What say ye?"

"We say well, " responded the men. 

The party now separated again, and, going even more slowly than beforethrough the silent Isle, sought to be as noiseless as possible. Butevery now and then some horse splashed suddenly and heavily into apool, or scrambling out of the water crunched and broke the reeds andscared the water-fowl, which rose shrieking and flew noisily away. Atsuch mishaps Richard Wood restrained his impatience as well as he wasable, knowing that they were unavoidable and that his men werefaithful. Thus another hour went by and there was no trace of thefugitives. They were now going due northwest, and a half-hour later oneof the men-at-arms gave the signal. Silently Richard Wood approachedhim. "I did see one of them, " said the man in a low tone. "He liethbeneath a tree beyond this fringe of reeds on the next solid place. "

And now Richard Wood was all excitement. "Which was it?" he asked; "theyoung lord or the serving-man?"

"Why, thou knowest I did never see either, " replied the man, "and Icould not draw very near. But the person I did see did seem too smallto be the stout Saxon serving-man of whom thou hast spoken. "

Without a word, but with his face expressing great triumph, RichardWood waved to the others to approach, which they did slowly and withcare. Having come up with him, he communicated to them the news he hadreceived, and, bidding them scatter in such a manner as to surround thelittle place on which the fortunate man-at-arms had discovered the manor boy lying, he waited with such patience as he could muster until thetime had elapsed necessary for the carrying out of his commands, andthen advanced to capture the young lord with his own hands. And whatwas his disgust, when he came up with the sleeper under the tree, tofind Walter Skinner. 

"And is it thou, Walter Skinner?" he demanded when he had roused him. "And what doest thou here?"

[Illustration: Richard Wood finds Walter Skinner]

"Ay, Richard Wood, it is I. And what I do here is no concern of thine. Here have I been a day and a night and this second day. Little have Ihad to eat, and my drinking-horn is but now empty. And I have beenplanted in a miry pool. And I have lost my horse and my way also; andhave floundered into more bogs and out of them than can be found in allRobert Sadler's Ireland. Were I king, I would have no Isle of Axholmein all my dominions. Could I do no better, I would pull down the hillof Lincoln and cart it hither to fill these vile water-holes. Do butsee my doublet and hose. Were I called suddenly to the palace would notthe king and the court despise me as a drunken ruffler from somerevel-rout that had fallen from his horse? When all the blame is to belaid on this Isle of Axholme, which ought, by right, to belong toFrance, since it is full of frogs. "

"Thou art crazed, as thou always art when thou drinkest, " said RichardWood, coldly. 

"Dost thou say I have been drinking?" demanded Walter Skinner, startingup. 

"Yea, I say it. Thou sayest it also. For thou didst say thydrinking-horn was but now empty. "

"Yea, verily, " answered Walter Skinner. "If thou be a true man do butfill it for me again. Or lead me from this vile place, where oneheareth naught but the squawk of birds and the croak of frogs. I wouldfain see the Green Dragon and the idiot groom that did send me here. Iwarrant thee I will crack his pate for him. "

"Where is thy horse?" asked Richard Wood. 

"Ay, where is he? Who but that vile serving-man did bid the young lordcut him loose?"

"Thou dreamest, " said Richard Wood, incredulously. "Would a serving-manforget his station and bid his master do a task?"

"Ay, would he, if he were this serving-man. I tell thee he would bidthe king himself do a task if he chose, and, moreover, the king wouldobey. 'Twas he did plant me in the miry pool and say I did dance wellbut somewhat slowly when I did try to unplant myself, and for everyfoot I took up sunk the other deeper in the mire. And he did dub me'Sir Stick-in-the-Mud, ' moreover, for which I do owe him a grudge andwill requite him. I will meet him one day where there be no miry pools, and then let him beware. " This last he uttered with a look which wasintended to be fierce, but which was only silly. 

"Didst thou come after them alone with no man to help thee?" askedRichard Wood, still more incredulously. 

"Oh, I did have help enough, " was the answer, with a crafty look. "Idid have to my help a yew bow with a silken string that the kinghimself need not despise, and a great store of arrows, moreover. And Idid hide and bide my time until the darkness of night came and the fireblazed high. And then I did let my arrows fly. And what did theserving-man? He did catch up the very fire and rush upon me. And laterhe did break my arrows and cut my bow-string, and fling my bow into thewater, and then departed, I know not where. "

"Thou art but a sorry fool, " declared Richard Wood, after some thought. "And yet I cannot find it in my heart to leave thee here. Mount upbehind me, and at Gainsborough I will set thee down. There canst thoushift for thyself, and chase or forbear to chase as thou choosest. "

"Ay, thou sayest truly, " said the half-drunken Walter Skinner. "Andshould I now forbear to chase, a dukedom would no more than reward mefor the perils I have seen. First in the lofty tree watching thecastle; and thou knowest that now, when, from the interdict, no bellsmay ring to disperse the tempests, I might have died from the lightningstroke, not once but many times. For there might have been a tempestand lightning every day, and no thanks to the king that there was not. Then, too, I did encounter perils from the boughs which might havebroken and did not. And wherefore did they not? Because they were tootough and sound. And this, too, moreover, was no thanks to the king. And two horses have I lost, --one mine own and one the gift of the priorof St. Edmund's. And did the prior wish to give me the beast? Nay, hedid not, and would have refused it if he had dared. He made as if hegave it because of the king, but he did not. He feared before me, aswell he might. For I had met a hedgehog, and when a man is in such acase he is in no mind to have a horse refused him by a fat prior. Andall this also was no thanks to the king. And then I did meet thatvarlet of a groom at the Green Dragon, and he did send me here. Andhere have I met such misfortunes as would last a man his lifetime. "

To all this Richard Wood had lent but half an ear, being occupied inturning over in his mind the fact that Hugo and Humphrey had been inthe Isle and had gone, and trying to decide what was best to do. He nowlooked at him. "Mount up behind me and cease thy prating, " he said. Then turning to the men-at-arms he continued: "We go hence toGainsborough. From thence down to Sherwood Forest. It seemeth thisserving man loveth woods and wilds. Therefore it were waste of time toseek for him in towns and beaten ways. "

All the while he was speaking Walter Skinner, with many groans, wastrying to mount behind his old companion; but, on account of the horseshying his objections to such a proceeding, and the drunken clumsinessof Walter Skinner himself, nothing had been accomplished. Richard Woodtherefore called on one of the men-at-arms to dismount and hoist himup; which he did much as if the fierce little spy had been a bag ofmeal, and much to Walter Skinner's discomfort, who suddenly foundhimself heavily seated with one leg doubled up under him and with abumped face where he had struck against Richard Wood's shoulder. Hesoon righted himself, however, and, clinging to his old friend, rodeaway to Gainsborough. 

CHAPTER XII

As Hugo and Humphrey with Fleetfoot in leash looked about them from thebacks of their horses, it suddenly occurred to the prudent serving-manthat to go to an inn was not the safest thing in the world for them todo. "Thou art like our young lord Josceline, and Josceline is like hisfather, " said Humphrey. "And though they be few who would aid the kingagainst my lord now fled away to France, still there be a fewunprincipled knaves in every place. And though Lincoln had no longerago than nine years the good Hugh thou didst speak of for its bishop, still, if some knave abiding here should look upon thee and say, 'Behold the son of De Aldithely! I will take him!' it might go ill withthee. Wherefore I know not what were best to do. We be now come here, and have no place to lay our heads. The woods and the fens be safer. "

Then Hugo smiled. "Thou speakest not of thyself, Humphrey, " he said. "How if some knave abiding here should think to take not only the sonof De Aldithely, but his brave serving-man also? Thou art more carefulof me than of thyself, and I shall call it to mind one day. "

"Ay, lad, " said Humphrey, smiling in his turn. "Thou art as brave asany De Aldithely thyself. For who but the brave taketh time to think ofanother, and he only a serving-man, when himself is in danger? But allthis talk procureth us no safe place to lie, and methinks already therebe some in the streets that gape upon us. "

"No more than idlers ever do, " responded Hugo, with assurance. "We betwo strangers, and Fleetfoot, moreover, is a fine hound and worth thelooking at. "

"Ay, " said Humphrey, regretfully. "The hound is yet likely to get usinto trouble. But whither do we go? I would fain be out of the sight ofthese gazers. "

"Not to an inn, good Humphrey. I have here a ring from mine uncle, theprior, which, when I show it at certain places, will procure uslodging, and Lincoln is one of them. We go not down the hill toward theriver. Our place is here near the cathedral in the house of the canonRichard Durdent. "

Humphrey smiled. "It is good that thou hast for thine uncle a prior, "he said. 

"Ay, " responded Hugo. "He is a kind uncle. Where I show his ring I getnot only lodging, but certain moneys to help me on my way. He thoughtit not best that I should travel far with much gold about me, whereforehe hath made these arrangements. He knoweth the canon Durdent of old. "

"I would see this ring, " said Humphrey, curiously. 

"And so thou shalt, " promised Hugo, "when we be safely lodged. "

"How far reacheth the ring?" inquired Humphrey. 

"Even to France, " was the reply. 

"Then I would that thou wouldst trust it in my keeping, " said Humphrey, earnestly. 

The boy looked at him; once more he beheld him rushing upon the spy inthe Isle of Axholme; once more heard his indignant cry, "And wouldstthou slay my dear lad?" His eyes shone, but all he said was, "I willtrust thee with the custody of the ring, Humphrey, save at such timesas I must have it to show. "

The serving-man smiled well pleased, though he said nothing; for therewas no time for words, since they had already come to the door of thehouse they sought. 

"The ring is a powerful one, " said Humphrey, when they had been wellreceived and lodged. "I would fain see it. "

Hugo smiled and handed it to him. The serving-man took it in his largehand and regarded it narrowly. "After all it is but a carved fish on ared stone, " he said. 

"Thou dost not ask what it betokeneth?"

Humphrey glanced up quickly. "Thou canst make merry over my dreams, " hesaid, "and what they betoken. And here thou comest with a circlet ofgold crowned with a red stone having the likeness of a fish on it. Andthou sayest it betokeneth somewhat. Thou mayest no more deride mydreams. "

"Nay, nay, my good Humphrey, " laughed the boy. "Thou shalt have thydreams if thou wilt. But my uncle's priory is dedicated to St. Wilfrid, who taught the Sussex people to catch all fish, when before they knewonly how to catch eels. Therefore my uncle putteth a fish on the ring, that whosoever of his friends that seeth it may know it is the ring ofRoger Aungerville, prior of St. Wilfrid's. "

"So doth the fish of thine uncle give us lodging and safety, " observedHumphrey, thoughtfully. "It is a good ring. I will hold it with allcare. " And he drew forth the small pouch of gold pieces which Lady DeAldithely had given him, and put the ring carefully inside it. "Ithangeth about my neck, thou seest, " he said, as he replaced the pouch, "and no man may take it unless he first taketh my head. "

"Or disableth thee with an arrow or a sword thrust, " said Hugo. 

"Ay, " answered Humphrey, gravely. "I had not spoken of arrows and swordthrusts. I have the hope that we may meet with neither. And though theway is long when one must creep and hide and crawl, and go to the southone day, to the southwest another, and the southeast another, yet theend cometh at last, and I have hope it be a good end. And now I askthee how long we bide and whence go we from here? Doth the ringdecide?"

"Nay, " replied Hugo. "Thou shalt have thy share of the making of plans. But I would fain learn what we may of the region round about, and ofthe safety or danger it holdeth for us ere we sally forth. "

"Why, now, " said Humphrey, approvingly, "thou art learning craft. Forwho but a fool would be careless of danger? Thou art like my lord, whoknoweth when to strike and when to flee. And for that it is that hismen follow him madly in battle. For, if there be risk, they do know itto be necessary risk, with a certain gain to be obtained at the end ofit, if all go well. But if there be no gain in view, my lord leadeththem not into unnecessary danger, and so it is that he is a power andthe king hateth him. Thou doest well to look ahead of thee, for thereis no gain to be had from lying in the king's dungeon, but mayhap thoushalt lose thy head also, as well as thy liberty. But what doest thounow?"

"Why, I fain would sleep, having had no rest in the night. But thecanon knoweth naught of that, nor may I tell him. He must be busy tilleven, and so he sendeth me to view the cathedral; and thou mayest gowith me. "

To this Humphrey made no reply, but followed his young master insilence. 

The verger who took them in charge was an ancient man called Paulinusof Mansfield, having been born in that place. And he soon saw that whathe had to show of the unfinished cathedral was lost on the heavy-liddedboy who was half asleep, and upon the Saxon serving-man, who felt nointerest in such matters. Wherefore when he came from the chapter-houseinto the cloisters he, being old and feeble, was fain to sit down on astone bench and rest; and he motioned Hugo to a seat beside him. 

Humphrey had the idea that, at all times and in all places, wisdom waswith the aged. Besides, the old verger reminded him, in certainparticulars, of his own grandsire, who was a great talker and who knewmore of all matters concerning the countryside than half a dozen othermen. 

And he now cast such an expressive glance upon Hugo and gave such ameaning nod toward Paulinus, that the boy must perforce haveunderstood, even if he had not added in a tone too low to catch thesomewhat deaf ears of the old man, "Ask him what thou wouldest know. "

At once Hugo threw off his drowsiness and, in the most pleasing mannerhe could summon, requested to be informed of the surrounding district. 

"It is easy to see thou art a stranger, " said the gratified old man. "And thou wouldest know the region round about Lincoln?" he repeated. "Thou hast come to him who can tell thee of it, for I was born andbrought up in these parts. It is truly a noble region on all sides savethe east, where lieth the fen country. For here cometh the kingfrequently to take his pleasure. And that is oft pleasure to him whichwould be none to gentler minds. "

At this Hugo turned startled eyes on Humphrey, who stood at a littledistance, but who did not appear to notice his look. 

"Hast ever seen the king?" inquired Paulinus. 

"Nay, " replied Hugo. 

"Nor need thou wish so to do, " returned the aged Paulinus. "I speak tothee in confidence, for surely thou art a worthy youth or thou wouldestnot be guest to the Canon Durdent. The king is the youngest and theworst son of the wicked Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is now, by themercy of God, dead. I could tell thee tales of the king's cruelty thatwould affright thee, but I will not. He loveth to hunt in the Forest ofSherwood, and therefore hath he castles and lodges hereabout, which hedoth frequent as it pleaseth him. And he hath ever had a liking for thatcastle at Newark which our bishop of Lincoln, Alexander the Magnificent, did build. I could tell thee tales of the dungeons there--knowest thouwhat they be like?" And he paused and looked at Hugo, who was somewhatpale, for the word "dungeon" had come to have a fearsome meaning to him. 

"Nay, " answered the boy, "I know not. "

"Thou goest in the castle through a passage to the northwest corner, where is a door which is guarded. Here is the solid rock; and insidethat door be two dungeons scooped out of it. No stair descendeth tothem. Those who occupy them at the king's will are lowered into them bya rope, and there is no chance by which they may escape. There theyabide in darkness, and no skill, or cunning, or bravery can avail themso that they may escape. " The old man paused. 

Presently Hugo asked, "And where lieth this castle from here?"

"It lieth to the southwest, less than a score of miles away. "

Hugo said nothing, and, after a short silence, Paulinus began again:"If thou shouldest journey hence a little south of west, then wouldestthou come to Clipstone Palace, which lieth not far from Mansfield, where I was born. Here the king doth sometimes frequent, and fromthence he goeth to hunt in the forest. But better men than he havefrequented it when his father, King Henry, and his brother, KingRichard, did sojourn there. Thinkest thou to journey that way?"

"Nay, " replied Hugo. "Methinks our way lieth not toward Clipstone. "

"Mayhap it were better to journey by Newark, where be the dungeons Ihave told thee of; and so, when thou hast viewed that castle, journeyon southward to Nottingham, where the king hath another castle whichoft holdeth many prisoners. He keepeth there certain children, thehostages he demandeth of their fathers. And no man knoweth when theywill die, for that is a matter of the king's pleasure. "

The old verger now seemed to fall into a reverie, in which he remainedso long that Hugo rose from the stone bench, thus rousing him. Slowlyhe raised himself from his seat, having apparently forgotten all thathe had just been saying, and conducted them to the entrance, where hebade them adieu. 

"I fear to bide here longer, " said Humphrey, as they returned to thecanon's house. "Let us away to the fens on the east of this place, and, through their wilds, make our way southward. "

Hugo reflected. Then he answered, "Thou art right, Humphrey. It werenot best to journey so near the king's castles and dungeons. We willaway to-morrow morn to the fens. "

This, however, they were unable to do. The canon desired not to partwith his friend's nephew so soon. Seeing which, Humphrey consoledhimself for the delay by buying ample stores of provisions, with whichhe so loaded the horses that the canon wondered. "There be towns allthe way from hence to London, and inns in all the towns, " he said. "Thou mayest journey without that packhorse load. "

But Humphrey was obstinate. "The goods be bought, " he said stubbornly. 

The canon who knew not that they intended to travel through the fensand avoid the towns, looked pityingly at Hugo. "I see thou hast amaster in thy man, " he observed. "I wonder thine Uncle Roger did notchoose for thee a more obedient servant. "

It was on the tip of the boy's tongue to tell him that his uncle'sprudence had furnished him with no servant at all. But, at a warningglance from Humphrey, he kept silence. And then, with the blessing ofthe canon, they set out down the hill through the narrow street towardthe river, which they crossed and found themselves outside the town. 

CHAPTER XIII

Having deposited Walter Skinner before the door of the Lion inGainsborough, Richard Wood and his men set off for Sherwood Forest inthe strong hope of coming up with the runaways they sought. And, innowise cast down by his recent discouraging experiences, Walter Skinnerheld his head high and looked around him fiercely, as of yore. Hisdoublet and hose besplashed with mud and torn by briers seemed not togive him any concern; neither did the condition of his shoes, whichwere foul with the slimy mud of the swamp. 

"I will have breakfast, sirrah, and that immediately, " he said to thewaiter when he had entered the inn. 

The waiter eyed him doubtfully. 

"Make haste. I command thee to it. Dally not with me. I serve theking, " said the fierce little man, loftily. 

"Thy service hath taken thee in strange paths, " observed the innkeeper, who had drawn near. 

"Not so strange as thine will take thee in if thou delay me, " retortedWalter Skinner, haughtily. 

There was in the bar a strange man of a crafty and evil face, and henow drew near the imperious little spy, and humbly besought the honorof taking his breakfast in Walter Skinner's company. 

"And so thou shalt, " said the spy, condescendingly. "And mayhap, sinceI have lost my horse, thou canst direct me where I can find another. Ihave no time to go harrying a prior for one. "

The landlord now led the way obsequiously, and soon the strange pairwere seated in one of the several private rooms of the inn, with thepromise that breakfast should be served to them at once. 

Then said the stranger: "As to the matter of a horse, I have at thismoment one by me which I would fain dispose of. He is not gentle enoughto my liking. "

"I care not for gentleness in a horse, " declared Walter Skinner. "Iwarrant thee I can ride the beast whether he be gentle or not. "

"Thou lookest a bold rider, " observed the stranger, craftily. 

"He that doeth the king's business hath need to be a bold rider, "returned Walter Skinner, with a look which was intended to convey theinformation that he could unfold mysteries were he so disposed. 

"Thou art high in the king's counsels, then?" asked the stranger, witha covert smile. 

"Not so high but I shall be higher when I have finished the business inhand, " returned Walter Skinner, patronizingly. The breakfast being nowbrought he said no more, but ate like a starving man, and with a veryunfavorable memory of his late meals of wild berries in the swamp. Thecrafty-eyed stranger ate more sparingly, and seemed to be mentallymeasuring the fierce little man opposite him. At last he asked, "Andwhence goest thou from here?"

"What is that to thee?" demanded Walter Skinner. "Wouldst thou pry intothe king's business? Reach me the bottle. "

The stranger obeyed, and after taking a long drink Walter Skinner said:"I will now tell thee what I would not tell to every man. First, fromhere I go to the Green Dragon at Doncaster, there to crack the pate ofthe groom that did send me into the Isle of Axholme, where I did haveall sorts of contumely heaped upon me. And after that I shall pursue mycourse or not, as it pleaseth me. Richard Wood did give me permissionso to do. Knowest thou Richard Wood?"

"Nay, " answered the stranger. 

"He is well enough in his place, and that is in the high treeoverlooking the castle. But when he will ride abroad with men-at-armsbehind him to obey his word, then he thinketh that he may tell me also, his old friend, what I may and may not do. He hath even bid me ceaseprating. What thinkest thou of such a man?"

"Why, he must be a bold man that would bid thee cease prating, " repliedthe stranger. 

Walter Skinner took another drink and then looked long and earnestly athim. "Thou art a man of reason, " he said; "yea, and of wisdom, moreover. And come, now, show me thy ungentle horse. I promise thee Iwill back him or--or--" He did not finish his sentence, and the twowent out to the inn yard, where stood a horse which did not seem to beparticularly vicious. And the animal was soon in the possession of thespy for a very fair sum in exchange. 

"I will but fix his bridle for thee, " said the man, "while thou payestthe reckoning, and then mayest thou ride with speed and safety. I maynot stay to see thee go, for I must instantly depart. "

"Ay, thou hast a hard master, no doubt, " observed Walter Skinner, witha shake of the head. 

"Necessity is my master, " said the stranger. 

"Ay, ay, no doubt, " returned Walter Skinner, going toward the bar. "Necessity is not mine, however. "

A half-hour later, when the spy was ready to set out, the stranger haddisappeared. But he did not miss him, for the landlord himself had comeout into the yard to see him off, while all the grooms stood about, andtwo or three maids looked on. 

"Good people, give back, " said Walter Skinner, grandly. "Block not theway of the king's man. Ye mean well and kindly, no doubt, but I wouldhave ye withdraw yourselves a little space. "

By the help of a groom he was mounted, and a moment later he was out ofthe inn yard. But now a strange thing happened. He was no sooner out ofthe town than the horse refused to be controlled. In vain the littlespy tried to head him toward Doncaster. The stranger had removed thebit, putting in its place a wisp of straw, which the horse quicklychewed to pieces, and then, with a shake of the head, he galloped offto the south. 

[Illustration: Walter Skinner's horse refused to be controlled]

"Thou beast!" cried the spy. "What meanest thou? Thou art held in bybit and bridle. Dost not know it?"

It seemed that the horse did not, for he went on at a faster pace. 

"Thou art worse than the prior's horse!" cried Walter Skinner, droppingthe reins and clinging round the animal's neck. "I would I had thestranger that did sell thee to me! I would crack his pate also, even asI will the pate of the groom at the Green Dragon. "

Giving no heed to the remonstrances of his rider or the unevenness ofthe road, the horse kept on until he entered the gates of Lincoln, andstopped before the Swan with a loud and joyous neigh. 

At the sound two grooms ran out. "Here he be!" cried one. "Here beBlack Tom that was stole but two nights agone, " cried the other; whilein great amazement Walter Skinner sat up and gazed from one to theother. 

"What meanest thou, sirrah?" he demanded of the second groom. "Sayestthou a horse is stolen when I did pay good money for him but thismorning? And, moreover, who would steal such a beast that will mind notthe bridle and only runs his course the faster for the spur?"

"Ay, thou knewest not that he was stolen, no doubt, " retorted thesecond groom, sarcastically. "But here cometh master, who will soonpull thee down from thy high perch, thou little minute of a dirty man. Thou hast slept in the swamp over night, I do be bound, and now comestto brave it out, seeing thou canst not make way with the horse. "

"I would have thee know, villain, that I serve the king, and did buythe horse in Gainsborough this morn to replace the one which the younglord did cut loose. And whether I did sleep in the swamp or in a duke'schamber is naught to thee or to thy master. I have been so shaken upthis morn over thy rough roads and by thy vile beast of a horse thatthou and thy master shall pay for it. What! is the servant of the kingto be sent into the Isle of Axholme by an idiot groom at the GreenDragon? And, being there, is he to be planted in the mire like a rushby a Saxon serving-man? And is his horse to be cut loose by the younglord at the word of that same Saxon serving-man? And is he to becarried behind Richard Wood to Gainsborough? And is he there to buy ablack horse from a vile stranger? And is he to be run away with to thisplace when he would fain go elsewhere about his master's business, which is to catch this young lord and the Saxon serving-man? And thenis he to be looked at as if he were a thief? Thou shalt repent, and soI tell thee; yea, in sackcloth and ashes. And if thou canst find nosackcloth, then thou shalt have a double portion of ashes, ye knaves, and so I promise you. "

At these words the innkeeper and the grooms looked at each other. Andthen the innkeeper said civilly that he and the grooms had meant nooffence, but that the horse had certainly been stolen from the Swan twonights before. The second groom, equally desirous with his master toconciliate, pressed forward to show him how the bit had been removed bythe rascal who sold the horse so that he would come straight homeagain. 

"Which I did but now discover, " said the second groom. 

And the first groom, not to be outdone, said: "If thou really seekestthe young lord and the Saxon serving-man we can put thee on theirtrack, for surely they did leave here but some three hours agone. "

Walter Skinner stared stupidly for a moment, while the innkeeperreproved the groom for being beforehand with him in giving theintelligence. Then the little spy sat up straighter and put on ahaughtier air than ever. "Aha, Fortune!" he cried, "thou art bound tomake a duke of me whether I will or not. " Then turning to theinnkeeper he said: "I will enter thine inn, and do thou see that dinnerbe promptly served. I will then procure a change of raiment. I will thensleep over night. I will then breakfast. I will then take thy BlackTom, which I did buy, and withhold him from me if thou darest. And Iwill then set out after the young lord and the serving-man. I have nowgiven thee my confidence, which if thou betray thou shalt answer forit. Why, they cannot escape me. Hath Richard Wood come up with themthree several times, as I now have? Nay. If he had he would havecaptured them, which showeth that I be the abler man of the two; for, while I have not captured them, he hath not even caught sight of them. And now make haste with the dinner. "

All this time the spy had kept his seat on the horse. He now came down, and the innkeeper, without a word, led the way to a private room, whilethe grooms exchanged glances. "Yon be a madman, " said the first, whosename was Elfric. 

"Yea, or a drunken man, which is the same thing, " responded the second. 

"He will catch not the young lord, " declared Elfric. 

"I did not dream they fled as they rode down the street to the river, "observed the second. "They did go slowly enough, and the young lordlooked about him curiously and unafraid. "

"By that thou mayest know he was a lord, and this drunken fool speakethtrue, " returned Elfric. "The better the blood, the less of fear; sohath my grandsire said. "

Though Walter Skinner had commanded the innkeeper and the grooms tokeep what he called his confidence on pain of his vengeance, what hehad said flew abroad. And wherever the little spy appeared thatafternoon he seemed to arouse much curiosity. "The king must be put toit for help when he employeth such a one, " commented a cooper. 

"Tut, man!" was the reply. "What careth the king who doeth his pleasureso it be done? It looketh not like to be done, though, with this manfor the doer of it. Why, who but a fool seeing those he sought hadthree good hours the start of him would give them four and twentymore?"

The cooper shrugged his shoulders. "I tell thee, Peter of the forge, "he said, "that I care not if the king's will be never done, for it is abad will. Therefore the more fools like yon he setteth to do it thebetter. "

Meanwhile the innkeeper was thinking ruefully of the guest he had onhis hands. "I may not anger him, " he said to Elfric, the groom. 

"Nor needest thou, " replied Elfric. 

"Talk not to me, " said the innkeeper, impatiently. "Wouldst have melose Black Tom? For whether he did pay the thief for him or not, hemost certainly did not pay me. And thou knowest the value of BlackTom. "

"Yea, " answered Elfric, "I know it. But why shouldst thou lose BlackTom?"

"Why? Art thou gone daft? Didst thou hear him bid me refuse him thebeast if I dared? This it is to have a bad king who will set suchknaves upon his business. "

"If there be but one black horse in Lincoln, " replied Elfric, "thoudoest well to fret. But if there be Black Dick that is broken-windedand hath the spring-halt so that he be not worth more than one day'sreckoning at the Swan at the most; and if he looketh tolerably fair;and if thou mayst buy him for a small sum; and if this drunken foolknoweth not one horse from another; why needst thou worry?"

The face of the innkeeper at once cleared. "The fraud is justifiable, "he said. "For why should he take my Black Tom and give me naught? I dobut protect myself when I give him instead Black Dick. "

"Ay, and thou doest no unfriendly turn to the young lord neither. Ihave been to inquire, and there be those that say he is son to DeAldithely. And doubtless he fleeth away to his brave father in France. I did think he had a familiar look this morn. And when I heard, I didrepent that the Swan had put this knave upon his track. But with BlackDick he cometh not up with him in a hurry. "

That night Walter Skinner found the Swan a most pleasant abiding-place, where all were attentive to serve him. "Thou hast me for thy friend, "he told the innkeeper as he supped with him. "Thou hast me, I say, andnot Richard Wood. And I will speak a good word for thee to the king. Not now, indeed, for it were not seemly that I should introduce thymatters until I had brought mine own to a happy issue. But what sayestthou? To pursue a young lord for many miles and capturehim, --single-handed, --were that not worth a dukedom? I have here thisgood yew bow with a silken string and a goodly store of arrows. Oh, Iwill capture him, if ever I come up with him. The serving-man cuttethnot this silken string nor breaketh these arrows, I warrant thee. "

And, clad in his new raiment, Walter Skinner sat back in his chair andgazed pompously around. 

The innkeeper listened, and, supper being over, he sought Elfric, towhom he related what had passed. "I would not that a hair of the youngson of De Aldithely should be harmed, " he said. "And what I dare notdo, that thou must perform. "

"And what is that?" asked Elfric. 

"Thou must fray his bow-string so it will not be true, and thou mustinjure his arrows likewise. "

"Right willingly will I do so, " promised Elfric. "If he hit any mark heaim at when I am done with the bow and arrows, then am I as great aknave as he. And the damage shall be so small that he may not see itneither. "

CHAPTER XIV

Although there were those who had looked upon Hugo and Humphreycuriously in the streets of Lincoln, there were none sufficientlyinterested to observe what direction they took after they had left thetown. And none saw them leave the road and betake themselves to thefens as safer for their journey. So east of the heights, which, to theeast of Lincoln, extend in a southeasterly direction, they rode, picking their way as they might, and hopeful that now all enemies werethrown off their track. 

"It is a weariness to be pursued so many days, " said Hugo. "I wouldfain breathe easily once more. "

"Ay, lad, " returned Humphrey. "But that is what cannot be done in thisworld. When thou art forty years old, as I am, thou wilt see that everyman hath his enemies and every bird and beast also, as we may perchancesee in this wild fen country. It is good, therefore, to breathe aseasily as one can and think no more about it. Knowest thou what thesefens be like?"

"Nay; but mine uncle hath told me that they be vast, and that here andthere half-wild people live in huts along the reedy shores; and thatsouth lieth the goodly town of Peterborough, as well as the abbey ofCrowland. "

"Doth the ring avail at Peterborough?"

"Yea, if I have need; but there will be none. " And he glanced with asmile at the heavily loaded horses they rode, and bethought himself ofhis plentiful supply of gold pieces. "What hast thou in all these bagsand packs, Humphrey?" he asked. 

"Why, the answer to that question is not so simple, " was the reply. "Idid but buy somewhat of all I saw, and did bestow it the best I could, so as to leave room for our legs on the sides of the horses. Should thespy pursue us, he would soon come up with us, for flee we could not, soloaded down. But I look not for him. No doubt he still lodgeth in theIsle of Axholme, and the other spy we have not of late heard from. Ifwe but keep clear of beaten paths, we be safe enough. I will hope tohave a dream to-night. "

Hugo did not reply; he was looking about him in much enjoyment. The daychanced to be clear, and as far as he could see lay the level of thefen-lands. Here were trees, some straight, others leaning over thewater; there were islands of reeds, and yonder the water shimmering onits shallow, winding way, so sluggish as to be almost stagnant. Thewhole region was alive with sound, --the cries of water-fowl, the songsof birds, and the croak of frogs. And when he rode along the water'sbrink, an occasional fin flashed out. Humphrey watched him withapproval. "Ay, lad, " he said, "thou wilt soon be wise in fen lore, forthou hast a heart to it. I will tell thee now that I have wherewith tofish in one of these same packs. Mine ears were not idle in the town, and I did learn that perch and red-eye and roach and bream frequent thewaters of the fen. "

"And didst thou ask what fish were in the fen?" asked Hugo, in alarm. 

"Nay, lad, most surely not. But when I did see fish for sale I didpraise their beauty, and they that had them did of themselves tell mewhere they did catch them. There be more ways of finding out thingsthan by asking of questions. "

They were now come to a small, grassy isle fringed with reeds. "Here dowe get down, " said Humphrey. "I would fain see if we do not catch someof those same fish for our dinner. And here is grass, moreover, wherethe horses can graze. "

Slowly and carefully boy and man disengaged themselves from the baggagethat almost encased them and dismounted. "If thou dost get a dreamto-night, Humphrey, " said Hugo, laughingly, "I hope thou wilt discoverwhat we shall do with all this stuff. "

"I dream not to find out such a thing as that, " returned theserving-man, good-naturedly. 

The horses were soon tied out, and the fishing-lines and hooksunpacked. Then Humphrey, going out on a fallen log which was halfsubmerged, carefully plumbed the water to see how deep it was, whileHugo watched him in wonder. Next he took from another package someground bait consisting of meal, and balls made of bread and grain, worked up in the hand. This he threw into the water, which was here buttwo feet deep. Then in a whisper he said, "All this I did learn inLincoln. " And he bade Hugo hold his line so that the bait on the hookwas about an inch from the bottom. 

Hugo obeyed, and in a moment was rewarded with a red-eye about a footlong. At the same time Humphrey drew out another. And before long theyhad half a dozen each, for the red-eye was always sure to be one of acrowd, and it was so greedy that it took the bait readily. 

"No more to-day, " said Humphrey, winding up his line, "for we alreadyhave more than we can eat, and I hold it sin to slay what we cannoteat. This was I taught by my grandsire, who ever said that evil wassure to befall those who did so. And I would we could put the life backinto half we have taken; but they did bite so readily that we had toomany suddenly. Still, if we eat naught to speak of but fish, we maymake away with most and so be spared evil. "

While Humphrey dressed the too numerous fish, Hugo sought sufficientfuel to cook them, and came back to find the serving-man wellsatisfied. "Even as I did begin to dress the fish, " he said, "therecame a sound of wings, and I looked up and did behold a glede. And Idid cease to move; so came he nearer, and did snatch a fish. Then cameanother and did snatch a fish. In quietness I did wait. Then came thefirst glede back and did take a fish, and the second did like-wise. And, by waiting with patience, the gledes did take two more. And now wehave but six fish, and no evil will befall us, for those we can eat. "

Hugo smiled, for the big serving-man had spoken with the faith of achild. 

Their noon rest taken, they went on again toward the south and came bynightfall to what Humphrey decided to be a suitable place to pass thenight. "I mean not, " he said, "that the place would please me were weout of the fen. But being in the fen, why, there be worse places thanthis to be found; for it is not a bog nor a slough, and there be reedsin plenty near by. "

"Do we make a fire?" asked Hugo, mindful of their experience in theIsle of Axholme. 

"Yea, " answered the serving-man. "If we make the fire perchance someevil person seeth us, perchance not. If we make not the fire, the chillof the fen doth get into our bones. Seest thou how the mist arises? Andwe be not like the holy hermits of these haunts to withstand chill andvapors. "

Hugo looked at him in surprise. "How knowest thou of holy hermits?" heasked. 

"I did even learn of them in Lincoln. It was the canon's servant whodid tell me of St. Guthlac and St. Godric. He did know more of the holyhermits than of his master's service, I warrant thee. And that is anevil knowledge for a servant that bids him talk to the neglect of hismaster's good. "

The fire alight, the two lay down, Hugo to fall asleep and Humphrey torise at intervals through the night and throw on reeds that so the fenmists might work no harm to the boy, to whom he was now as devotedlyattached as ever he was to Josceline. The morning's breakfast was fromthe packs which Humphrey acknowledged were too full for prudentcarrying; and by the time Walter Skinner arose at the Swan they wereoff again, still southward. They were now nearer the coast, and a greatfen eagle flew screaming over their heads. "To dream that eagles do flyover your head doth betoken evil fortune, " remarked Humphrey, gravely. "But I think we need not fear those eagles which do not fly in dreams. "

And now in the yard of the Swan all was astir. Elfric had taken BlackDick out and gently exercised him so that his spring-halt need not beat once apparent, and there was no little anxiety on the part of thehost to get rid of his guest expeditiously. The spy, however, with hisusual dulness, did not perceive it, but took all this effusive serviceas his rightful due. "I will requite thee later, worthy host, " he saidgrandly. "I will not fail to set thee before the king in the light of atrusty innkeeper. " With this farewell he rode pompously out of the yardand slowly down the hill street to the river, and so passed out of thetown. And, being out, he paused to consider his course. 

"Shall I go to the fen in pursuit of them, or shall I go downNottingham way?" he said. "I will go Nottingham way. I will be no moreplanted in mire like a rush. Nay, verily. Not to find all the younglords and Saxon serving-men in creation. I serve the king; and will gonot into bogs and fens suitable for Saxon outcasts and no others. Andif they be wise they will do the same. "

Having come to this decision, he put spurs to Black Dick and was offsouthwest, while slowly Hugo and Humphrey journeyed on southeast. Presently the horse began to heave. "Why, where is thy speed ofyesterday, Black Tom?" cried Walter Skinner. "Thou didst not heave whenI clung round thy neck on the way to Lincoln town. " He gave the bridlea sharp jerk, suddenly turning the horse which now began to show thespring-halt with which he was afflicted. "Why, what sort of a dance isthis?" cried Walter Skinner. "Thou art a strange beast. Verily, thouart like some people--one thing yesterday and another to-day. I can saythis for thee--thou wert black yesterday, and thou art still blackto-day. "

He had not gone far when he came up with a man riding slowly along, anddecided to take him into his confidence so far as to ask if he had seenthose he sought. Accordingly he crowded Black Dick close alongside ofthe stranger's horse, and, giving him a meaning glance, said, "Hastthou seen a young lord this morn?"

The stranger looked astonished, as well he might. 

"Ay, " said Walter Skinner, much gratified. "I said a young lord. Mayhapthou art not used to consort with such, but a young lord is not muchmore to me than his Saxon serving-man. And that remindeth me--hast seenthe serving-man also?"

"Nay, " answered the stranger, mildly. "I have seen neither. "

"And that is strange, too, " said Walter Skinner. "Why, bethink thee, man! Thou must have seen them. They did leave Lincoln but yester morn. And if they came not this way, which way did they go? Answer me truly, for I warn thee, I serve the king. "

The stranger reaffirming that he had seen neither the young lord norhis serving-man, Walter Skinner was obliged to be content. "They be asslippery as eels, " he cried. "And that remindeth me, I did eat eels forbreakfast at the Swan this morn. "

Then, without a word of leave-taking, he rode off, Black Dick doing hisafflicted best, and Walter Skinner wondering how he could have been somistaken in the animal. "The thief that stole him did well to be rid ofhim, " he said. "And that he should put him off on me is but anotherindignity I have suffered on this chase. The king hath ever alengthening score to pay, and nothing but a dukedom will content me. And why should I not be a duke? Let Richard Wood say what he likes, worse men than I have been dukes. Ay, and more basely born. "

By noon he had come to Newark. "And here will I pause and search thetown for them, " he said. "If they know not of them, why, theirignorance is criminal. A loyal subject should know what concerneth hisking. And it concerneth the king that these two be found. "

Now it chanced that the king was then at Newark and about to set offfor Clipstone Palace. Which, when Walter Skinner heard, he declaredproudly, "I will have speech of him. "

"Thou have speech of him!" exclaimed an attendant. "Thou art mad. "

"Nay, verily, I am not mad. Am I not Walter Skinner, hired by theking's minister to bide in a high tree that overlooketh De Aldithelycastle? I tell thee, I will see the king. " And, the party nowapproaching, he broke through all restraint and rode close up besidethe king. "May it please thy Majesty, " he began, "there be those thatdo keep me back from speech with thee. Ay, even though I do tell themthat I serve thee. "

The king looked at him, laughed rudely, and motioned one of hisattendants to remove him. But the little man waved the attendant off, and cried out so that all might hear, "Didst not thy minister hire meto bide in the tall tree that overlooketh De Aldithely Castle?"

At the mention of the name De Aldithely the king paused, and seemed tolisten. Seeing which, Walter Skinner went on: "And, when all the restwere gone to York, did I not see the young lord and his Saxonserving-man ride forth? And did I not give chase? And do I not now seekthem on this wind-broken and spring-halt horse as best I may?"

The king beckoned the little man nearer. 

"Where hast thou sought?" he asked. 

"In the wood, in the swamp, and in the town, " was the proud answer. "Ibe not like Richard Wood, who did set out to help me. For I have comeup with them three several times, and he not once. "

The king turned to one of his attendants. "Take thou the madman intocustody, " he said. "We will presently send to De Aldithely castle tosee if these things be so. "

CHAPTER XV

Richard Wood and his men had searched the forest of Sherwood thoroughlyenough to lead them to conclude that those they sought had takenanother route. And on this, the tenth day of his chase, Richard Woodsaid decidedly: "We try the fen now to the east. They be not spirits tovanish in the air. Here in this wood they are not, nor do I think theywould bide in any town. Therefore in the fen they must be. " Thereupon, leaving the forest, they rode southeast by the way of Grantham, and soon into the fen country, striking it a few miles from where Hugo andHumphrey were making their camp for the night, almost within sight ofPeterborough. The two were quite cheerful, and entirely unsuspiciousthat danger might be nearer to them than usual. 

"Thinkest thou to stop at Peterborough?" asked Humphrey. 

"Nay, " replied Hugo; "there is no need. "

"And yet, " urged Humphrey, "a good lodging, were it but for one night, were a happy change from the fens. Who is the canon that is thineuncle's friend at Peterborough?"

"Canon Thurstan, " replied Hugo. 

"In the Canon Thurstan's house--" began Humphrey. 

"But the canon hath no house, " interrupted Hugo, with a smile. 

"And how is that?" demanded Humphrey, with a puzzled air. 

"It happeneth because this cathedral is on another foundation, and thecanons here be regular and not secular, as they be in Lincoln. "

Humphrey reflected. "I understand not, " he said at length. 

"At Peterborough the canons live all together in one house, " explainedHugo. "Were we to go there we should be taken to the hospitium, wherewe should be lodged. "

"And there see the Canon Thurstan?"

"Yea. "

Again Humphrey reflected. Then he said: "The ways of priests be many. Mayhap I had known more of them, but in my forty years I have had to dowith other matters, like serving my lord and lady in troublous times. The priest at the castle I did know, but not much of the ways ofpriests in priests' houses. And now cometh the evening mist rightearly. I will but make up the fire and then lead away the horses. "

The fire made, although it was not dark, Humphrey departed, leavingHugo to feed it. This the boy did generously, for he felt chilled. Thesmoke did not rise high and the odor of it penetrated to some distance. 

In a little while Humphrey returned laden with a new supply of fuelpartly green and partly dry. He then spread out their evening meal, andgave Fleetfoot his supper. And, all these things accomplished and thesupper eaten, he announced his intention to go again for fuel. 

"Have we not here enough?" asked Hugo. "Thou knowest we journey on inthe morning. "

"Mayhap, " answered Humphrey. "I like not the look of this mist. Mygrandsire hath told me of a mist that lay like a winding-sheet oneverything for two days, and this seemeth to me to be of that kind. Itwere not wise to stir, mayhap, to-morrow morn. "

"Lest we encounter the other spy?" laughed Hugo. 

"Jest not, dear lad, " replied Humphrey, soberly. "We may not know howor whence danger cometh. "

"And dost thou fear, then?" asked Hugo. 

"Nay, I fear not. I cannot say I fear. But this moment a feeling hathcome to me which I had not before. I will away for more fuel. "

"I go with thee, " said Hugo. 

"Ay, lad, come, " was the reply. 

Two trips they made, each time returning heavily laden, and then Hugolaughingly said, "Surely we have enough, even if the mist last twodays, for we had good store before thou didst look upon the mist withsuspicion. "

Humphrey smiled. "Yea, lad, " he answered, "the fuel now seemethenough. "

While he spoke a wind sprang up and the mist grew lighter. It blewharder, and the mist was gone. One might see the stars. Two hours thislasted, during which Richard Wood and his men, as if guided, rodestraight for the small camp, picking their way with great good fortuneand making few missteps. Then the wind died down, the mist came backenfolding everything, and the pursuers encamped where they were. But ofthat Hugo and Humphrey knew nothing. 

It might have been two o'clock when the serving-man awoke with a shiverand rose to renew the fire. He found it quite extinguished. As he feltabout in the darkness for his flint and steel he glanced anxiouslytoward Hugo, though he could not see him. "I know not, " he muttered, "Iknow not. But I did dream of eagles and they did scream above ourheads. Some danger draweth near, or some heavy trouble. "

The fire now blazed, and the faithful serving-man saw that Hugo wasstill asleep, resting as easily on his couch of reeds as he could havedone on the canon's bed. "It is a good lad, " said Humphrey. "Were he aDe Aldithely he could not be better. "

Humphrey lay down no more that night. Restlessly he moved about, nowreplenishing the fire, and now listening for some hostile sound. But heheard nothing. 

It was late in the morning when Hugo awoke. "Surely this must be thygrandsire's mist, Humphrey, " he said. "It is heavy enough. "

"Yea, " answered Humphrey, looking up from the breakfast he waspreparing. "It were best not to stir abroad to-day. "

And at that moment Richard Wood was saying: "I smell smoke within halfa mile of me. Ride we to see what that meaneth. " Again, as if to aidhim, the wind sprang up so that through the lifting mist one mighteasily pick his way, and Humphrey had just departed to look after thehorses when Richard Wood and his men-at-arms arrived at the camp. 

"Yield thee, Josceline De Aldithely!" commanded Richard Wood. "Yieldthee in the king's name!" and, dismounting, he laid his hand on theastonished lad's arm. 

[Illustration: "Yield Thee in the King's Name"]

A little later Humphrey, returning to the camp, paused in amazement, for he heard voices. He crept around a fringe of reeds and peered, butcould not see clearly. He advanced further, still under cover, and thenhe saw. 

"I did dream of eagles, " he muttered, "and they did scream above ourheads. "

He listened, and from what he heard he learned that Hugo had notrevealed himself as Hugo, but that he allowed the spy to think him tobe Josceline. "Well did my lady trust in him!" exulted Humphrey. "Andmy lord shall know of this when we be come to France, as we shall come, though all the eagles in the fens do scream above our heads. And now Iwill away to the Canon Thurstan, and see of what avail is the fish onthe circlet of gold. "

Creeping back as silently as he could, he mounted his horse and set outfor Peterborough. "May the spy and his men-at-arms be too weary to stirtill I come back, " he said. "And if they be not weary, may the mistcome lower down and hold them. And now, horse, do thy best. Splash intopools, wade, swim, do all but stick fast till we come to Peterboroughtown. "

The horse, thus urged, did his sagacious best, and very shortly theserving-man was knocking at the gate of the porter's lodge. NowHumphrey knew nothing of how he ought to proceed. He only knew that hewas in haste and that his need was urgent. He therefore determined toemploy boldness and assurance, and push his way into the canon'spresence. 

"Canon Thurstan!" he cried boldly, attempting to push past the porter. "Canon Thurstan, and at once! My lord demandeth it. "

"Thou mayest not push in past me thus, " said the porter, stopping him. "Hast thou no token to show?"

"Yea, verily, " answered Humphrey, hastily taking out his pouch andproducing the prior's ring. "Take this, and bid the canon see meinstantly. "

The porter, calling an attendant, sent the ring by him. And presentlyan order came bidding Humphrey come into the presence of the canon. 

"Where is the prior's nephew?" asked the canon, with the ring in hishand. 

"In the custody of knaves who did surprise our camp. "

"Knaves, sayest thou?" said the canon. "Wherefore hast thou a camp?Wherefore lodgest thou not in towns? What doest thou wandering throughthe fens?"

"We be pursued, " answered Humphrey. 

"Pursued? and by whom? Why, who should pursue the nephew of RogerAungerville?"

"It is a king's man, and he hath with him three men-at-arms, " answeredHumphrey. 

"A king's man, sayest thou? Nay, then, I meddle not in the king'smatters. " And he made as if to hand back the ring. 

"And wilt thou not, then, aid me to rescue my young master?"

"Nay, " answered the canon. "I may not do such a thing except uponcompulsion. The dean is now absent, and I am in his place. "

Beside himself with impatience over what seemed to him needless delay, and with disappointment over what seemed to promise failure altogether, Humphrey cried out roughly: "Compulsion, sayest thou? Then, since 'tiscompulsion thou lackest, compulsion thou shalt have. " And he laid handson him. 

At this two servants came running in. "Ye see, " said the canon, turningto them. "This is the ring of my friend, Roger Aungerville, prior ofSt. Wilfrid's. It bindeth me to do all in reason for his nephew. Thisis his nephew's servant, who hath come to me to seek my aid to rescuehis young master from the clutches of a king's man and threemen-at-arms. I tell him I may not do such a thing except uponcompulsion, and he layeth hands upon me. " And he smiled upon themwhimsically. 

They understood the canon and his smile, and the first said: "If thoube compelled to aid this fellow, were it not best that I call upHerebald and Bernulf also? They be two, as thou knowest, swift of foot, and long of wind, and strong of arm; and they have two good staves, moreover. "

"Why, " said the canon, whimsically, "it were doubtless wholly evil thatI should undergo compulsion in mine own domain by a strangeserving-man, and be compelled to render aid even against the king'smen. Still, since I be compelled to render aid, it were good to renderthe best possible, and so take with ye Herebald and Bernulf; and sparenot for blows, so that ye bring off the young man safe. "

Then he handed the prior's ring to Humphrey, who returned it to itspouch with great satisfaction. "I will ne'er say aught against a fish, "he thought, "when it surmounteth a circlet of gold and doth belong to aprior. Methinks this canon liketh not the king nor his men, or he wouldnot be so easily compelled to go against them, and so all shall yet bewell with us. "

The two servants now withdrew from the canon's presence, takingHumphrey with them, and, calling up Herebald and Bernulf, all four madespeed to depart with the impatient serving-man. 

"If the mist hold, we have them, " said the first servant, as he rodebeside Humphrey. "And it be heavier now than it was two hours agone. "

"Ay, if we lose not our way, " was the response. 

"That we cannot do with Herebald and Bernulf, " was the confidentanswer. "They were born and bred in these fens. And because they dohate the king and all his men they will be swift on the track thismorn. If the king's man come not off with a broken pate, it will be awonder. And the same is like to be the fate of the three men-at-arms. "

The mist held, and, gleaming through it, as they neared the camp, theysaw the red fire. Cautiously they approached. Richard Wood and hishungry men-at-arms had been making free with the packs so liberallyprovided by Humphrey at Lincoln, and were now resting on the rushes, with Hugo in their midst. They were in no mood to journey farther inthe dimness of the mist, and Richard Wood was putting question afterquestion to Hugo in the hope of eliciting some information which mightbe valuable to him, while the men-at-arms listened. They were LeFalconer's men, and they cared nothing for the fate of De Aldithely'sson. 

"Where hideth away thy mother?" asked Richard Wood. 

"Even in the tomb, " answered Hugo, truthfully, for his mother was dead. 

For a moment Richard Wood was taken aback. "I had not heard of it, " hesaid at length. "I knew not that thy mother was dead. The king hadhoped to capture her also. But it seemeth death hath been beforehandwith him. "

And then the four servants of the canon, who had surrounded the littlegroup unseen, lifted their staves and struck as one man. Over rolledRichard Wood and his three men-at-arms, stunned and unconscious. Humphrey at once brought up Hugo's horse and Fleetfoot, and therescuers departed, leaving the four unconscious men to come tothemselves at their leisure. 

"Thou art to return to the hospitium, " said the first servant toHumphrey. "It is the canon's order. He will see this nephew of theprior's and inquire more narrowly concerning his journey. And say thounaught of this rescue to any man. We four do the canon's bidding at alltimes, but our tongues wag not of the matter. "

"When the canon is compelled, thou doest his bidding?" asked Humphrey. 

"Ay, when he is compelled. He hath those of his kin who have sufferedwrong at the king's hands. Therefore is he often compelled, as thousayest, but he sayeth naught, and so the king knoweth naught. May he belong ignorant. "

The first servant now withdrew himself from Humphrey's side, and in duetime, still under cover of the friendly mist which spread its curtainover the streets of the town, the little party regained the hospitiumunseen. As soon as their arrival was known Hugo was summoned to thepresence of the canon; and the handsome, fearless youth, as he enteredthe room where the canon awaited him, seemed to strike his host withsurprise. 

"Thou the nephew of Roger Aungerville!" he exclaimed, when they werealone. "Thou shouldst be a De Aldithely. "

"I am Hugo Aungerville, " answered the boy. And then, drawing nearer, hehalf whispered something further to the canon, who seemed to find theexplanation satisfactory. 

"Why dost thou skulk and hide in this manner through the fens?" askedthe canon. "And why art thou pursued?"

"I personate Josceline, son of Lord De Aldithely, and so draw pursuitfrom him. When I am come to Lord De Aldithely in France, then I shallmake myself known, if need be. "

"There will be no need, " said the canon, decidedly. "And now, though Iam glad to have succored the nephew of my friend, the prior, I am twiceglad to do a service to Lord De Aldithely. Thou hast my blessing. Gonow to thy rest, even though it be day. To-morrow morn I will send theeforth, if it seem best. "

CHAPTER XVI

The king and his party rode on to Clipstone Palace. The attendant towhom the spy had been consigned hastily summoned a bailiff, to whom hemade over his charge, and then galloped off to overtake the party. AndWalter Skinner, hardly understanding what had come to pass, was leftbehind in Newark. 

The king had thought to spend a week of pleasure at Clipstone, but theintelligence brought by the spy changed his plans. Of all his barons hehated Lord De Aldithely most. He would have struck at him more quicklyand forcibly but for Lord De Aldithely's great popularity, and his ownsomewhat cowardly fear. And now here was the son escaped. And suddenlythe evil temper of the king blazed forth so that his attendants, in sofar as they dared, shrank from him. 

The king waited not to reach Clipstone, but turning to two of hisattendants he said: "Go thou, De Skirlaw, and thou, De Kellaw, to DeAldithely Castle. Put spurs to your horses and tarry not. See what iscome to pass and bring me word again. "

De Skirlaw and De Kellaw galloped off; and the king, shortly aftercoming to Clipstone, entered his private apartments and excluded theparty from them. 

"There is treachery somewhere, " he said to himself, aloud, "and theguilty shall not escape me. Why, what is this Josceline but a boy offourteen? And what is his mother but a woman? And do they both bidsuccessful defiance to me, the king? I will have their castle down overtheir heads, and no counsels shall longer prevent me from doing it. Without the boy and his mother the father is sure aid to Louis. Andwhere De Aldithely goeth, there goeth victory. "

"Nay, not alway, my liege, " responded a voice. 

The king started, and turned to see one of his courtiers, more boldthan the rest, who had quietly entered the chamber. 

"I knew not of thy presence, De Kirkham, " he said. "What sayest thou?"

"I say that victory is not alway with De Aldithely since he is afugitive and his son a wanderer, and his castle in thy power. "

"True. Thou sayest true, " responded the king, after a pause. "Thou dostever bolster up my failing courage. And I will have this silly boy, ifthe madman I did put in custody spake true. Yea, I will have him, though I set half England on the chase. His father is my enemy. Andshall the son defy me? I will hale him to a dungeon, and so I tellthee, De Kirkham. "

It was not a long ride to De Aldithely castle for those who needneither skulk nor hide, and the messengers of the king were at Selbyere nightfall. Here they determined to rest and go on the next morning. They heard no news in the town; nor did they see anything until theycame to the castle itself. Birds of prey were screaming above the moatnear the postern, and there was a stillness about the place that wouldhave argued desertion if the flag had not still floated from one of thetowers. 

"I like not this stillness, " said De Skirlaw. 

"It hath a menacing air, " observed De Kellaw. 

A while the two waited in the outskirts of the wood near the clearedplace about the castle. Then said De Skirlaw, "I go forward boldly tothe bridge and summon the warder in the king's name. "

"I go with thee, " agreed De Kellaw. 

So briskly the two rode forth from the shelter of the wood and up tothe entrance, where De Skirlaw loudly wound his horn. But there was noresponse. He wound it again. And still there came no answer. 

"Seest thou no man upon the walls?" asked De Skirlaw, scanning theheights with eyes somewhat near-sighted. 

"I see no one, " responded the hawk-eyed De Kellaw. 

"Let us skirt the castle, " proposed De Skirlaw, after a short pause. 

"I am ready, " responded De Kellaw. 

Then together the two began their tour of examination. And the firstthing they noted was the dam which William Lorimer and his men hadconstructed, and which the old warder had broken before he himselfwandered forth from the castle, thus letting the water which had filledthe rear part of the moat escape. From this point they rode back towardthe entrance and, looking down into the moat, saw that it was dry. Turning again toward the postern, they noted the drawbridge there, andwondered to see it down. "The postern gate is also ajar, " observed DeKellaw. The two now drew nearer and came even to the edge of the moat. They looked in, but saw only bones and armor; for kites and eagles hadbeen at work, and nothing more remained of those who had perished therein the waters. 

"Some strange thing hath happened here, and wind of it is not yet goneabroad, " said De Skirlaw. 

"Yea, " agreed De Kellaw. "Darest thou venture across this bridge and inat the postern gate?"

"I dare, " responded De Skirlaw. Dismounting, the two secured theirhorses by stakes driven into the earth, and then, on foot, crossed thebridge. 

Inside the baileys all was deserted. The stables were empty. Nofootsteps but their own could be heard. No guard paced the walls. Nowarder kept watch. There was only silence and emptiness in the greathall, and no living creature was anywhere. 

"Here be a mystery, " said De Skirlaw. "I will not be the one to try tounravel it. Let us away to the king and say what we have seen. "

"Ay, and brave his wrath by so doing, " returned De Kellaw; "for, sincehe cannot lay hands on those that have disappointed him, he will layhands on us that bring him word of the matter. To be near to the king, if thou be not a liar or a cajoler, is to stand in a dangerous place. "

"Yea, " answered De Skirlaw, "thou art right; but we needs must return. So let us set out. "

While the king raged, Walter Skinner, left behind at Newark in chargeof the bailiff, had speedily recovered his complacency. 

"I have seen the king and spoken with him, " he thought. "True, he didlaugh right insultingly in my face, but that may be the way of kings;and even so will I laugh in the face of Richard Wood when next I seehim, for he hath no hope of preferment and seeketh only his moneyreward. Therefore is he a base cur and fit only to be laughed toscorn. "

When the scullions served him his dinner in the room where he was heldprisoner, he looked upon them haughtily, and bade them mind what theydid and how they did it. "For I shall not alway be served here by suchas ye, " he said. 

"Nay, verily, " replied the first scullion, "thou sayest true. Thou artmore like to be served in one of the dungeons, if so be thou be servedat all. "

"Why, what meanest thou by that last, sirrah?" demanded the little man, strutting up and down and frowning. 

"I did but mean that thou mayest shortly journey to that land wherethere is neither eating nor drinking, " was the reply. 

"Thou meanest that I may shortly die?" asked Walter Skinner, contemptuously. 

"Yea, " was the answer. 

"Why, so must thou. So must Richard Wood. So must the king himself, "said Walter Skinner. "But thou hast learned here so near the court tospeak Norman fashion, and go round about the matter; and so thouspeakest of journeys, and a land where there is neither eating nordrinking. Moreover, thou didst speak of dungeons. I would have theeknow that they be no fit subjects of conversation in my presence. HaveI not served the king? And shall I not therefore have preferment? Speaknot of dungeons, and the country where there is neither eating nordrinking to me. " And, seating himself, the pompous little man began toeat his dinner heartily. When he had finished, the first scullion camealone to take away the dishes. 

"Thou art a very big little fool, " he said, with a compassionateglance, "and so I bid thee prepare thyself for any fate. Thou must knowthat what thou saidst to the king did anger him. Thou didst bring himill news, and the bearer of ill news he will punish. "

Walter Skinner now showed some alarm; but he soon recovered himself. "Why, how now, sirrah?" he said. "I did not bid the young lordJosceline flee; but when he did flee I did give chase. And whereforeshould I be punished for that? Had I remained in the tree near thecastle, then indeed the king had had cause for anger. "

The scullion still looked at him pityingly. "By thine own showing, " hesaid, "thou art but the king's spy, hired by Sir Thomas De Lany, nodoubt. Spies have not preferment when their task is done, because, though the king doth take their work, he hateth them that perform it. "

And now Walter Skinner stared in bewilderment. "Thou art but ascullion, " he said at last. "And how knowest thou of Sir Thomas?"

"I am not what I seem, " replied the scullion. "Wert thou sound in thywits I would have said naught to thee, because then thou wouldst nothave been here; but I like not to see one infirm of intellect run intocalamity. "

"And dost thou say of me that I be not sound in my wits?" demandedWalter Skinner, indignantly. 

"Why, thou art either unsound of wit or a knave, " was the calmresponse. "Only fool or knave doeth dirty work for another, even thoughthat other be the king. And now, if thou wilt escape, I will help theeto it. "

"I have had great toils, " said Walter Skinner, with a manner whichwould have been ponderous in a man twice his size. "I have met ahedgehog. I have lost two horses. I have been planted in the mire likea rush. I have now come hither on a wind-broken and spring-halt horse, for which I did pay a price to a thief. And now thou sayest that forall this which I have undergone in the service of the king I shall havenot preferment but a dungeon or death. "

"Yea, " was the calm rejoinder, "I say it; for where is the young lord?Knowest thou?"

"Nay, " answered Walter Skinner, slowly. 

"That is all that the king careth for of thee. That thou hast let himescape thee is all that he will note. And thy life will, mayhap, answerfor it. All will depend on the greatness of his rage. "

The little man looked in fright at the scullion, whom even hisinexperienced eyes could now see was no scullion as he stood there indignity awaiting the decision of the prisoner. "I will go with thee, "he said, in a tremble. "But do I go on the wind-broken and spring-haltBlack Tom of Lincoln?"

"That, Black Tom of Lincoln!" cried the mysterious scullion, laughing. "Thou hast once more been made a fool of. I have many times seen BlackTom. But thou shalt not go on the beast thou camest on. I will furnishthee another, for it must seem that thou didst escape on foot. Seek nomore for the young lord. Flee into hiding and remain there. Dost thoupromise me so to do?"

"Yea, " was the prompt answer. "I promise. "

He in the disguise of the scullion smiled, and bidding Walter Skinnerfollow him, led the way by secret passages until they came out unseeninto a small court, where stood a horse ready saddled and bridled. Thelittle man's guide bade him mount, and, opening a small door in thewall, motioned him to ride through it and away. 

"My liege, the king, " he said, as he watched the spy making all speedon his way, "thou wilt learn nothing of the flight of Josceline DeAldithely from thy late prisoner. And may confusion wait on all thyplans. "

Walter Skinner had been gone over night, and the second day of hisflight was well begun when the king, impatient over the slowness of DeSkirlaw and De Kellaw, sent from Clipstone to Newark to have the spybrought before him. In haste the bailiff went to the room where he hadplaced him, and no prisoner was there. No prisoner was anywhere in thecastle or in the town, as the frightened officer discovered after adiligent search. Only the afflicted horse upon which he had arrivedremained in one of the stables. And with this word the unfortunateofficer hastened on his way to the king. Near the gate, as he went outof Newark, he met one of the courtiers who bore a strong resemblance tohim who had, in the guise of a scullion, set Walter Skinner at liberty. "Thou art frightened, worthy bailiff, " he said. "But do thou only put abrave front on it and all may yet go well. Be careful to say and everrepeat that the man was mad, and not only mad, but cunning, and so hathmade off, leaving his horse behind him. "

The bailiff responded with a grateful look. "Thou art ever kind, mylord, " he said. "And mayhap the man is dead. If he knew not the way, hemay be dead, or caught by robbers. I will say that he may be dead also, and I hope he may be. "

CHAPTER XVII

On the morning when Hugo and Humphrey were to start, the canon summonedthem to his presence, and his face was grave. "I have but now learned, "he said, "that the king is at Clipstone Palace. When the knaves thoudidst leave stunned in the fen discover it also, they will at oncerepair thither, and that maketh a new complication of troubles. Let usconsult together. I include the serving-man because he is such avaliant compeller. " And the canon, forgetting his gravity, laughedheartily. And again he laughed. Then he grew grave again. "Pardon me, "he said to Hugo; "but one may laugh so seldom in these troublous times. And erstwhile I was fond of laughing, and glad to have a merry heart. Now merry hearts be few in England, for they who have not alreadygrief, have anxiety and dread for their portion. " He paused and thenwent on: "The same hand that did send me news of the king'sneighborhood did add something more thereto. A fierce littleswaggering, strutting man did come upon the king at Newark and did tellhim that Josceline, meaning thee, had fled, and that he had beenpursuing thee. Didst thou know of it?"

"Yea, " replied Hugo, with a smile. Then turning to the serving-man hesaid, "Humphrey, since the canon loveth to be merry, tell thou him ofthe hedgehog and the Isle of Axholme. "

Humphrey did as he was requested, and was amply rewarded by theappreciation of his listener. "I see thou art worth a troop, my goodHumphrey, " he said, when the serving-man had finished. "Lady DeAldithely did well to trust thee with this lad. But now to my news oncemore. The king, in his wrath, will scour the country roundabout, andthou mayest not escape from him as thou didst from thine otherpursuers. What dost thou elect to do?" And he looked at Hugo. 

Hugo considered, and as he considered he grew pale. "I know not, " hesaid at last. "It seemeth not safe to move. "

"True, " returned the canon. "Nor is it safe to remain here. The kingrespecteth no religious foundation. And when these stunned knaves inthe fen make report to him, it will be known that thou wert seen closeto Peterborough, and not an inch of the town will be left unsearched. Iwould my friend at Newark--but nay, I must not speak of that. "

There was a brief silence, and Humphrey's was the most anxious face inthe room. Not for himself did he feel anxiety, but for Hugo. If thecanon hardly knew what to do, how could he hope to succeed inprotecting the lad?

The canon was the first to speak. "If it can be done, " he said, "theknaves in the fen must be kept from the king. I will have in to ourconference Herebald and Bernulf. " And rising, he summoned them. 

They came in very promptly, and stood with cheerful faces before theirmaster. "I know thee, Herebald; I know thee, Bernulf, " said the canon, shaking his head at them in pretended reproof. "Ye be sad knaves both. What! would ye leave the monastery and go forth into the fen on poniesand armed with your staves? And would ye seek out once more the knavesye did stun, and try to lead them astray, even down into the Broads?And all to keep them from the king?"

The two servants grinned. 

"And would ye make believe to be on the trail of Hugo and Humphreyhere? And would ye lead them far from the trail? I see that ye would, knaves that ye are. I have discovered ye. And there is no restrainingye when once ye have set your minds upon a thing. Therefore get ye goneto the fen. No man can say that I did send ye thither. And here becoins for ye both, which, no doubt, ye will deserve later, if not now. "

The two joyfully withdrew and shortly afterward were in the streets ofthe town jogging slowly along as if bent on a most unwelcome journey. "See the Saxon sluggards!" commented a bystander. "Naught do they dobut eat, unless compelled. "

But once outside the town, the ponies were put to a good pace as thetwo hastened eagerly into the fen to trace, if they might, Richard Woodand his men-at-arms. The camp where they had come up with them beforewas deserted, and Herebald and Bernulf now had for their task thediscovery of the direction the party had taken. Had they not beenfen-men they might not have succeeded. But by night they felt that theywere really on their trail. They had passed Peterborough and continuedon to the south, evidently going slowly, as became broken heads; andHerebald and Bernulf came up with them by the side of Whittlesea Mereearly on the following day. As they came into view Richard Woodevidently regarded the two Saxons with suspicion; but the men-at-armslooked at them with nothing but indifference. 

Herebald and Bernulf appeared not to notice; but, withdrawing to alittle distance, seemed to confer together and examine narrowly theleaves and twigs and rushes to see if they were bent or broken by thepassage of a recent traveller. As they went earnestly about on allsides of the camp at the Mere, and keeping ever in sight of it, thecuriosity of Richard Wood overcame his suspicion, and he beckoned themto approach. His summons they at first seemed inclined to disregard, but, as he continued beckoning, they at last went toward him withapparent reluctance. 

[Illustration: Richard Wood Beckoned the Saxons to Approach]

"What seek ye?" demanded Richard Wood. 

The two Saxons kept silence, but exchanged a crafty look, as if to saythat they were not to be caught so easily. 

"What seek ye?" repeated the spy. 

"Hast thou seen aught of two runaways?" asked Herebald, gruffly. "Evena young lord who hath to his serving-man a Saxon?"

Then Richard Wood himself looked crafty. He did not like finding otherpursuers so near him who might claim part of the reward, at least, whenthe search was successfully ended. But reflection came to his aid andtold him that these Saxons were ignorant hinds who might be made usefulon the search, and afterward cheated of their share of the reward. Sohe said, "Ye be fen-men, I know, or ye would not look so narrowly for atrail nor would ye find it. Which way do ye go?" And he looked at themkeenly. 

"Through the Broads toward Yarmouth, " answered Herebald, slowly, aftera short pause, and speaking in a surly tone. 

"And wherefore?" demanded Richard Wood. 

"There is shipping to be got to France from thence, is there not?"

"Yea, verily, " cried Richard Wood. "It had not before entered my mind. Thinkest thou they have gone thither?"

Herebald frowned. "Thou art too ready with thy questions, " he growled. "But this I will say, we go thither. "

"Then we go with thee, " said Richard Wood, firmly. "The way is open tous as well as to thee, and thou mayest not gainsay it. "

"Oh, ay, " returned Herebald, indifferently. 

All that day Richard Wood kept a sharp eye on his new acquaintances. "Watch them narrowly, " he said to his men. "They will seek to make thiscatch without us and so obtain the reward. Therefore all that ye seethem do, do ye likewise, and I will also do the same. "

Herebald and Bernulf saw and understood, and laughed together unseen. "They have not good wit, or they would not be so led by us when we bestrangers, " observed Herebald. 

"It is ever thus with knaves, " said Bernulf. "Though they seem sharp, there is a place where they be dull, and an honest man can often findit, and so outwit them. "

Then they turned back to Richard Wood and his companions. "Go ye slowlyand softly, " growled Herebald. "Ye go lunging and splashing so that yemay be heard a long way off. Moreover, ye have scared up all thewater-fowl hereabouts, and they go screaming over our heads. What thinkye? If there be travellers near will they not hide close in the reedstill ye and your noise be past?"

At this rebuke Richard Wood drew rein suddenly and gazed sharply abouthim on all sides. Then he said, "Your caution shall be obeyed. " And hegave the command to his followers to be careful. 

Herebald now returned to the side of Bernulf, and the two, gazing withmirthful eyes into each other's faces, separated themselves a littledistance and pretended to examine the way narrowly. It was not fornothing that they had served the merry Canon Thurstan for seven years. 

That night, when all the camp was still, Bernulf slipped quietly forthin the darkness. He was gone three hours, and in that time he blazedsuch a trail as a madman might have taken. A bit of every fringe ofrush or reed he came to he broke; and he stamped with his foot in theslimy mud on the edges of ponds and pools. "These fools, " said he, "know naught of the fens or the Broads, and they will believe all thatthey see; for the broken bits and the footprints will speak to them ofthe young lord and his serving-man, and they will listen and hasten on. It is easy to lead a fool a chase. "

The next morning Richard Wood was early awake, and, while all the restwere apparently asleep, he, in his turn, stole forth to look about him. "I trust not these knave Saxons entirely, " he said to himself. "Thoughwe all ride together now, they will seek to outwit us at the end, andgain the reward for themselves. "

He had not gone far when he came upon the evidences of a recent passagealong that way, and, in great excitement, he returned to the camp androused up his followers, and, incidentally, the two Saxons. "Lie nothere sleeping, " he said, "when we be close on the trail. Let us be offspeedily!" His men rose eagerly, and the Saxons also seemed to bestirred up at his words. And very soon, after half a breakfast, theyall mounted and rode off, Richard Wood keeping in the advance. Soon hestruck the trail blazed the night before by Bernulf, and eagerly hefollowed it, though he was obliged to do so slowly; for the trail wenton ahead for three miles, then doubled, then zigzagged, then wentstraight east three miles, and bent round till it went due west again. 

"The young lord is lost, " declared Richard Wood, positively, "elsewould he never ride such a crazy track as this. "

At last, when it was too late to travel further that day, the trackturned eastward again, and the party went into camp for the night aboutone mile from where they had camped the night before. But to RichardWood it seemed that they must be at least ten miles advanced on theirway, for, to him, all the marsh looked the same. 

"Did I not do well, Herebald?" asked Bernulf. "Here have we kept thembusy in the marsh for a whole day, and that giveth the lad with thecanon so much the better a start. "

"Yea, " said Herebald. "To-night rest thou, and I will start the trailfor them to-morrow. "

Accordingly, as soon as the weary Richard Wood and his men had sunkinto a heavy sleep, which they did almost as soon as they lay down, Herebald set out. He was extremely swift of foot and knew the regionwell. He was gone four hours. "The knave king's man and his followerswill sleep soundly to-morrow night also if they follow my trail, " hesaid, when he had returned and lay down. 

The next morning a late awakening of the men gave a late start. Theenthusiasm of the day before was gone; but it came back when RichardWood, riding in advance, struck the trail once more. This was moredifficult to follow than the one of the day before. It led throughplaces where the party almost mired, but not quite; through placeswhere the horses splashed heavily along, scaring the water-fowl up inall directions; through patches of reeds; through tangles of toughgrass; through shallow water; through deep water; and ever on with fewseeming deviations. But the course was much slower than that of the daybefore, and that had been slow enough. 

Night came and the fagged party in disappointment once more lay down. 

"Thou hast done well, Herebald, " said Bernulf. "To-night it is my turn. But think ye not it were better now to lead straight on to Yarmouth?"

"Yea, " answered Herebald. 

"It seemeth to me that it were best to put them there to search thetown. What thinkest thou?"

"Even as thou thinkest, " returned Herebald, grinning. 

"And then, " continued Bernulf, "methinks it would be seemly to enticethem aboard a fishing-vessel and ship them off for France, and so berid of them. "

"Yea, " agreed Herebald. "I would all the knaves in England were shippedoff to France, and it were a good beginning to ship these four. "

Another morning dawned, and slowly and heavily the men arose. Suchweary days followed by nights spent in the marsh had sapped theirenergy. For the first time the men-at-arms looked sullen, and one wentto Richard Wood and spoke for all. "We be neither fish nor water-fowl, "he said, "to spend our days in the marsh. We go this one day more withthee; then, if we come not out of the marsh and into the town ofYarmouth, we leave thee and return to our master. "

The heavy-eyed Richard Wood counselled patience. "Would ye have theseSaxon knaves get the better of us just when the quarry is all but runto earth? They be not so weary as we, and a plague upon theirendurance. If ye stand not by me, the game is lost. "

But the man-at-arms answered sullenly: "I have said. Lead us out ofthis vile marsh. "

CHAPTER XVIII

"And now, " said the canon, when Herebald and Bernulf had gone, "thoumayest remain no longer here. It is too near the king, and moreover, delay taketh thee not forward toward France. Since thou knowest notwhat to do, Hugo, I will plan for thee. And first, thou must leave herewith me thy dog, Fleetfoot. "

Hugo opened his mouth to object, seeing which the canon at oncecontinued, "Nay, do not speak. It must be done. Thee I can disguise andthy man Humphrey I can disguise, but what disguise availeth for thydog? To take Fleetfoot is to endanger thy life unnecessarily. Shouldstthou take him, even if thou didst win safely through, which is a verydoubtful thing, thou wouldst find him but an unwelcome encumbrance toLord De Aldithely. Leave the dog, therefore, with me, and I will carefor him. "

Hugo reflected. Then he looked up into the canon's face, and he sawthat, though he might have a merry heart, he had also a determinedwill. He yielded, therefore, and consented to leave Fleetfoot behind. At this decision the canon smiled well satisfied, and Humphrey's facealso showed the relief he felt at being rid of the dog's company. 

"And next, " continued the canon, "I counsel thee to go no more throughthe fens, for there will they seek for thee. Thou hast gone skulkingand hiding so far on thy course, and they that pursue thee will be toodull to think that thou mayest change. The time is come for thee toproceed boldly and on the highway. I will send thee first to Oundle, which lieth southwest from hence, and with a token I will procure theesafe lodging there. From thence I can do no more for thee till thoucome to St. Albans, twenty miles away from London. But from Oundle thoumust take thy course still southwest till thou come to the WatlingStreet. Then follow that southeast down to St. Albans. And in thisjaunt Humphrey must lead, and thou must follow; for I shall make ofHumphrey a priest, and of thee a novice. "

He ceased, and there was no reply to what he had said. Both Hugo andHumphrey would have preferred to ride clad as they were, and to choosetheir own route and stopping-places. But they were sensible of how muchthey already owed the canon, and dangers were now so thick about themthat they feared to refuse to do as he bade them. Therefore theypermitted themselves to be properly robed, and took meekly theinstructions he gave them as to their speech and manner of behaviour. 

"This I do not for thee only, but for my friend, Roger Aungerville, andfor the brave Lord De Aldithely, " he said in parting from them. "Forgetnot to call me to their minds when thou dost meet them, and say that Ibe ever ready to serve them as best I may. "

Hugo promised, and thanked the canon on the part of himself andHumphrey for the cheer and aid they had received at his hands; and, with a heavy heart, rode away behind the serving-man, who was nowturned into a priest. He thought not on the dangers of the way, but onFleetfoot, left at Peterborough. 

"Fret not, dear lad, " said Humphrey. "In the king's dungeon there wouldbe no room for Fleetfoot, and mayhap he would be put to death. Now ishe in good hands, even in the merry-hearted canon's hands, and no evilwill befall him. He hath such a care to please thine uncle and my lordthat he will look well to thy dog. "

By nightfall the two were safely lodged at Oundle. 

"Ye be safe, " said the priest of the parish when he had received them. "Here will no man seek for ye this night, and, on the morrow, ye shallspeed away. I may not suffer ye to tarry longer. "

Meanwhile the unlucky bailiff had proceeded to Clipstone with the newsthat Walter Skinner was fled, and no man knew what had become of him. He had just delivered it and the king was still in his rage when DeSkirlaw and De Kellaw arrived. "Admit them, " he gave order. "I willhear what hath come to pass there. Mayhap the castle hath stolen away, even as this prisoner hath done. "

As De Skirlaw and De Kellaw entered, the king, scanning their faces, read that they bore him no welcome news, and his rage broke out afresh. "What land is this that I be king of?" he exclaimed. "A land of rebelsand disobedience. A land of dull skies and duller fortunes. What saw yethat ye come before me with glum faces and serious looks? Speak, if yecan. Is the castle gone?"

"Nay, Your Majesty, " said De Skirlaw. "The castle we found, but--"

"Ye mean that the prisoner spake true, " burst out the king, "and thatthe young lord is escaped?"

"Yea, " answered De Skirlaw. "No human being inhabiteth the castle. Andin the moat at the rear kites and eagles have fed. "

"What mean ye? What hath chanced there?"

"Your Majesty, no man knoweth, " was the answer. 

"But there be only bones and armor in the dry moat, and no living thingin the castle. "

For a little the king stared straight before him. Then he said, "Bringthe rascal bailiff before me. "

With haste the unhappy officer was brought. 

"Wretch!" broke out the king. "Go find me the prisoner that thou hastlet escape thee. If thou find him not, thy life shall answer for it. "In great fear the bailiff retired from the royal presence, and the kingwent on as if to himself: "Mayhap he knew what hath chanced. Mayhap heknoweth now the whereabouts of the young lord. "

As the bailiff reentered Newark he met again the courtier by the gate. "What news, worthy bailiff?" he asked. 

"Why, this, " answered the bailiff, in despair. "The prisoner must befound or my life is forfeit. And I know not where to look. "

The courtier kept silence for a few moments. "The prisoner must not befound, " he thought, "or mayhap the young lord, Josceline De Aldithely, will be undone; and for the friendship I do bear his father, this maynot be. But neither must the worthy bailiff die. " Then he spoke. 

"Worthy bailiff, " he said, "what is done cannot be undone. The prisoneris gone, no man knoweth whither. Thy only hope is in flight. And tothat, seeing thou art a worthy man, I will help thee. Go thouapparently to seek for the prisoner, but flee for thy life, and tell menot where. Thou knowest a place of safety, I warrant thee. "

"Yea, " replied the bailiff, after a little thought, "I know. "

"Proceed, then, with thine helpers to the search for the prisoner;contrive shortly to give them the slip, and thou art saved. I will dowhat I can in baffling pursuit of thee. For this our king is, as thouknowest, a tyrant who, though he greatly feareth death for himself, doth not hesitate to measure it out to us his subjects. Therefore arewe bound to help each other. When thou canst protect another, do so;and so farewell. " Speaking in these general terms he not only gainedfrom the bailiff a belief in his own benevolence, but effectuallyconcealed from him the real reason of his helping him, which was toprotect, so far as possible, the young Josceline De Aldithely. 

"It is well for a lad when his father hath many friends, " mused thecourtier. "For then, even the malice and hatred of the king may befoiled. I will now away to Clipstone and see what passeth there. " And, summoning two attendants, he set out. 

Upon arriving, he found but a gloomy air about the place. The king'srage was not yet spent and no man knew upon whom he would take occasionto visit his displeasure. But the courtier who, in the guise of ascullion, had himself set the prisoner free, moved calmly about, andalone of all seemed to feel no anxiety. Toward nightfall the word waswhispered about that, on the morrow, the king would himself proceedwith a party to De Aldithely castle. 

The morrow came and at an early hour there was everywhere bustle andconfusion, for all that the royal party would need for their briefabsence from Clipstone must be taken with them: food, dishes, bedding, and servants. 

At length all was ready and the train set out. It was a gloomy ride, for the king's temper was not yet recovered and no man ventured to sayaught in his presence. 

Leaving the baggage and servants far in the rear, the impatient kingwith his attendants rode on and on until they came to Cawood castlebeyond Selby and but a few miles distant from De Aldithely castle. Herethe king stopped for the night, and the servants and baggage not havingyet come up, his temper was not improved by the lack of their service. It was a great castle to which he had come, being one of the largestand strongest in the north of England. 

"And Cawood shall have no more for a neighbor the castle of DeAldithely, " said the king the next morning, when, after a somewhatuncomfortable night owing to the late arrival of the servants, he rodeforth from its gate on his way to the home of the great and popularbaron. 

Artisans from Selby who had been sent by the king's order, were alreadyon their way thither also. And these having risen very early and madegood speed, John found already arrived when he himself appeared. But noone had ventured to set foot within the walls without the royal word. 

As John drew near, he looked upon the castle in scowling silence. Stillin silence he rode to the edge of the moat and looked down. And therehe saw the armor and the bones as De Skirlaw had said. An attendant nowspoke to him, and he nodded his head in assent. At once three of theartisans were hurried across the postern bridge and through the gatewith instructions to hasten to the front entrance and let down thebridge and open the great gate for the king. 

[Illustration: He rode to the edge of the moat and looked down]

Still speaking no word the monarch rode to the great gate, crossed thebridge, and entered, and once within the outer bailey, looked abouthim. He rode into the inner bailey, and, dismounting, began a personalexamination of the castle; and as he proceeded his frown grew blackerand blacker, for everywhere he saw evidences of premeditated anddeliberate flight. The treasure chests were empty, and everything ofvalue removed. 

At last he spoke. "What hath chanced here I know not, " he said. "Butthis I know, these traitor walls shall stand no longer. Bid theartisans in to begin their destruction. " Then turning to De Skirlaw headded: "Go thou to the moat and examine the armor. See, if thou canst, to what troop it belongeth. "

But before De Skirlaw could execute this commission there appeared uponthe scene two men-at-arms from Hubert le Falconer, in search of certainof their companions, and they were at once brought before the king. Tohim they related how, for a certain sum, a certain knight in theservice of the king had hired them to assist him in entering thecastle, through the treachery of one Robert Sadler, and in carrying offthe young lord, Josceline De Aldithely, to the direct custody of theking. 

"And this knight was--" interrupted John. 

"Sir Thomas De Lany, " said the man-at-arms. 

"Came thy companions to the castle here?" demanded the king. 

"Yea, Your Majesty, some ten days now agone. My master having need ofthem hath sent us to call them to him again. "

"It is a call they will not answer, " said John. "Nor will the braveknight, Sir Thomas De Lany, answer to my call. De Kirkham, take thesemen-at-arms to view the moat by the postern. Now know we who sleepthere. Could we but know the whereabouts of the wife of this traitor, De Aldithely, and the whereabouts of his son, we were better satisfied. And now depart we from this place. Raze the walls. Let not one stoneremain upon another. 

"And thou, De Skirlaw, and thou, De Kellaw, haste ye both to Newark andsee if the rascal bailiff hath yet found the prisoner. He can speak ifhe will, and he must be found. "

With feigned zeal the two set out, but, once beyond the view of theking, their fiery pace lagged to a slow one as they rode toward Selby, where they were determined to halt for a night's rest. "I care not ifthe prisoner be not found, " said De Kellaw. "I be tired of thistyranny; this imprisoning and slaying of children taken as hostagesfrom their fathers; this razing of castles. John will not be kingforever, and it behooveth us not to make ourselves odious to all men byhelping him to his desires too much. I haste not on this enterprise, and so I tell thee. "

"Nor I neither, " declared De Skirlaw. 

The king now set out on his return to Cawood, from whence, on themorrow, he would go on to Clipstone again. 

"Yea, and I will go even to Newark, " he said to himself as he rodealong. "I will be at hand to put heart into this search, which seemethto lag. But have the prisoner I will; and when I have found him, I willopen his mouth for him to some purpose. "

CHAPTER XIX

To the great joy of Richard Wood, the way seemed to lead across thewide, flat, marshy country straight in the direction of Yarmouth. "Ifthe young lord and his serving-man be as weary of the marsh as I and mycompanions be, " he said, "they have gone directly out of it toYarmouth, and there shall we catch them. "

But though the way seemed not to deviate in direction, that of the daybefore was easy in comparison with it. 

"Were I but journeying through this vile stretch of country I couldpick a better course, " grumbled Richard Wood as he went forward. "Butbeing on chase of these two, I must even be content to follow. Beholdme now when the day is but half gone, slopped with water and besplashedwith mud till no man may know the color of my garments. It must be thatthe young lord hath small wit to take such a course. Or mayhap helooketh more behind him than before as he rideth, fearing pursuit. "

And now they were come to the Yare; and it seemed that they would beobliged to swim across it. "Never swam I in my life, " declared RichardWood, "and I will not now begin. "

"Canst thou not swim on thy horse's back?" demanded one of themen-at-arms, impatiently. 

"Ay; but how if the beast goeth down in the stream?" said Richard Wood. "I tell thee, I fear water. "

Then came one of the Saxons to the rescue. "Near here dwelleth a fen-man, "he said, "and he hath a boat. I will e'en call him to take theeover, and thou canst let thy horse swim. "

Upon hearing this all three of the weary men-at-arms clamored forplaces in the boat which Herebald, after a conference with Bernulf, promised them. 

"Hearest thou not, Herebald, " said Bernulf, "that the king's manfeareth the water? We must put him and his men across softly andbolster up their valor, else shall we fail to entice them aboard thefishing-vessel, and so fail to ship them off to France; and thusEngland is so much the worse off by having still here the vile knaves. "

"Yea, Bernulf, thou art right, " was the answer. "And surely we have ledthem through toils enough, for they be weary to fainting. This it isfor a vile spy to go round the country with some lumbering men-at-arms, seeking to entrap a poor young lad to his destruction. "

"Yea, " replied Bernulf; "but thou hast left out one thing. Thoushouldst have said, 'This it is when two Saxons get him and them in thetoils. ' They had not been one-half so weary without us. Do but rememberthat. "

"Ay, " agreed Herebald. "I do think we have some blame for their achingbones; but they can rest when they be tossing on that good old NorthSea, for I promise them it will take more than a load of herring tohold the ship steady. "

All this time Richard Wood and his men were impatiently waiting. "Whytarry ye so long?" called the spy in a loud voice, as he looked intheir direction. 

"We did but talk of what 'twere best to do and a few other matters, "replied Herebald, advancing. "And we think we may promise places to yeall in the boat. Run, Bernulf; make speed and bring the man and hisboat. "

Away went Bernulf, leaping lightly across a pool here, picking his wayskilfully over long grass and among reeds there, to the amazement ofRichard Wood, who watched. "I would my horse had but the nimbleness andspeed of the knave's legs, " he said. "But our toils be almost over, andso I complain not. I make no doubt we lay hold of the young lord andthe serving-man in Yarmouth. "

At this Herebald looked sceptical. 

"What meanest thou by that look?" asked Richard Wood. 

"Why, nothing, " returned Herebald. "Only I did call to mind that therebe many fishing-vessels in the harbor. "

"And what hath that to do with it?" asked Richard Wood. 

"And through the North Sea one may go to France. "

"Why, thou didst say that long ago when we were toiling through themarsh. Thinkest thou I shall forget to search the ships when I havesearched the town? I forget not so easily, I promise thee. "

The fen-man seemed not to be readily persuaded to bring his boat, foran hour elapsed before he was seen rowing toward them with Bernulflolling lazily in the stern. 

At last he reached the little party, and Richard Wood and his men weresafely embarked. Then the two Saxons, mounting their ponies, directedthem into the stream, and they were off, the fen-man glancing curiouslyevery now and then at his passengers. He made no remarks, however, butmanaged his boat so skilfully that Richard Wood hardly realized that hewas on the water, and, in due time, found himself set ashore with hismen on the other side. 

"And yonder be Yarmouth, " said Herebald, cheerfully. "We come to itsurely by set of sun. "

There was no more marks of passage before them, and Richard Wood, picking his own path, travelled more easily than he had before, and hadalso to help him an enlarged appreciation of his own powers, to whichhe speedily added a large increase of hope that now the end of histroubles had come. He therefore went forward with renewed animation, and when, at set of sun, he stopped before a little Yarmouth inn, hewas well satisfied with himself. 

"Do ye also lodge here?" he asked the Saxons. 

Herebald affected to be uncertain. 

"Surely it were better that ye do so, " urged Richard Wood, "that we maysearch the town and the ships together on the morrow. "

"Nay, " put in Bernulf. "We lodge not here. I do know a cheaper place;and we be not Normans that we have money to waste. "

Richard Wood frowned. "Speak not against the Normans, " he said. "Theking is a Norman. "

"Oh, ay, " answered Bernulf, indifferently. And then he added withdetermination in his tone, "We lodge not here. "

Herebald now drew Richard Wood aside. 

"Heed him not, " he said, "lest he turn surly on our hands and get usinto trouble. I will go with him elsewhere to lodge, and to-morrow mornwill I bring him back to help thee on thy search. "

"Thou art not so sad a knave as he, " returned Richard Wood, "and Ithank thee. See that ye both come, and that right early. "

Herebald reiterated his promise to do so, and then went away withBernulf, while Richard Wood followed his men into the bar, where theywere already drinking. 

"What meanest thou, Bernulf? Why wouldst thou not lodge here?" askedHerebald as they rode along. 

"Why, this, Herebald, " was the answer. "We have much to do ere we go torest. We must find the ship that is loaded and ready to weigh anchorto-morrow toward noon when the wind and tide will serve. And we mustbespeak the help of the captain to get these knaves aboard. "

"True, Bernulf, " responded Herebald. "Thou hast a wit that would matchwith the canon's. "

"Yea, I be not so dull as some Normans, though I be counted but aslow-witted Saxon, " returned Bernulf, with complacency. "And now let usfirst to our supper and the putting away of the ponies, and then do wetake boat and visit the ships. "

They found an inn suited to their tastes in one of the Rows, and beforethe dark had really come down over the harbor they were out on a tourof the ships. The tour, however, was destined to be a short one, sincethe second ship they visited proved to have among her sailors two menthat they knew. And, moreover, they discovered the captain to be oneEric, whose mother was cousin to Bernulf's father. 

"Here have we luck, " said Bernulf. "To Eric may I speak freely. "

"Yea, verily, " answered Herebald. "And she is loaded with herring alsoand saileth on the morrow toward noon. Go, then, and speak freely, asthou sayest. "

Bernulf did so; and the Captain Eric entered heartily into his plans asBernulf laid them before him. "The loons!" he exclaimed with a heartylaugh, as he heard of the journey through the fens. "The witless geese!And thou hast not once told them that the young lord and his serving-mancame in this direction?"

"Nay, not once. We did but break branches, and make tracks on the edgesof the pools, and ruffle the long grass, and they did read forthemselves that those they sought were just ahead of them. We have hopethat the young lord be, by this time, well and safely sped on hisjourney. "

"Ay, and by to-morrow at this time will his pursuers be upon theirjourney, " said Eric. "I am to refuse to let them come aboard, sayestthou, until they demand permission in the king's name? And then themoment they be down the companionway I am to hoist the anchor and beoff?"

"Yea, " answered Bernulf, "that is it. "

"So be it, " returned Eric. "And it is a small thing to do for a kinsmanalso moreover. "

"And now go we ashore, " said Bernulf. "To-morrow morn we aid the king'sspy to search the town. He will have a merry run up and down the Rows, he and his men. " And, with a hearty farewell to the skipper, Herebaldand Bernulf climbed down the side of the vessel to their little boatgently rocking alongside. 

"The business in hand hath an early end when luck goeth with a man, "observed Bernulf, with satisfaction. 

"Yea, " responded Herebald. "And luck most often goeth with the man thathath good wit of his own. "

Their strong arms made light of the short distance they had to row, andthey were soon back at the little inn and at rest. 

As for Richard Wood, weary as he was, he was long in finding sleep. Forever he would be wondering in which part of the little town it werebest to begin the search. And how it were best to conduct it so that nooutsider could manage to claim part of the reward when the runawayswere captured. At last, undecided, he fell asleep, and Herebald andBernulf were awaiting him when he awoke rather late in the morning. Inhaste he and his men ate their breakfast, and in still greater hastethey set off on the search, only to be brought to a standstill beforeit was well begun; for there fronting the sea were one hundred andforty-five little narrow streets called the Rows, and their combinedlength made a distance of seven miles. 

"This be a foolish way to build a town, " grumbled Richard Wood, "andnone but Saxons would have done it. Why, here be a street only two feetwide at one end of it. And up and down one hundred and forty-fivestreets we must chase, to say nothing of looking in the better parts ofthe town. "

"Thou hast well said, " observed Herebald, gravely. "It is not an easything, this search. But where dost thou begin? And how wilt thou goabout it?"

"Why, why, " stammered Richard Wood, "I did never search a town before, and that is but the truth. "

"Were it not best to proceed boldly?" asked Herebald, slyly. 

"Boldly, sayest thou? And what meanest thou by boldly?"

"Why, by boldly, I mean boldly. Surely thou knowest what boldly is?Walk into the house with a 'by your leave, ' which is, after all, noleave, since it is done without leave; there look through all, and thenout and away again into the next house, or the next but one, as itpleaseth thee. "

Richard Wood looked at him in displeasure. "It is easy to see thou artbut a Saxon churl, " he said. "And moreover, where is thy sense of time?This day were gone; ay, and the next before we had entered every housein one hundred and forty-five little streets. "

"Ay, thou art right. Perchance it were better not to take so much time, for there be the ships, and some of them do sail to-day. "

"To-day!" exclaimed Richard Wood, in alarm. "And when?"

"Toward noon, " was the reply; "for then wind and tide will serve. "

A look of resolution came over the face of Richard Wood. He turned tohis men-at-arms. 

"Take each of thee a street, " he said, "and I will take another. Searchas well and thoroughly as ye can for one hour, and then come to thispoint to go with me to the ships. We have had many toils to catch them. They must not escape us now. "

"And what do we?" asked Herebald. 

Now Richard Wood was quite determined that the Saxons should not sharein the reward, so he answered: "Stand ye here, and watch all who pass. Let none escape ye. "

"That were an easy task, " growled Bernulf. "But why may we not alsotake each man his street, and knock and 'by-your-leave' with the restof ye? It is because we be Saxons that ye put this slight upon us. " Andhe affected to be greatly displeased. 

"Peace, man!" said Richard Wood, more pacifically. "It is true ye beSaxons, but that is by the will of heaven. And ye be in nowise to blametherefor. So should ye bear with patience the lot of Saxons. "

"Which is to wait on Normans, as ye would say, " retorted Bernulf, scornfully. "But we bide here, as thou hast said. "

"The hinds be jealous, " said Richard Wood, as he hastened up the littlestreet he had chosen, looking narrowly about him for the house, in hisjudgment, most likely to be the hiding-place of the runaways. Abouthalf-way up the street he espied it, but when, in the king's name, heentered, he found nothing to reward him for his pains. Wherever hestopped he fared no better, and he was fain to believe, at last, theasseverations of the inhabitants that there were not only no runawaysin that street, but that none were to be found in all Yarmouth, --a townwhich, according to them, was a most proper place, where those whocould not give a good account of themselves never ventured. Unless, indeed, it might be a few Frenchmen now and then, and, as they told himwith much garrulity, every Englishman knew what to expect from theFrench. And then they asked him if those he sought were French. Andwhen he said that they were not, they began at the beginning and wentall over the subject again, telling him what a discreet and properplace Yarmouth was, and how none such as he was seeking ever venturedthere, until he was like to go distracted, and had not completed thesearch of even that one little Row when the hour was up, and hehastened to the place appointed to meet his men-at-arms. He found thathis experience had been theirs, and, in his disappointment and disgust, he said some harsh things about Yarmouth tongues, which he estimated asentirely too nimble. 

The two Saxons heard his comments with covert smiles, and followedalong toward the ships. 

That morning the ship of Eric had slightly changed her position, andBernulf so managed that, when the small row-boat he was bidden to hirewas about to put off from land, Eric's ship would naturally be thefirst one boarded. 

"Do we go with thee?" asked Herebald. 

"Nay, " answered Richard Wood. "Here be two men who will row for us. Doye stay where ye be and watch. "

Then they all climbed into the small row-boat and were pulled awaytoward Eric's ship. 

"Ay, we will watch, " said Herebald to Bernulf. 

A little later the boat went alongside, and the spy and his men-at-armsclimbed heavily and clumsily aboard, after a brief parley with skipperEric, in which he had at first refused them permission to do so. 

"They be here!" exulted Richard Wood in his thought, "else why shouldwe be forbidden to come aboard?"

"What seek ye?" demanded the skipper, in a gruff tone when they weresafely on deck. 

"Two runaways, " answered Richard Wood, loudly, for already the anchorwas being lifted. 

"There be no runaways here, " returned the skipper, positively. 

"We will see, we will see, " returned Richard Wood. And laying firm holdof the rail he lunged down the steep companionway, followed by hismen-at-arms and one of the seamen, whom the captain by a nod of his headbade to follow them. Once down, they gazed about them and knew notwhich way to turn. 

"Where is the captain?" said Richard Wood, sternly. "Bid him come downand show us all parts of the ship at once. "

"Skipper may not come. He is busy, " answered the seaman. "But I canshow thee. Thou wilt see all?"

"Yea, all. "

Then the seaman very obligingly began to do as he was bid. There wasvery little to see in the close quarters; but he, being loquacious, wasa long time in showing it, and more than half an hour had elapsedbefore Richard Wood was thoroughly persuaded that there was nobodysecreted on board. And all this time, in his eagerness, he had notnoticed that the ship was moving. He now turned to the companionway. 

"What motion is this?" he asked, turning pale. "Hath the ship goneadrift from her moorings?"

"Nay, " answered the seaman; "the ship is not gone adrift. "

Laying fast hold on the rail, the spy managed to climb up to the deck. He looked about him, but no row-boat was alongside. He then turned tothe skipper. 

"Surely we be gone adrift from our moorings, " he said. 

"Nay, " answered the skipper, calmly. "I did forbid thee to come aboard, but thou wouldst come. Now are we under sail. "

CHAPTER XX

The priest of the parish at Oundle had Hugo and Humphrey up and offbetimes the next morning, as he had said. "It must be he liketh not ourcompany over well, " observed Humphrey, as they jogged on after a verybrief and hasty leave-taking. 

"Perhaps he taketh thee for a wolf in sheep's clothing, " said Hugo, with a meaning glance at the priest's habit in which the stalwartHumphrey was engulfed. 

"And thee for the cub, dear lad, " retorted Humphrey. "But it may beafter all that he looketh but to his own safety, and desireth not tofall into disgrace with the king by harboring us. But hark! Let uswithdraw ourselves into the wood. Here come travellers this way. And Icannot feel safe in the priest's garb. The wood, methinks, were abetter protection. "

With the celerity of practice the two concealed themselves in the woodin such a position that they could see the path. And presently therecame into view a small party of knights on their way northward. 

"They look not so dangerous, " commented Hugo. 

"Nay, " agreed Humphrey. "I would liefer see them than king's spies. Butbide we here a bit and see if more will come. "

It was very still in the wood that morning and a little sound seemed agreat one. So the two, while they waited, talked together in low tones. "The merry-hearted canon is in most things wise, I do suppose, "observed Humphrey. "But I feel not like a priest though I wear hisgarb. And I fear to do something which will betray me to be but theSaxon serving-man which I am. Still, I must wear it?" And he lookedinquiringly at Hugo. 

"Yea, " replied the boy. "The land is so full of priests that few scanthem closely. And, moreover, there be Saxons among them. He was bornbut a Saxon serf who was the great pope Adrian IV. "

"Sayest thou so?" said Humphrey. "I will e'en take courage and wear thepriest's garb as well as I can. I suppose thou knowest all this fromthine uncle, the prior?"

[Illustration: Humphrey in Priest's Garb]

"Yea, " answered Hugo, with a smile. 

A while there was silence, while both listened. Then Humphrey said, "But I like not the canon's plan that we go to St. Albans. "

"And wherefore?" asked Hugo. 

"That I cannot tell. I do but know that I like it not. It were betterto go straight to London. So think I, and so do I say. "

Hugo reflected. He knew that the way was not particularly safe for themanywhere. "If it should be discovered that we have been atPeterborough, " he said at length. 

"Yea, lad, " broke in Humphrey. "I had not thought of that. But wouldthey not straight seek for us at St. Albans, where the merry-heartedcanon hath sent us? And neither did I like the parish priest at Oundle. He did speed us too gladly. And he knoweth that we go to St. Albans. "

"Thou mayest be right, Humphrey, " said Hugo. "It will doubtless costthe monks at St. Albans small grief if they do not see us. We will goto London as thou sayest. "

Humphrey regarded him approvingly. "It is easy to see that thou art farfrom being a fool, " he said. "Hiding and skulking through wood and fenare making thee wary. "

The two now resumed their journey, and Humphrey asked, "Hast ever beenon this Watling Street?"

"Nay, " replied Hugo. "I was bred up, as thou knowest, by mine uncle, the prior, and all my travels have been by ear. What I did hear himspeak of I know, but not much else. "

"And he did never speak of the Watling Street?"

"Yea, he hath oft spoken of it. But it is a long road, and here inEngland since the time of the Romans. I know that it goeth to London. "

"Then we go to St. Albans after all?"

"Why, St. Albans lieth on the Watling Street. So said the CanonThurstan. But we need not stop long there. "

"Unless we be stopped, " said Humphrey. "I would we need not go nigh theplace. " He now halted and looked about him carefully. "Said the priestat Oundle where we should first come to the Watling Street?" he asked. "Nay, " replied Hugo. "He did say only, 'Go till thou come to it, ' evenas the Canon Thurstan said. "

"I hope we be on the right way, " observed Humphrey. "I would fain findnot only the Watling Street, but a town and an inn also. For thebreakfast of the priest at Oundle was more of a fast than a feast. "

They were now traversing an undulating country and going in a southerlydirection. 

"We may not ask our way, " said Humphrey, decidedly. "It is as much as Ican do to wear the priest's garb and speak when I be spoken to. Were Ito speak of myself, it would speedily be known that I was no priest, for I have not the mind of a priest. "

Hugo smiled. He had already learned that, although one might turn themind of Humphrey for a little from its accustomed track, yet itspeedily turned back. He had taken a little courage at the mention ofthe Saxon pope, Adrian IV, but now he was as fearful as ever. 

"I wear this garb only till we be through London, " resumed Humphrey. "The Canon Thurstan bid me wear it only so far. He said naught of whatshould be done later. And once we leave London I will be again Humphreythe serving-man, and no make-believe priest. I like not make-believes. "

Hugo smiled again. "How likest thou my being a make-believe Josceline, and no Hugo?" he asked. 

"That be a different matter, " was the decided answer. "Thou hast savedour young lord's life, and thou art a brave lad. But I would ratherskulk and hide in the fen than in the priest's garb. How likest thou tobe a novice?"

"Why, very well, " replied Hugo, "so that it serve my turn and help meon my way in safety. I should have been a true novice had I heeded myuncle. But, as thou knowest, I will be a knight. "

"Ay, and a bold one thou wilt be, " was the response; "as bold as ourlord who is in France. "

All day they held slowly on their way, and, though they frequently metother travellers, they attracted no more attention than an occasionalcurious glance. And toward sundown they came to the town of Dunstable. 

"Now, " cried Humphrey, joyfully, "here be a town. Let us make haste toenter before the curfew and find an inn. We have had a long fast. "

"Shall we not rather go to the priory?" asked Hugo. 

"Nay, verily, " answered Humphrey. "I go to no priory to-night. I willgo to an inn, and I will have there a mighty supper, and a good bed, and no priestly duties to perform. I know not how to perform them if Iwould. And I proclaim to no man that we be counterfeits. And moreover, the priests here may be even as the parish priest of Oundle. Mayhap hewill not set the pursuers on our track, but I trust him not. I trust noman who sendeth forth travellers with such a breakfast. " So saying, herode boldly down the main street which he had entered till he came towhere it intersected another main street at right angles. There hestopped. "Here be inns in plenty, " he said. "It must be this town is onthe Watling Street. " And he questioned the groom who came to take theirtired horses. 

"Yea, " answered the groom. "This be the town of Dunstable. And here itis that the Watling Street crosseth the Icknield Street. "

"_Pax vobiscum_, " said Humphrey. "I will in to the fire and my supper. Do thou care well for the beasts. " And, followed by Hugo, he strode offwith a gait which was not often seen on a priest. 

The inn which Humphrey had chosen displayed the sign of the Shorn Lamb, and was one of the smallest in the neighborhood; it made its patrons athome in its large kitchen while they waited for the meal to be served. There was but one other guest in the room when Hugo and Humphreyentered, and the moment the faithful serving-man saw him he wasgrateful for his priest's garb; for the fierce little man who wasgiving orders in a peremptory manner was none other than WalterSkinner. 

In great fear he had fled from Newark at the instance of the courtier, but his courage, after three days of wandering, had returned to him;for his hope of one day being a duke died hard. "Though I be the king'sspy no longer, " he had said to himself, "I have been the king's spy. Therefore I have had a certain measure of preferment and may hope formore. " And in this humor he had come into Dunstable by way of theIcknield Street, and by chance had chosen the very inn Humphrey hadselected. That he had fled from Newark and was no longer in pursuit ofthem Humphrey did not know; and he, accordingly, withdrew deeper intothe concealment of his hood, while Hugo did the same. 

As for Walter Skinner, he looked at them with contempt. "Here cometh abeggarly priest and a novice, " he thought, "to keep company at thetable with me. I will none of it. " And he said haughtily to theinnkeeper: "Worthy host, I have no liking to priests. Seat them not atthe table with me. Give me thy company, if it please thee, but servethe priest and his novice elsewhere. "

The innkeeper happened to be in a surly humor. Certain affairs had gonecontrary and vexed him. Therefore he made answer: "I keep but one table. There may ye all feed or ye may look elsewhere. There be other inns. "And he added slowly and impressively, "They--be--all--full--also. "

"Why, here be a circumstance!" cried Walter Skinner. "The inns of thistown be full, sayest thou? Why, all the inns in London be not full, Iwarrant thee. And why should they be full here in this bit of a town, with one street running this way, and one another way, like a cross? Iwould have thee to know that I have been servant to the king, and amused to be served accordingly. "

"And what service hast thou done the king?" demanded the surlyinnkeeper, unbelievingly. 

"I did watch from the top of the high tree the De Aldithely castle, "was the boastingly given answer. "I did see the young lord and hisserving-man flee through the postern and enter the wood. " He was aboutto rehearse all the particulars of his pursuit of the runaways when theinnkeeper interrupted him. 

"Thou must, then, " said he, "be the spy for whom the king is looking, and I will give thee to him. "

"Nay, nay, " said Walter Skinner, his fierceness all gone as he suddenlyremembered the warning given him in Newark by the courtier who had sethim free. "That thou mayest not do. I do journey toward the south. Thoumayest not delay me. "

"I could if I would, " returned the innkeeper, his surly mood vanishingas he saw before him the opportunity of enjoying himself by tormentingsomebody. "But thou art such a sprat of a man that my compassionforbids me. The king looketh for thee to hear thee tell what thouknowest of the whereabouts of the young lord and his companion. If thoucanst not tell, he will have thy head; so hath he sworn. For he is inan evil rage, and heads are as nothing to him when he rageth, as thouknowest. He searcheth also for the bailiff who had thee in charge andlet thee escape. I warrant thee the bailiff hath a wit too sound to goproclaiming how he was some great man, even a bailiff in the town ofNewark. "

All this was lost on Walter Skinner, however, who grasped but onethought, that he was in danger, and had but one anxiety, how to escapeit. He turned now with some degree of humility to Humphrey. 

"What!" said the innkeeper. "Dost thou turn to the beggarly priest whomthou erstwhile didst despise? But it shall not avail thee. It is withme that thou must deal. Knowest thou that I might lose my head forharboring thee, if I give thee not up? But I will hide thee, my littlesprat, so that the king himself would not know thee. Come with me. "

The little spy, his importance all gone, did as the burly innkeeperbade him, and Hugo and Humphrey were left alone in the kitchen with theservants. 

"What do we?" asked Humphrey, in a low tone. "Flee?"

"Nay, " replied Hugo. "That were to invite pursuit. "

"This innkeeper is a knave, " said Humphrey. 

"The more reason for caution, " answered Hugo. 

"I have heard that some priests be great sleepers and great eaters, "said Humphrey a few moments later. 

"Some priests be, " agreed Hugo. 

"Then I be one of them. I do now drowse in my chair, and naught but thecall to supper shall awake me. And then will I play so busily with myfood that no words can escape me save _pax vobiscum_. This rascalinnkeeper learns naught of me. "

Presently back came the innkeeper with Walter Skinner in his turnplaying scullion. "Here, sir priest, " cried the innkeeper. "Here is hewho shall serve thee at thy meal. "

But there was no response. The priest's head was sunk on his breast, and he seemed asleep. His novice also appeared to sleep. 

The innkeeper, emboldened, now gazed openly and curiously at the two. "They have not come far, " he said to himself. "Their garments be nottravel-stained enough for that. They be some dullards of small wit ontheir first journey, for the groom did say they knew not that this wasDunstable. "

His observations were here cut short by the appearance of three othertravellers; but their entrance failed to arouse the priest and hisnovice, who remained, as before, apparently asleep. 

"Yea, verily, " thought the innkeeper, as he slowly advanced to meet thenewcomers, "they be but two dullards. There is neither game nor gain tobe made of them as there is of this Walter Skinner, from whom I willtake his horse before I let him go. I will e'en bid priest and novicepack to make room for these newcomers, from whom I may win something, and to save room for others who may come. "

Accordingly he set to work, but it was with great difficulty that heroused the two. "_Pax vobiscum_, " murmured Humphrey, sleepily. "Is thesupper ready?"

"Yea, but at some other inn, " returned the innkeeper. "Here be threeworthy people just come in. There is not room for them and ye. Thegroom bringeth your horses, and ye must go. " Without a word ofobjection Hugo and Humphrey rose to do the innkeeper's bidding anddepart. But they walked like men half awake, and followed the innkeeperstumblingly; and mounted their horses clumsily, to the great merrimentof the groom. It was now dark, and they knew not which way to turn. "Ichoose not another inn, " said Humphrey, "though we bide supperless inthe streets. "

"Then choose I, " returned Hugo. And he rode off down the street withHumphrey close beside him. 

"Lad, lad!" cried the serving-man, "thou must not lead. It will betrayus. "

At once Hugo fell behind, and the two rode on until, at a little inncalled the Blue Bell, the boy bade the serving-man stop. The twoalighted, gave their horses to the groom, went in, were promptly serveda good supper, and, in due time, were shown to their beds. 

"There be dangers on the Watling Street as well as in the fen, " saidHumphrey. 

In the meanwhile the keeper of the Shorn Lamb was having his enjoymentat the expense of Walter Skinner. He bade him serve the three strangersand fear nothing, as no one would recognize him in the guise of ascullion. 

"Why, here didst thou come strutting it finely, " said the innkeeper, ina mocking tone. "And dost thou strut now? Nay, verily; but thou art asmeek as any whipped cock. And since it was by thy strut that men didrecognize thee, how shall they make thee out when thy fine strut isgone? Wherefore serve the strangers, and be not afraid. "

In spite of this exhortation the manner of Walter Skinner stillbetrayed doubt, and even timidity. And at last he made the innkeeperunderstand that it was he whom he feared and not the strangers. 

The innkeeper laughed. "Dost fear me?" he said. "Why, thou needst not--that is, thou needst not if thou observest my conditions. Thou hast ahorse that thou needest not, since thou hast legs of thine own. Somewhat short they be, and somewhat stiff in the joints, being moremade to strut with than for the common gait of mankind. Still I doubtnot they will carry thee whither thou wouldst go after I have dismissedthee. Serve the strangers, therefore, and afterward thou shalt sup. "

In great meekness Walter Skinner obeyed, and the innkeeper, observinghim, sat down later with satisfaction to his own meal. 

Now it chanced that the strangers had ordered liquor, and WalterSkinner paused in the bringing of it long enough to take a drink of itand fill up the measure again with water. And in a few moments hisfears were gone. He surreptitiously drank again, and yet again, for thestrangers were convivial. And, by the time they were served and histask done, he had forgotten his danger and remembered only theinjustice of the innkeeper. 

"What!" he said to himself. "Here be a degradation! Here be a puttingof fine metal to base uses! I who have been servant to the king am madea scullion to traveling strangers who be drunken, moreover, and fitonly to be served by this rascal innkeeper who hath made a scullion ofme. And shall he have my horse also? Nay, he shall not. I will away tothe stables this moment and set out and gain my liberty. "

Nobody noticed him as he went out the kitchen door, and nobody saw himas he entered the stable and prepared his horse for the journey. And, still unnoticed, he mounted, after many a crazy lurch, and set off downthe street. In due time he came to the gate, and the watchmanchallenged him. 

"Dost stop me, sirrah!" demanded the half-drunken Walter Skinner. "I bethe servant of the king; and, moreover, I be but just come from the innof the Shorn Lamb. Pass me outside the walls. "

The watchman, at the mention of the Shorn Lamb, made haste to lead thehorse through the narrow side gate, for he and the innkeeper wereconfederates in villany; and away went Walter Skinner at a great pacetoward London. 

CHAPTER XXI

Knowing nothing of the escape of their old enemy, Hugo and Humphreyarose the next morning and, after paying their reckoning, departedwithout having incurred the suspicion of any one in the town. 

"This cometh of leaving the inn of the Shorn Lamb in good season, "observed Humphrey, with satisfaction. 

"I did think we were put out of the inn, " said Hugo, demurely. 

"Ay, lad, " agreed Humphrey; "thou art right. If all who go to the ShornLamb were thus put out, and so did leave in good season, there would befewer lambs abroad without their fleece. Didst see Walter Skinner inthe guise of the scullion?"

"Yea, " answered Hugo. 

"If I be so good a priest as he is a scullion, I fear detection from noman. Why, he doth look to be a good scullion, whereas when he is cladas the king's spy, he looketh a very poor spy; and he doth act the partmoreover very lamentably. We had come badly off had he been as good aspy as he is a scullion. "

"Ay, and had he been less drunken, " said Hugo. 

"Thou hast well said, lad, " agreed Humphrey. "Let a man that would haveill success in what he undertaketh but befuddle his wit with drink, andill success he will have, and that in good measure. And the scorn andcontempt of his fellows, moreover, even as hath this little spy. "

"And yet, " observed Hugo, thoughtfully, "it were hard to find a man whois not at some time drunken. "

"Hadst thou that from thine uncle, the prior?" asked Humphrey, quickly. "Or didst thou gain it from thine own very ancient experience?"

"Now I have angered thee, " said Hugo, frankly. 

"Yea, lad, thou hast. This is a time of great drinking, that I know;but never have I seen my lord drunken. And never hath any man seen medrunken, nor my father, nor my grandsire. There be ever enough soberones in the worst of times to keep the world right side uppermost. Andthat thou wilt find when thou hast lived to be forty years old. Butthou art but fourteen, and I am foolish to be angered with thee forwhat is, after all, but lack of experience. How soon come we to thisSt. Albans?"

"Why, it is but thirteen miles from Dunstable, " answered Hugo, pleasantly. 

"Then may we pass it by without stopping, " cried Humphrey, joyfully. "And how much farther on lieth London?"

"Twenty miles, " replied Hugo. 

"Then do we rest in London to-night, if we may, " said Humphrey. "Ourhorses be not of the best, but neither are they of the worst; and itwere an ill beast that could not go thirty-three miles before sunset onthe Watling Street. "

"Ay, " agreed Hugo. "But we may not ride too fast, else shall we arousewonder. "

Humphrey sighed. "Thou art right, lad, " he said. "And wonder might leadto questions, and questions to a stopping of our journey. For how knowI what answer to make to questions that I be not looking for? I willtherefore go more slowly. "

The road was now by no means empty of passengers. Trains of packhorseswere going down to London. And just as they reached St. Albans came anobleman with his retinue, going down to his town house in London. "Somight my lord ride, but for the wicked king, " said Humphrey, in a lowtone, as they stood aside. Then passing into the city of St. Albans, they at once sought an inn and made the early hour suit them for dinnerthat so they might journey on the sooner. 

They had entered St. Albans in the rear of the nobleman's party. Theypassed out of it an hour later unnoticed in a throng of people. "Andnow, " said Humphrey, looking back at the town on the slope, "let thepriest at Oundle play us false if he like; we be safely through thetown. "

"It was near here that the Saxon pope, Adrian IV, was born, " observedHugo. 

"Ay, lad, " answered Humphrey, indifferently. "But I be nearing theplace where I be a priest no longer. If we may not make too much haste, let us turn aside in the wood and find a hut where they will take us infor the night, and where, perchance, I may get a dream. 'Tis a mightyplace, this London, and I would fain see what 'twere best to do. "

Hugo made no objection, and when they were within ten miles of thegreat city they turned their horses to the left and sought shelter inEpping Forest. 

"I like the wood, " observed Humphrey, with satisfaction. "It seemeth asafer place than the Watling Street; for who knoweth what rascals ridethereon, and who be no more what they seem than we be ourselves?"

"Why, so they be no worse than we, we need not fear, " returned Hugo, with a smile. 

But Humphrey was not to be convinced. "I be forty years old, " he said, "and what be safer than a tree but many trees? And the grass is underfoot, and the sky above, and naught worse than robbers and wardens tobe feared in the wood. "

Hugo laughed. "And what worse than robbers on the Watling Street?" heasked. 

"King's men, lad, king's men. A good honest robber of the woods willtake but thy purse or other goods; but the king's man will take thee, and the king will take, perchance, thy life. I like not the WatlingStreet, nor care to see it more. "

They were now going slowly through the wood in a bridle-path, onebehind the other. Presently they came out into a glade, and across it, peeping from amid the trees, they descried a hut. "That be our inn forthe night, if they will take us, " said Humphrey, decisively. And, crossing the glade, he rode boldly up to the door and knocked. 

The hut was very small and was made of wattle and daub. A faint line ofsmoke was coming from a hole in the roof. The knock with the end ofHumphrey's stick was a vigorous one. Nevertheless it went so longwithout answer that he knocked again, and this time with bettersuccess. The door opened slowly a little way, and through the aperturethus made an old and withered face looked out. 

"What wilt thou?" asked a cracked, high voice. 

"Entrance and shelter for the night, " replied Humphrey, promptly andconcisely. 

The door opened a little wider and the man within stepping outside, hisperson was revealed. He was of medium height and spare, and he wore along gray tunic of wool reaching to his knees. Beneath this garment hislean legs were bare, while on his feet he wore shoes of skin whichreached to the ankle, and which were secured by thongs. Such as he Hugoand Humphrey had often seen, but never before a face like his, in whichcraftiness and credulity were strangely mingled. For several minutes hestood there, first scrutinizing Humphrey and then Hugo. 

At last Humphrey grew impatient. "Do we come in, or do we stay out?" hedemanded. 

"Why, that I hardly know, " was the slow answer. "There be many roguesabout; some in priests' robes and some not. "

"Yea, verily, " responded Humphrey, fervently; "but we be not of thenumber. _Pax vobiscum_, " he added, hastily. "I had well nigh forgotthat, " he said in an aside to Hugo. 

But the old man's ears were keen, and he caught the aside meant forHugo's ears alone. "Thou be but a sorry priest to forget thy _paxvobiscum_, " he said with a crafty look. "Perchance thou art no priest, "he added, coming closer and peering into Humphrey's face. 

He looked so long that Humphrey again grew impatient. "What seest thouon my face?" he asked. 

"Why, I do see a mole on thy nose. It is a very small one, and of scantsize, but because thou hast it thou mayest come down from thy horse, thou and the lad with thee, and I will give thee lodging for thenight. "

Instinctively Humphrey raised his hand and touched a tiny mole on theside and near the end of his nose. The man of the hut watched him. "Isee thou knowest that a mole near the end of the nose is lucky, " hesaid. 

"Not I, " declared Humphrey. "I had not before heard of such a thing. "

The man of the hut regarded him pityingly. Then he said: "Come downfrom thy horse, thou unwitting lucky one, and come thou and the ladwithin while I do hide thy horses in a thick, for I would share thyluck. Dost not know that to show kindness to a lucky one is to sharehis fortune? Thou hadst not come within the hut but for thy mole, Iwarrant thee. For I do know that thou art the false priest and theyoung lord from Oundle that stopped not at St. Albans as ye were bid. "

Hugo and Humphrey looked at each other. Then Humphrey said, "I knownot, after all, whether to come in or not. "

"Come in! come in!" cried the old man, eagerly. "I must share thy luck, and that could I not do if I played thee false. Come in!"

Still hesitating, Humphrey glanced about him. He knew not who might beon his track. And then he decided to go in. 

"No matter who knocketh while I be gone, " said the old man, earnestly, "give heed to none. Only when I come and knock four times: one forthee, one time for the lad, and two times for the two horses, whichsignifieth that I know ye; listen close. And when I say 'mole, ' openthe door softly and not over wide. "

Humphrey, who with Hugo was now within the hut, promised to obey, andthe old man, closing the door after him, departed with the horses. 

At once Humphrey put out the smoking embers of the fire burning on theearthen floor in the centre of the hut. "If any knock and see the smokeand hear no answer, will they not break in the door?" he said. 

The old man had been gone but a short time when a tramp of horses washeard. The riders paused before the door of the hut as Humphrey haddone, and one of them knocked heavily upon it with his stick. But therewas no answer. Again there came a knock and a cry, "Open, oldBartlemy!"

Meanwhile, old Bartlemy had come creeping cautiously back, and frombehind a screen of vines which hung from an oak beheld them. "Ay, yemay knock and cry, " he muttered craftily; "but which one of ye hath amole near the end of his nose? Not one of ye. Therefore I will havenone of ye. And ye may be gone. "

"The old rascal groweth deaf, " said one of the riders. 

"Nay, " answered the second. "There cometh no smoke out of the roof. Heis doubtless from home for the night. "

Old Bartlemy hastily glanced toward the roof of the hut. He had left asmouldering fire, and now no fire was there. "The false priest hath putit out, " he said joyfully. "Now know I that he hath luck with him, andI will serve him faithfully. Ay, knock!" he continued. "Knock thy fill. I did but now hear thee call me 'old rascal, ' though I have helped theeto thy desires many times, for which thou didst pay me by everthreatening to bring the ranger upon me for the game I take to keep mealive. Thou wantest naught of old Bartlemy but to further thine ownschemes. "

There was silence a moment, and then the first speaker said, "Thepriest of Oundle hath cheaply bought his altar cloth if we find notthese two. We know they be between St. Albans and London. And we doknow they be, for the present, gone from the Watling Street, for thecarter from London whom we did meet did tell us that he had met themnot on the way. Therefore go thou to London by way of the ErmineStreet, while I go down by the Watling Street. They may be now strayingabout in the wood, but we shall have them on one road or the other asthey go into the city. The false priest rideth a gray, and the younglord a black. We shall have them without Bartlemy's aid, fear not. "

Then the riders withdrew, each going his way, and Bartlemy a fewmoments later knocked on the door of the hut and was admitted byHumphrey. At once the old man made up the fire in the centre of the hutagain. 

"What doest thou?" demanded Humphrey. "Wouldst have other visitors?"

"Do not thou fear, " responded Bartlemy. "Am I not here? And can I nothide thee and the lad beneath yon heap of rushes if a stranger come? Noman will look for thee here. They that seek thee think that Bartlemywill aid them; and so he would but for thy mole. I be an old man, andnever yet hath fortune come my way, and all because I did not beforemeet thee. For it hath been foretold me that a man having a mole nearthe end of his nose would bring me fortune. Wherefore I cleave to thee, and will protect thee with my life, if need be. " So saying, he threwanother fagot on the fire and, from a hidden cupboard, brought out asubstantial meal of venison and bread. When the meal was finished hecommanded: "Lie down and rest now, thou and the lad, while I keepwatch. Thou wilt need thy wits on the morrow. "

Humphrey reflected. Then he turned to Hugo. "Lie down, lad, " he saidkindly. "The old man is crazed when he talketh of moles, but he isright when he saith we have need of our wits on the morrow. And thatmeaneth we must rest in faith to-night. "

The old man smiled triumphantly. "I be not so crazed as thou thinkest, neither, " he said. "Thy mole is not only thy good fortune, but minealso. " With that he put the remains of the meal back in the cupboard, shut the door, and replenished the fire. He then threw himself down onthe earthen floor beside it, and lay there grinning and grimacing atthe flames till Hugo and Humphrey fell asleep. A dozen times beforedawn old Bartlemy rose to bend over the two, grinning and grimacing ashe did so, and clasping his hands in ecstasy. But when the two awoke hewas gone. 

Humphrey, when he discovered Bartlemy's absence, started up in alarm. "I did get no dream, lad, " he said to Hugo, whom his movements hadaroused; "and the old man is gone. I know not what to do. "

CHAPTER XXII

An hour went by and still old Bartlemy did not come; an hour of silencebroken only by occasional whispers between Hugo and Humphrey. 

Then the old man softly opened the door and stood smiling before them. 

"Thou didst think me false, is it not so?" he said, addressing Humphreyand casting an affectionate glance as he did so on the small mole nearthe end of the Saxon's nose. 

Great as was his anxiety, Hugo could but laugh to see how the serving-manwas placed before himself, and all on account of an unfortunateblemish on his countenance. And his enjoyment was heightened by theembarrassment and half-concealed irritation it occasioned Humphrey. 

But old Bartlemy paid no attention to Hugo and his merry mood. Heproceeded with despatch to set out the morning meal from the hiddencupboard. "Eat well and heartily, " he exhorted both his guests; "for soshall ye be able to set your enemies at defiance. A full stomach givetha man courage and taketh him through many dangers. But why, " hecontinued, addressing Humphrey solicitously, "why shouldest thou havemany dangers? Why dost thou not let the young lord ride forth alone?"

Humphrey's answer was a look so full of indignation that the old manventured to say nothing more, except, "I see that thou art not to bepersuaded, and I will e'en help ye both. "

So saying, he went outside and brought in a bundle or pack which hehad, on his return to the hut, secreted in a convenient hiding-place. "I have been to a spot I wot of, " he began, "and there did I borrowthis raiment. I did borrow it, I say, and ye must put it on. When yehave no further need of it, then I will return it to its owner. "

[Illustration: Bartlemy Bore Garments for Disguise]

Humphrey gazed at him in astonishment. At last he said, "Thou knowestthat we journey hence this morn and shall see thee no more. Whatmeanest thou?"

"Why, this, " was the response. "I go with thee. "

"Thou goest with me!" repeated Humphrey. 

"Ay, " was the stubborn answer. "Thinkest thou I will lightly part withhim who is decreed to make my fortune? Thou art the man thefortune-teller spake to me of. 'Cleave to him that hath a mole near theend of his nose, ' saith the fortune-teller, and I will of a surety doso. But tell me truly, should the young lord be captured, would thyability to make my fortune be diminished?"

"Yea, verily, " answered Humphrey, positively. "Were my dear ladcaptured, I could do nothing for thee. "

"Thou needst say no more, " said the old man, for the first time thatmorning looking full at Hugo. "He seemeth a good lad. I will protecthim also with my life, if need be. For what will a man not do if he maythereby escape the marring of his fortune?"

Old Bartlemy now ceased speaking and devoted all his energies tohastily undoing the bundle he had brought in, and sorting out a portionof what it contained. 

"What hast thou there?" asked Humphrey, contemptuously, as he pointedto a woman's robe, tunic, and hood of green. "Here be no fine ladies. "

"Nay, speak not so fast, " replied old Bartlemy, stubbornly. "Thy younglord will don these things, and then shalt thou see a fair lady on ajourney bent. "

Hugo flushed. "I wear no woman's dress, " he said with determination. 

"Why, how now?" demanded old Bartlemy. "Art thou better than Longchamp, bishop of Ely? When he did flee he fled as a woman, and in a greentunic and hood, moreover. When thou art as old as thou now art young, thou wilt welcome the means that helpeth thee safely on. " The old man'smanner was so changed from that of the night before, and he displayedso much energy, foresight, and knowledge, that Hugo and Humphrey lookedat each other in wonder. He was still old, but he was no longer senile. 

"Knowest thou not, " he continued, "that the king's men look for theeeither as the young lord or as the false priest's novice? Dally nolonger, but put on this woman's garb. "

"Yea, lad, " counselled Humphrey, "put it on. It will suit thee betterthan the king's dungeon. "

Thus urged, Hugo obeyed, and presently was stepping about the hut mostdiscontentedly in the guise of a woman. "Stride not so manfully or webe undone, " cried old Bartlemy. "Canst thou not mince thy gait? There!That hath a more seemly look. "

The pack he had brought in was very large, and from it he now took thegarments and armor of an esquire, which he handed to Humphrey. "Whenthou shalt don these, " he said, "it will come to pass that thou hastbeen sent to bring thy young lady safe to London town. "

With alacrity Humphrey tossed aside his priest's robe and clad himselfin what old Bartlemy offered him. "Now may I forget my _pax vobiscum_and no harm be done, " he exclaimed joyfully. 

Hugo could but smile at the pride and pleasure of Humphrey's manner ashe arrayed himself. "Ah, my good Humphrey!" he cried; "I have foundthee out. Thou wouldst be an esquire, even as I would be a knight. "

Humphrey sighed. "Yea, lad, " he confessed, "but I am but a Saxonserving-man. "

Like a hawk the little old man was watching both. "And I have foundthee out, " he said, turning to Hugo. "The mole on his nose doth signifythe good fortune thou wilt bring him, even as it signifieth what hewill do for me. Be sure, gentle lady, I shall serve thee well. "

Hugo laughed and, in his character of lady, inclined his headcourteously. 

Humphrey, who could not for a moment forget the business in hand, ignored this pleasantry and inquired curtly: "But how goest thou withus, Bartlemy? Will not the men who were here last night know thee?"

"Nay, verily, " replied Bartlemy. "I have a friend to my counsel thatthey know not of. 'Tis he who did lend these disguises, and didinstruct me, moreover, in many matters. He did bid me overcome theyoung lord's objections to wearing woman's dress by naming Longchampand his green tunic and hood. And many other matters he hath helped meto, even the whole conduct of the journey, as thou shalt presentlysee. " With one last look at Humphrey's nose he backed out of the hutand made off in a surprisingly agile manner for one of his age. 

"Now a plague upon his foolishness!" exclaimed Humphrey. "I had all butforgotten my nose, but he will be ever bringing it to my mind. Yet, ifthe mole on it take us safely through London, I complain not. And I dohope he forget not his instructions and become again upon our hands thewitless old man of last night. " He advanced to the door and glancedout. "But here come two horses and a mule, " he continued. "Whose theybe, I know not, nor what hath been done with ours. "

Hugo at this also looked out the door. "In size and in gait thesehorses be ours, " he said. 

"Yea, lad; but what should be thy black is a rusty brown with a star inhis forehead and one white foot. And what should be my gray is thatsame rusty brown with two white feet and a patch on his side. And thetails of both be bobbed, and the manes cropped, and the saddles andhousings be different. This is more of Bartlemy's 'friend to hiscounsel, ' perchance. And I hope his friend be not the Evil One. " Hepaused a moment. "Seest thou the old woman on the mule that leadeth thehorses?" he continued. 

"That is Bartlemy, " replied Hugo. 

"Ay, " agreed Humphrey. "But we had not known it had we not been madeready for mysteries. He looketh like an ancient crone, and will be thyold nurse, no doubt, going with thee on thy journey. Well, they be wisemen that would know the five of us. "

"Five?" questioned Hugo. 

"Ay, lad. Thou and Bartlemy and I and the two horses. Perchance themule is honest and what he seemeth to be. "

Bartlemy, having tied the animals, now came up to the door of the hutin great exultation. "What thinkest thou of these strange horses, Humphrey?" he asked. 

"I do think they lack their tails, " answered Humphrey, gravely, "whichis a sad lack in summer. "

The old man grinned. "And what more thinkest thou?" he asked. 

"I do think they have need of manes also, " was the reply. 

With an air of pride the old man, clad in his woman's dress, consistingof a long, loose, blue robe surmounted by a long, red head-rail whichreached to his knees, walked back to the horses. "Come hither, " he saidto Humphrey. "It were not well to cut off what one may need before itgrow again. Seest thou how only the outside of the tail is cut so as tobush out over what is braided fine in many strands and caught upcunningly beneath? And come hither. Seest thou how the mane iscunningly looped and gummed, so that it seemeth to be short, when a dipin the stream will make it long again? And this brown is but a stain, and the white patches a bleach that will last but till the horse shedsagain. "

"This is the work of thy friend?" inquired Humphrey, gravely. 

"Yea, " answered old Bartlemy, jubilantly. 

"And he is an honest man?"

Old Bartlemy frowned. "He is my friend. And he hath served thee well, if he hath kept thee and the lad from the hands of the king. Ask nomore. He had not done so much, but that I did tell him it was to makemy fortune. And now mount, my esquire! mount, my gentle lady! and I, thy nurse, will mount. And we will all away to London town. ""By which road?" asked Humphrey, reining in his stained and bleachedhorse. 

"By the Watling Street, " was the confident answer. 

Humphrey seemed dissatisfied. Seeing which the old man said: "Why, wemust e'en go by the Watling Street or the Ermine Street, since we havethe young lady here in charge. Such is the custom of travellers to goby one or the other. "

"I like not the Watling Street, " objected Humphrey. 

"Didst hear the men at the door of my hut?" asked old Bartlemy, earnestly. 

"Yea, " replied Humphrey, briefly. 

"Didst note how he who watcheth for us on the Watling Street did tellhis plans in a voice that all might hear?"

"Yea. "

"Therefore I go by the Watling Street and not by the Ermine Street, "said old Bartlemy, with determination. "He that hath so littlediscretion that he telleth his plans in the ears of all who may listenis less to be feared than he that sayeth little. He that watcheth forus on the Ermine Street hath keen eyes and a silent tongue. Thereforego we by the Watling Street and, moreover, the friend to my counselhath bid me so to do. I warrant thee more than one priest will bestopped there, while the esquire and the young lady and the nurseescape notice. "

"Mayhap thou art right, " agreed Humphrey, after some reflection. 

Bartlemy did not wait to answer, but, giving his mule a slap with thereins, set forward, and in a moment all three were crossing the glade, whence they followed the same bridle-path by which Hugo and Humphreyhad come the day before, and so gained the Watling Street. Many peoplewere upon it, and Bartlemy, following the instructions of him who hadplanned for him, managed to ride near enough to a merchant's party tobe mistaken as members of it by an unthinking observer. 

In his garb of esquire Humphrey was more at home than in that of thepriest, and he looked boldly about him. "Here be a strange thing, lad, "he said. "As we did come upon this road I did see a priest with hisnovice pass by. Seest thou that other near at hand? And looking back Isee yet another. He that watcheth for us is like to have his handsfull. "

"Many priests be abroad, " replied Hugo, with a smile. "It was to thatthe Canon Thurstan trusted when he sent us forth. "

"He should, then, not have sent us to that rascally one at Oundle, "growled Humphrey. "Speak not o'er much with the lady, " cautioned oldBartlemy, riding up. "It is not seemly. Let her stay by me, her nurse. So hath the friend to my counsel instructed me. "

At once Hugo fell back, reining his horse alongside the mule and a halfpace in advance; whereat old Bartlemy smiled in approbation. 

"Where go we in London?" asked Hugo, curiously. 

"Thou shalt see in good time, " answered Bartlemy. "It may be one place, it may be another. I can tell when we have passed him who watcheth forus. I know many places. "

The old man, turning his face away, Hugo saw that he did not wish totalk further, so he contented himself by seeing as much as he couldwith his keen young eyes of what went on before him, old Bartlemyhaving previously cautioned him against gazing about over much. 

As they drew nearer the city the crowd became more dense, being swelledby those who were coming out of it on their way north. A little partyof knights, esquires, pages, and ladies travelling at a faster paceovertook them, and so they were still better protected from observationthan before, as the new party were now obliged, by the throng, to goforward slowly. So on they went till they came to the church of St. Andrew, and the Fleet River, and, crossing the bridge, foundthemselves, as old Bartlemy said, not far from the New Gate, throughwhich they must enter the city. They had no sooner entered than oldBartlemy said to Hugo, "Thou didst not see the man at the hut?"

"Nay, " answered Hugo, with a nervous start. 

"Yon at the entrance to the meat market opposite the Grey Friars is he. Seem not to notice him, but mark him well. He hath a bailiff to hishelp, and it will go hard with somebody. "

"He stoppeth not that priest and his novice, " observed Hugo. 

"That is because the bailiff knoweth both and hath instructed him, "answered Bartlemy. "Look downward now right modestly till we be safelypast, for thou hast a speaking eye. Thou art not lucky like the goodHumphrey, to have a dull eye, which seeth much and seemeth to seenaught. "

Hugo glanced down as he was bid, and soon they were past in safety. ButHumphrey, half turning in his saddle and gazing back, saw a priest andhis novice stopped. "And the priest rideth a gray and the novice ablack, " mused Humphrey, "which is a wonderful thing, and not to beaccounted for except by chance. "

[Illustration: Humphrey Half Turning in His Saddle Saw the Priest]

CHAPTER XXIII

The pace at which Walter Skinner had left Dunstable for London he keptup for some two miles, when he slackened his rein at the bidding of hishalf-drunken fancy. 

"I be for London town, " he said to himself with a serious look. "Andother men than I have been there before now. Yea, verily, and have gotthem safe home again into the bargain. But not so will I do. For inLondon will I bide, either till the king make a duke of me or till Ibecome the Lord Mayor. For I be resolved to rise in the world. And thefirst step toward it is to be resolved; yea, and to be determined; andto look Dame Fortune full in the face and to say to her, 'Play notricks on me. '"

By this time he was come up with a belated carrier who, since his cartwas empty and he upon his return journey, dared to be upon the road atnight. There was no moon, and in the starlight Walter Skinner could seebut imperfectly. "And who art thou?" he demanded loftily, "that thoushouldest creak and rumble along over the road and block the way of arising man? The sun doth rise, and why not I? Only the sun riseth notin the middle of the night, and neither will I. Nay, verily, but I willwait to rise till I be come to London town. And so I bid thee, whoeverthou art, make place for me that I may pass thee upon the road. "

The carter, wondering much who this drunken madman might be, made noanswer but drove his creaking vehicle forward slowly as before, and inthe middle of the highway. Behind him, and at the tail of the cart, followed Walter Skinner with equal slowness. For some moments he saidnothing more as, with closed eyes and heavily nodding head, he rodealong. Then he roused himself. "Stop!" he called fiercely. "Stop, Isay. I will go to bed in thy wagon or cart or whatever it may be, whichI cannot see for want of light. "

"I carry not passengers for naught, " observed the carter, civilly. 

"Yea, but thou wilt carry me, " retorted Walter Skinner. "I tell thee Iserve the king. Why, the prior of St. Edmund's did give me a horse whenmine own was gone, and wilt thou refuse me a bed? It shall go hard withthee, varlet that thou art, if thou dost. I be ready to sink fromweariness. Lend me a hand down and into thy cart; lead thou my horse, and so shall we proceed, I at rest as becometh the king's man, and thouserving me, thy proper master. "

The carter was slow of wit, and, as most men did, he trembled at themention of the king. He therefore did as he was requested, and WalterSkinner was soon bumping along the road, oblivious to all hissurroundings. In the cart he might have remained until he reached St. Albans, but that, just at dawn, he had a frightful dream. He was againat Dunstable, and the landlord of the Shorn Lamb was about to deliverhim to the king who stood, in his dream, a hideous monster with hornsupon his head. In a shiver of dread he awoke. The cart was standingstill, and, at the side of the road, reposed the carter overcome bysleep. By his side lay his drinking-horn. With trembling limbs WalterSkinner climbed down from the cart. Then, seizing the carter's horn, heuntied his horse, which was fastened to the tail of the cart, andmounted; took from the horn a long drink, and once more set out at afurious pace which shortly became once more a slow one. Pausing onlylong enough at St. Albans to procure breakfast for himself and a feedfor his horse, he continued on to London which he reached late in theafternoon. But he did not go in at New Gate, for, making a sharp turnat St. Andrew's, he went south till he came to Fleet street, when, turning to the left, he entered the city through Lud Gate. Clad in hisscullion's garb, and with his face flushed from drink he presented astrange appearance as he permitted his horse to carry him whither hewould through the narrow streets. 

"Here be people enough, " he said to himself, "and yea, verily, here benoise enough. But I will stop all that when I be Lord Mayor. What!shall mine ears ring with vile din? If so be I would speak to my horsecould he hear me? Nay, that he could not. When I be Lord Mayor no smithshall strike on anvil in my presence. And when I pass by, let thecarpenters cease to drive their nails; let all the armorers cease theirhammering; let the coopers forbear to hoop their casks; and then can Igather my wits together, which is more than I can now do. "He was right as to the din; for here in these narrow lanes thecraftsmen lived and worked. Each one had his tenement of one room aboveand one below. In the one below he worked, or in the street, and in theroom above he dwelt with his family. 

As he went uncertainly up one of these narrow lanes and down another, leading north or south out of Cheapside, as the case might be, therabble began to gather about him and to bait him with jeers of varioussorts. 

"Why, how now!" he exclaimed, when he had once more come intoCheapside. And he put on his fiercest air, which sat strangely enoughon one clad as a scullion. "Do ye gibe and jeer at me who am servant tothe king? What know ye of young runaway lords and Saxon serving-men?And the perils of a long way, and the keeper of the Shorn Lamb? I couldopen your eyes for ye, if I thought it worth my while. But ye be allbase-born knaves--"

The last words were but out of his mouth when a strong hand jerked himto the ground. And, not seeing what he did, as he struck fiercely out, his clenched fist landed on the chest of the warden who was passing, and Walter Skinner was promptly seized and about to be haled off topunishment. 

Cheapside was the principal market-place of London. It was broad, andbordered on each side by booths or sheds for the sale of merchandise. Asudden disturbance attracted the attention of the bailiff who heldWalter Skinner. And, even as he turned his head to look, the very manthat had dragged Walter Skinner from his horse detached the little manfrom the grasp of the careless officer, and bade him flee. "Flee away, thou half-drunken scullion, " said his liberator. "Thou dost lack thywits, and so I would not have thee also lack thy liberty. "

Now Walter Skinner was in that condition when, although he could notwalk straight, he could run. And away he went, his first impetuscarrying him well down into Bow Lane, which opened from Cheapside tothe south, where he speedily brought up against a curb post and fellinto the gutter. His appearance was not improved when he rose, but hestarted again, and took this time, not the curb post, but a stoutfarmer. The farmer instinctively bracing himself to meet the shock ofWalter Skinner's fall against him, no harm was done; but he whirledround, grasped the little terrified rascal by the shoulder, and hurriedhim into the adjacent inn yard. "Had I been an old woman or a youngchild I might have been sprawling in the gutter, " he began severely, "and all because of thee. What account givest thou of thyself?"

"Thou art but a yeoman, " returned Walter Skinner, disdainfully. "Anddost thou ask me to account to thee? Account thou to me, sirrah. Whatdidst thou in the street standing there like a gutter post to obstructthe way of passengers in haste? But for thee I had been well sped on myway. "

The farmer heard him in amazement. Then he said: "I do perceive thatthou art a fool; and with fools I never meddle. " And seizing him oncemore by the shoulder, he thrust him into the street. "Speed on thy way, little braggart, " he said, "even till thou comest to thy master, whomust be the Evil One himself. "

Walter Skinner sped away, by degrees slacking his pace till, after muchwandering, he came to a low public house on Thames Street, where heslipped in, hid himself in a corner, and went fast asleep. It was noonof the next day before he was discovered and routed out by a tapster. "This be no place for a scullion, " said the tapster. "Get to thyduties. "

"I be no scullion, " retorted Walter Skinner, indignantly. "Till now Iwas the king's man with good hope to be a duke or the mayor of London. "

"I go to tell master of thee, " returned the tapster. "And he will setthee to scour knives in a trice. "

The tapster was as good as his word, and Walter Skinner, much againsthis will, was soon at work. "Here be another degradation, " he mutteredover his knife blades, "and I stand it not. I be not so mean-spiritedas to labor, nor to do the bidding of other men who should do mine. " Sosaying, he stole from the kitchen and the house into the streets, wherehe became a vagabond, and so remained, along with thousands of otherslike unto him. 

Meanwhile Hugo and Humphrey and old Bartlemy were having troubles oftheir own. The places in London suitable for them to stop at which oldBartlemy knew proved to be known to him by report only. And, lackingthe present help of him whom Humphrey was pleased to call Bartlemy's"friend to his counsel, " the whole party soon knew not where to go; forthe old man had lost the energy with which he had escorted them toLondon, and seemed to have sunk back into the semi-helpless mixture ofshrewdness and credulity which he appeared when Hugo and Humphrey hadfirst met him. One thing, and one only, seemed to engross most of hisattention, and that was Humphrey's mole. And he was ever prating of thefortune it was sure to bring him. 

"Lad, " said Humphrey at last, when they had been two days in the town, "if we are to come safely off we must be rid of him. The gumming up ofthe horses' manes and the braiding of their tails have already made theinnkeeper look strangely at us. Had he not set it down as the trick ofsome malicious groom, it had been worse for us. And I do fear the oldman's babbling tongue. I will sound him to see how much will contenthim, and perchance from thy pouch and mine the sum may be made up. "

Old Bartlemy was growing weary of his woman's dress, and weary ofhovering around Hugo in the assumed capacity of his nurse. He was notin his apartment when Humphrey went to seek him, and further searchrevealed the fact that he was not in the house. So, somewhat disturbed, Humphrey went forth to find him, taking with him in his bosom Hugo'spouch as well as his own. The inn where they were now stopping was theWhite Horse in Lombard Street, and as Humphrey issued forth into thestreet he knew not which way to turn. "The old nurse did go southtoward the waterside, " volunteered a groom, who observed Humphrey'shesitation. "She seemeth like one that lacketh wit, and so I did keep awatch upon her till she went beyond my sight. "

Humphrey flung the groom a penny and went south himself at a good gait. "If he be not at some public house I shall find him at a cock-fighting, no doubt, " said Humphrey to himself. It was now the second day of Julyand clear and warm. The streets were full of hucksters having for sale, besides their usual wares, summer fruits and vegetables. But to alltheir cries Humphrey turned a deaf ear as he pushed impatiently on, keeping a sharp lookout for old Bartlemy. And what was his amazement tocome upon him at last at the river side clad, not as the nurse, but inhis own proper character. 

"How now!" exclaimed Humphrey, with a frown. "Where is thy woman'sgarb? And what meanest thou to cast it aside in this manner?"

The old man peered up at him with a sly look on his face. "Ay, thoumayest storm, " he said; "but if I be tired of woman's garb, what isthat to thee?"

"Why, this, " returned Humphrey. "Thou dost endanger our heads by thischange. "

The old man shook his head and smiled a silly smile. "Nay, " he madeanswer. "I would not endanger thy head, for that would endanger themole upon thy nose, and so my fortune. Thou doest me wrong. "

Humphrey looked at him attentively and saw that a temporary weakness ofmind due to his age had overtaken him. So he said in a soothing tone:"Where didst thou leave thy nurse's garb? I pray thee put it on again. "

Again there came the sly look over the old man's withered face. "I doknow where I did leave it, " he said; "but I put it not on again. Thefriend I have to my counsel did bid me put it on, and I did obey him, for he is a magician. But I like it not, and I will wear it no more. Why, look thou, " he continued earnestly. "When I wear it I must remainwith the young lord, and be not free to consort with other men, and seeand hear all that goeth on. Wherefore I will wear it no more. "

Humphrey looked at him in despair. Then he said with assumedcheerfulness: "I will now make thy fortune for thee. So mayest thoureturn to the wood while we journey on. "

Old Bartlemy, as he listened, smiled with the delight of a child. "Saidnot the fortune-teller truly?" he cried. "And how much is my fortunethat thou wilt make?"

"Why, that I hardly can tell, " returned Humphrey. "What callest thou afortune?"

Old Bartlemy looked at him craftily. "The friend to my counsel did sayone hundred and fifty gold pieces, and that will pay for thedisguises. "

"No less?" asked Humphrey. 

"Nay, " returned old Bartlemy. "If thou dost leave me, I may never seethe mole upon thy nose again. Therefore pay to me the one hundred andfifty gold pieces before I ask thee more. For the friend to my counseldid say, 'Take no less, and as much more as thou canst get. '"

"Thou art hard to content, " said Humphrey. "But come thou to thenearest reputable inn, where we may be unwatched, and I will pay tothee the one hundred and fifty gold pieces which thou dost require. Should they of the street see thee receive it, thou wouldst not keep itlong. "

The old man, with a crafty shake of the head, followed along inHumphrey's wake. "I have the wit to keep my fortune, " he said. "No manmay wrest it from me. "

Without further words Humphrey led the way, his mind full of anxiousthoughts as to how he was to get himself, Hugo, and the horses awayfrom the White Horse in Lombard Street without rousing suspicion whenthe mule of old Bartlemy was left behind and the old man himself in hischaracter of nurse was missing. He was still busily thinking when theycame to a respectable little inn called the Hart. Turning to oldBartlemy, who was following close behind, he said, "Here do we stoptill I pay thee what thou hast asked. "

Old Bartlemy said nothing, but he rubbed his hands together in delight, and kept so close to Humphrey that he almost trod on his heels. 

"Now, " said Humphrey, when they were alone and the old man had beenpaid, "I ask thee this grace, Bartlemy. Wilt thou not once more put onthe nurse's garb and come back with me to the White Horse till I canpay the reckoning and get away? After that thou mayest cast it asideand wear it no more. "

"Nay, " replied old Bartlemy, jingling the gold pieces and looking atthem with gloating eyes. "Nay, I will put on woman's dress no more. "

"Not if I pay thee to do so?"

"Nay. I have here my fortune. What have I need of more?" And he satdown obstinately and became at once absorbed in counting over his goldpieces. 

Humphrey, seeing that nothing was to be gained, and anxious for Hugo'swelfare, at once left the room and the house and set out for the WhiteHorse. 

CHAPTER XXIV

Through the same crowded streets, and entirely unmindful of the peoplewho jostled him, Humphrey mechanically pushed his way on his returnjourney. How should he and Hugo get away from the White Horse? He knewvery little of the world, but this much he knew, that for them toattempt to leave with the old nurse missing would be to thoroughlyarouse the suspicion which, so far, was half dormant. 

"I will pay the reckoning now, " he said to himself as he entered theinn yard. "And then we must do as we can to give them the slip. I knownot why, but dreams be slow to come in this town. I would we weresafely out of it. "

He had but just paid it, and the innkeeper was about to inquireconcerning his departure, when a great excitement arose. One of thefrequent fires, for which the London of that day was noted, had brokenout. 

"A fire, sayest thou?" cried Humphrey. 

"Yea, " answered a groom, bursting into the bar. "A fire, master! afire!"

Away ran the groom followed by the master. And Hugo coming down at thismoment, Humphrey hurried to him. "Make haste, lad!" he cried. "Comewith me to the stables. We must e'en serve ourselves and get out thehorses and be off, ere the fire abate and the innkeeper and the groomscome back. "

Hugo wondered, but said nothing, for he saw that Humphrey was greatlyexcited. And with despatch the horses were saddled and led out. "Iwould not that people lose their homes unless they must, " saidHumphrey, when they were safely away; "but the fire hath saved us, andI warrant thee we pay not one hundred and fifty gold pieces for thesaving neither. "

"Didst pay so much?" asked Hugo. 

"Yea, lad, " answered Humphrey. "It seemeth the 'friend to his counsel'did set the price he was to ask, and nothing less would content him. Hedid even hint at more. "

"And how much remaineth?" asked Hugo. 

"But fifty gold pieces, lad. We be now near our journey's end. Mayhapthey be enough. "

"Yea, " replied Hugo, thoughtfully. "I must not go to the priory of theHoly Trinity unless I have great need. So said my uncle to me. "

"And where is that, lad?"

"Here in London. It is a powerful and wealthy priory, but my uncle didsay it is as well to pass it by if I can. "

"Mind thou thine uncle, lad. But whither go we now?"

"To Dover. Then do we take ship to France. "

They had now come to the new London bridge which was of stone. Over itthey went, and had just started on their journey from its southern endwhen, in haste, old Bartlemy, clad as the nurse, arrived at the WhiteHorse. He had slowly and laboriously counted his gold pieces threetimes before it occurred to him that one hundred and fifty of thesetreasures was no great sum. And that, if he did as Humphrey hadrequested, he would be able to add other gold pieces to his store. Thusthinking, he had repaired to the hiding-place of his disguise, put iton, and set out. 

At the same moment of his arrival the innkeeper came back, and a littlelater the grooms began to straggle in. 

Old Bartlemy, however, paid no attention to who came in or who wentout. His sole concern was to find Humphrey. Not succeeding, he appealedto the innkeeper to know what was become of him. 

"Why, that I know not, " replied the innkeeper, indifferently. "Mostlike he hath not yet returned from the fire. "

Impatiently old Bartlemy, forgetting that he was a woman, and nurse toa young lady of the better sort, sat down in the inn yard upon a bench. And ever and anon as no Humphrey appeared he got up and mingled withthe knots of other men standing about, only to return to his seat. Finally he could restrain himself no longer, but eagerly began toinquire of all newcomers as to the whereabouts of Humphrey. Now whilehis were questions which no man could answer, they were put in such amanner as to make men stare curiously upon him. For they were suchquestions as one man would ask of another, and not the timid inquiriesof an ignorant old woman. Finally, one of the bystanders more daringthan the rest advanced, and boldly turned back the hood of the head-rail, letting it hang down over his shoulders, and the head of an oldman was revealed. A murmur of surprise and expectation now ran throughthe crowd, and the same bold hand bodily removed the head-rail and therobe beneath it; and there stood old Bartlemy in his gray woollentunic, his legs bare from the knees down, and his feet encased in skinshoes reaching to his ankles. 

"Well done, mother!" cried the bold revealer of his identity. "And nowdo thou tell us speedily who is this esquire Humphrey whom thouseekest. Mayhap he is as little an esquire as thou art an old woman. "

Bartlemy looked from face to face, but he answered nothing. 

At this moment a groom came running from the stables. "Master! master!"he cried, addressing the innkeeper, "the horse of the esquire Humphreybe gone. "

"Gone, sirrah!" repeated the innkeeper. "And whither is he gone?"

"Why, that I know not, master. I only know that the horse of the younglady did bear him company. But the mule of the nurse is still there, wherefore there is no thievery, since he did take but his own. "

The bystanders now crowded more closely around Bartlemy, with theinnkeeper at the front as questioner. "Tell us truly, old man, " saidthe innkeeper, threateningly; "who is this esquire Humphrey, and whois the young lady that beareth him company? Make haste with thineanswer, or it shall be worse for thee. "

"Why, " replied old Bartlemy, slowly, as his gaze wandered from face toface, "the esquire is the false priest from Oundle, and the young ladyis his novice. "

At this reply a man from the rear elbowed his way to the side of theinnkeeper. "I know not how it may please thee, " he said, "but, on theWatling Street by the meat market two days and more agone, a man with abailiff to his help did stop a priest and his novice. And he did actlike a madman when he did discover that he had stopped the wrongpersons, and prated of a reward from the king which he must lose. "

Old Bartlemy grinned as he listened. Seeing which the innkeeper pouncedupon him. "Were these the priest and his novice?" he asked fiercely. 

"Yea, verily, " answered old Bartlemy, proudly. "And they would havebeen caught but for me. And now I know not whither they be gone, " headded disconsolately. "And perchance I shall see them no more; norshall I see the mole on the nose of the good Humphrey more; and so, farewell to the fortune it might bring me. "

"And who is the young lady?" said the innkeeper, with a fierce look. 

"Why, she be a fine lad, " replied old Bartlemy. 

The innkeeper reflected amid a low hum of comment. Then he turned onthe man who had told him of the priest and his novice. "Thou sayest theking hath a reward for this priest and his novice?" he asked. 

"Yea. "

"And who be they?" asked the innkeeper. 

"They are like to be as little priest and his novice as they be esquireand young lady. Who be they, I say?"

"I had speech later with the bailiff, and he did say that the priestwas a Saxon serving-man, and the novice was the young lord, JoscelineDe Aldithely, escaping to his father. "

"After them! after them!" cried the innkeeper, furiously. "They be aprize!"

In the hurly-burly and din that now arose old Bartlemy slipped out tothe stables, got possession of his mule, and rode off unnoticed. 

There were in the London of this time many great town houses of thenobles. And that of Lord De Launay was situated in Lombard Street, notfar from the White Horse. To it he went riding, at this moment, with asmall retinue in livery. He looked in surprise at the commotion beforethe White Horse, and beckoning a retainer he said, "Find me the meaningof this uproar. " Then he rode slowly on to his home. 

He had but entered the great square courtyard when the retainer came inon a gallop. "Your lordship, it be this, " he said. "They have but juststruck the trail of the young Lord De Aldithely and will presently runhim to earth, hoping for the reward offered by the king. He rideth nowdisguised as a lady, and the serving-man rideth as his esquire. "

Now Lord De Launay was he who in the guise of a scullion had set WalterSkinner free, and all for the friendship he bore Josceline's father. Socalling up twenty of his men-at-arms he sent them in pursuit. "No doubtthey ride to Dover, " he said. "Make haste to come up with them. Bid theyoung lord cast aside his woman's garb, and stay ye by them as anescort on the road. Leave them not till they be safely aboard ship andoff to France. "

The men-at-arms of Lord De Launay were of the best of that time, beingboth bold and faithful, and their master stood but little in awe of theking. Not that he openly flouted the king's authority, but that, at alltimes, he dared to pursue the course that seemed to him best. And thishe could do for two reasons; he pursued it quietly, and the king felt alittle fear of him. Moreover, the king did not discover how much heowed to him for the thwarting of his plans. Else, powerful noble thoughhe was, Lord De Launay would have been punished. 

Meanwhile, Hugo and Humphrey were making the best of their way, andstopping not to look to the right hand nor to the left. After themgalloped the men-at-arms, and not many miles out of the city theyovertook them. 

Upon their approach the fugitives gave themselves up as lost. "Lad, "said Humphrey, despairingly, "we have done our best, and we be taken atlast. No doubt these be the king's men-at-arms that ride so swiftlyupon our track. See how they be armed, and how their horses stride!"

Hugo looked over his shoulder, and his face was pale. But there was noregret in his heart for the attempt he had made to save Josceline, eventhough the king's dungeon seemed now to open before him. He saidnothing, and a moment later the men-at-arms swept up and surroundedthem, their leader saluting Hugo, much to the boy's surprise. "My lordbids thee cast aside thy woman's dress, " said he, "and ride in thineown character. "

"And who art thou? And who is thy lord? And wherefore art thou come?"demanded Humphrey, bravely, as he spurred his horse between Hugo andthe man-at-arms who had spoken. 

The man-at-arms laughed. "I see thou hast cause to dread pursuit, " hesaid. "And, in truth, we did pass some vile knaves riding fast toovertake ye. One and all they do hope for the king's reward, for theold man at the White Horse hath betrayed ye. "

Closer to Hugo's side Humphrey reined his horse, and the captain of themen-at-arms laughed louder than before. "Why, what couldst thou do forthe lad against us?" he said. "And yet, thou art brave to try. But putaway thy fears. Lord De Launay is, as thou shouldst know, the swornfriend of Lord De Aldithely, and he hath sent us to overtake ye and tocarry ye safe to the ship at Dover. So let us on and set a merry pacefor these knaves that would follow us. But first, off with that woman'srobe, my young lord Josceline. "

"Willingly!" cried Hugo, who did not even now betray the secret that hewas not Josceline, not knowing what might come of it. And he threw offhood, cloak, and robe while Humphrey looked from the captain to the boyand back again. But without a word to the faithful serving-man, thecaptain gave the command to the troop, and immediately all were inswift motion. 

A mile was left behind them, --two miles, --and now Humphrey looked atHugo amazed. Among these men-at-arms who treated him with a respectwhich was like an elixir to him, the boy sat transformed. He heldhimself proudly, and seemed, as he sat, a part of his horse. Hishandsome eyes shone, and a genial smile parted his lips. 

"Who art thou, dear lad?" thought Humphrey. "And though that I cannottell, yet this I know, thou art the equal of any De Aldithely. " Andthen Hugo's eyes fell upon him, and they filled with a most kindlylight. 

Meanwhile the motley crowd that had started in pursuit from the WhiteHorse had become appreciably thinned upon the road. For one was norider, and was promptly pitched over his horse's head. Another, in hishaste, had but imperfectly saddled his horse, so that he was speedilyat the side of the road with his horse gone. Others had chosen poormounts that could go but slowly, being waggoners' horses and notaccustomed to any but a slow motion. 

All these, with disappointment, saw the hope of the king's rewardslipping from them, and looked with envy upon the few who passed themand vanished from their sight, with determination written on theirfaces. Yet even these were destined to failure and, before Rochesterwas reached, were fain to turn back, having seen nothing of those whomthey sought. 

But the troop of men-at-arms with Hugo and Humphrey still sped, haltingfor the night in a safe spot, and rising betimes in the morning tohurry on, until, their duty done, and the two safely aboard, theyturned back at their leisure. 

And all this time, upon the sea going down from Scotland was a shipwhich bore Lady De Aldithely and Josceline. Even in the wilds ofScotland she could not rest, knowing that no spot would remainunsearched if it should be discovered that it was Hugo Aungerville andnot Josceline who had fled to France. So she and her son had embarked, and, two days before Hugo and Humphrey, they reached Lord De Aldithely. And there they found William Lorimer and his men-at-arms, but, to LadyDe Aldithely's distress, no Hugo nor tidings of him. 

"What lad is this thou speakest of?" asked Lord De Aldithely. 

And then Lady De Aldithely told him all. "And his name, " she ended, "isHugo Aungerville. Knowest thou aught of him?"

"I should, " replied Lord De Aldithely. "Though I have never seen him, Ido know he must be the son of my cousin, Eleanor De Aldithely; for hehath her brave spirit, and her husband was Hugo Aungerville. And thelad shall be knighted or ever he arrive. For if he elude the kingsuccessfully and on such an errand, risking his own life to save thatof another, he hath won his spurs. "

Thus it was that when Hugo came welcome was waiting for him in the warmhearts of his kinsfolk. And when he had received his spurs, and Lord DeAldithely asked him what reward he could give him for saving Joscelinefrom the king's hands, the boy smiled archly upon the faithful Humphreywho stood by. "I do ask thee, " he said, "that Humphrey may be myesquire. "

And from that day Humphrey, a serving-man no longer, followed his dearlad, not only in France, but later in England, when Magna Charta hadbeen signed, and it was safe for them all to return. 

THE END