Author: John Reed Scott
Category: Adventure
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XIX
BACK TO THE KING
The door of the Inn was barred, and with the hilt of his dagger De Lacypounded sharply. It was the host, himself, who admitted him, and as hepassed in the man touched his arm.
"May I have a word with you, my lord?" he whispered, and led the wayinto a small room in the rear. Closing the door very easily he laidhis ear against it, and then seeming satisfied came close over.
"You are from the Court, my lord?" he said softly.
"I am of the Court, but not directly from it."
"Then you do not know if His Majesty fear an uprising in the South?"
De Lacy was instantly interested, though he answered indifferentlyenough. "Uprising! Not likely. Who is so far done with life as tomeditate such folly?"
"That I think I know, sir; and it is hatching as sure as Dunstan's asaint."
"Which is anything but sure, my man. Come to the facts."
"Do you recall the two monks and the Knight you punished because of thetymbestere."
De Lacy nodded.
"After your lordship went out the Knight returned and the three heldconference together. I myself served them with wine and heard some oftheir talk--only a chance word, sir; and they were most suspicious.They spoke of ships and troops, but I could not gain the sense of it.Once they let fall the word 'Richmond' and tried to catch it back ereit were out. Then they went above to the monks' room. Your worship'sroom is next to it------"
"Good, I will go up," Aymer interrupted.
The landlord stopped him. "It will be too late, sir. They have gone."
"Diable!" De Lacy exclaimed. "Why did you not try to hear the rest oftheir talk?"
The man smiled shrewdly. "I did my best, sir. There is a spot wherethe wall in your lordship's room is very thin. I listened there, andthough I caught a sentence only now and then, yet I made it that theEarl of Richmond is to land in England with an army on the eighteenthof this present month. The Knight--De Shaunde, methinks they calledhim--comes from the Duke of Buckingham, and the two monks from LordStanley. Stanley declined to fall in with the proposals of Buckinghamand sent him warning to withdraw from the conspiracy at once, for hewas about to advise the King of Richmond's coming. So much I gathered,sir, from their conversation, though I cannot repeat their words."
"How long have they been gone?"
"Some little time, sir. They rode Southward together."
De Lacy strode to the front door and flung it open. A gust of wind andrain drove through, extinguishing the torch and blowing the smoulderingfire on the hearth into a flame. Without was a sea of darkness whichmade pursuit impossible and hopeless. Clearly there was naught to bedone till daybreak, and with an imprecation he turned away.
Verily, this night was full of surprises. First, Flat-Nose . . . then,Darby . . . and now a rebellion, with Buckingham traitor and Stanleytrue. Matters were getting complicated and required someconsideration. Of course, his first duty was to the King; to warn himof this invasion by Richmond and the insurrection in the South. Itsuperseded even his obligation to the Countess; and with the doggedfaith and discipline of a soldier he accepted the situation andprepared to act accordingly.
Haste was essential; and as two could make more speed to Lincoln than adozen, the question was whether to go himself or to dispatch trustymessengers. Each course had its advantages and defects. If he went,he would be obliged to leave Lord Darby behind and trust Dauvrey tobring him to the King. Not to go, would be to seem lax in Richard'sservice, and possibly to miss the opening moves in the campaign, whichmust necessarily begin instantly and hurry Southward, and in which hewould perforce be obliged to take part the moment he did arrive. Forwell he foresaw that Richard would have no time to devote to theCountess' affairs at such a crisis. The business of the individual,however much a favorite, must needs give place to a struggle for aKingdom and a Crown.
Yet he was loath to let Darby out of his own grasp and, for an instant,he was minded to stake all on one throw. He was firmly persuaded thatDarby could disclose the Countess' whereabouts, if she were still ofthis world. Why not put him to the torture and wring the truth fromhim? Success would excuse, nay, approve such measures. . . But tofail! Mon Dieu! No; decidedly, no! It would be folly pure andchildish. Only the long strain and his stress of feeling would havesuggested it. Then he thought of sending Darby to Pontefract and, onthe authority of the King's ring, place him in confinement there untila more favorable period. But this, too, was dismissed, and he cameback to the original problem: whether himself to hurry to Lincoln or tosend a message.
There was but one wise choice, however, as he had appreciated allalong, though he had fought against it; and now he took it but withsore reluctance. Wrapping his cloak about him, he motioned for thelandlord to unbar the door and plunged out into the storm. In the faceof the gale and pounding rain, through mud and water, he presentlyregained the house where he had left his men.
Drawing the squire aside he related the host's story and his ownpurpose of hastening on to warn the King. To Dauvrey he gave commandof the party and full instructions as to the custody of the prisonerand the course to pursue when Lincoln was, reached. Then directingthat one of the men be sent to the inn at daybreak to attend him, hereturned once more to his lodgings and retired.
Morning brought no change in the weather; and when he rode off, at thefirst touch of light, the rain was still falling with a monotonousregularity that gave small hope for betterment.
Save a shirt of Italian steel, worn beneath his doublet, De Lacy waswithout armor, only a thick cloak being thrown over his ordinaryclothes. It was a long ride to Lincoln ere nightfall, even in the bestof weather; but to make it now was possible only with the very lightestweight in the saddle and good horse-flesh between the knees. No onehorse--not even Selim--could do the journey over such roads without arest, so he left him for Dauvrey to bring; depending upon being able torequisition fresh mounts from the royal post that had been establishedlately along this highway. Nor was he disappointed. The Boar and hisown name, for he was known now throughout England as one high in theHousehold, got him quick service and hearty attention, and he made thebest speed possible under the circumstances; though it was often poorenough to cause him to grit his teeth in helpless despair and anxiety.League after league was done no faster than a walk; the horse, at everystep, sinking into the mud far above fetlock, and coming to the reliefstation completely exhausted. And all the day the rain poured downwithout cessation, and the roads grew heavier and more impassable untilthey were little else than running streams of dirty water pierced, hereand there, by the crest of a hill that poked its head out like asubmerged mountain.
But through it all, with head bent low on his breast, and bonnet pulledfar down over his eyes, De Lacy forged ahead, tarrying only long enoughat the stations to change mounts.
At mid-day half the distance had been covered, and as evening drew nearthey crossed the Trent and, presently, were out of Yorkshire. Then asnight closed about them, the lights of Lincoln glimmered faint in thefore, and shaking up the tired horses they hastened on. And at lastthe castle was reached; the guards at the outer gate, recognizing theKing's Body-Knight, saluted and fell back; and with a sigh of relief,De Lacy swung down from his saddle, the long ride over at last.
Just within the corridor he came upon Sir Ralph de Wilton, who startedforward in surprise:
"By all the Saints! De Lacy! . . . But are you drowned or in theflesh?"
"Both, methinks. Where are my quarters--or have none been assigned me?"
"Your room is next mine. Come, I will show the way; for by my faith,you need a change of raiment; you are mud and water from bonnet tospur. What in the Devil's name sent you traveling on such a night?"
"The King's business, Ralph; ask me no more at present. . . HisMajesty is in the castle?"
"Aye! and in the best of fettle," De Wilton answered good-naturedly."Here are your quarters; and that they are saved for you sh
ows yourposition in the Court. The place is crowded to the roof."
"I fancy I can thank you rather than my position--at any rate, Ralph,squire me out of these clothes; they cling like Satan's chains."
"I would I could cast those same chains off as easily," De Wiltonreplied, as he unlaced the rain-soaked doublet and flung it on thecouch. "Tell me, Aymer, did you find aught of . . . of her?"
"No and yes," De Lacy answered, after a silence, "I did not find theCountess nor any trace of her, but I saw Flat-Nose."
"The Devil! . . . And took him?"
De Lacy shook his head.
"Killed him?"
"Nor that, either--he escaped me."
"Damnation! . . . However it is better than that he die with taleuntold."
"That is my only consolation. Yet I shall kill him whene'er the chancebe given, tale or no tale."
"Where did you see the knave?"
"At Sheffield--and with whom, think you?"
"This whole matter has been so mysterious I cannot even guess," said DeWilton.
"And wide would you go of the clout if you did," De Lacy replied, as heflung a short gown about his shoulders and turned toward the door. "Itwas Lord Darby."
"Darby! Darby! . . . Mon Dieu, man! are you quite sure?"
Aymer laughed shortly.
"Methinks I am quite sure," he said. "And now I must away to the King."
"So you have come back to us at last," said Richard graciously, as DeLacy bent knee; "but I fear me, without your lady."
"Aye, Sire, without her. It is your business that has brought me."
"Pardieu!" the King exclaimed; "we gave you leave indefinite. Untilyou were willing to abandon the search you need not have returned."
"Your Majesty misunderstands. No vain notion of being needed here hasbrought me; but danger to your crown and life--Buckingham istraitor--Richmond lands this day week as King."
"So! St. Paul! So!" Richard muttered, gnawing at his lower lip. "Atlast . . . at last . . . and earlier by six months than I hadthought. . . Yet, better so; it will be ended all the sooner. . .Where did you get this news and how?"
"At Sheffield, last night."
"Last night!--When did you leave Sheffield?"
"At daybreak. The rain and darkness delayed me until then."
"By St. George! plead no excuse. It was an amazing ride in suchweather."
"I made bold to use the post horses; but it was heavy labor even forthem."
"And for you as well, my good De Lacy. This King thanks you--perchancethe next one will not," and he laughed queerly.
"It is this King I serve; not the next one."
"I believe you," said Richard, putting his hand on Aymer's shoulder."Now let me hear the story."
And De Lacy told it in the fewest words he could; making no mention ofFlat-Nose or Darby.
For a while Richard sat quiet, pulling at his chin.
"What a miserable scoundrel Stanley is," he said presently. "Herefuses Stafford because he scents failure ahead; and is ready to makecapital of a trusting friend by betraying him to his doom. For well hesees that Buckingham has gone too far to recede. I would he had stoodwith them,--his own scheming Countess and Buckingham. Then I couldhave wiped all of them out at one blow." He struck the bell. "Summonthe Master of Horse," he ordered.
"Ratcliffe," he said, when the latter entered, "Buckingham revolts onthe eighteenth; Richmond lands in England that same day. Dispatchinstantly to the Lord Chancellor for the great seal, and havecommissions of array drawn. Let messengers start with the sun to allthe royal domains and summon hither every man who can wield a sword ordraw a bow. What's the weather?"
"There is no improvement, my liege."
"It will, of a surety, have rained itself out by morning. For it tocontinue means a slow muster, and the time is all too short as it is,"the King said meditatively. "And hark you, further," he broke outsuddenly, "let word go to Lord Stanley at Lathom, this night yet, ofthis matter, bidding him instantly gather his retainers and report atNottingham."
Ratcliffe hurried away, to return almost instantly with a packet whichhe gave the King.
"From Stanley," he said. "It arrived but this moment."
Richard flashed a smile across to De Lacy.
"He moves quickly, by St. Paul!" . . . then with a touch of sarcasm:"Hold a bit, Ratcliffe; perchance our news may be a trifle old inLathom." He broke the seals and spread the parchment under the candleson the table. It ran:
"To Our Sovereign Lord the King:
"It has come to us that Henry Tudor, styled Earl of Richmond, intendsto sail with an army from St. Malo, on the twelfth day coming of thepresent month, and will adventure to land at the town of Plymouth onthe sixth day thereafter, there and then to proclaim himself King.According, will we muster instantly our Strength and proceed, with alldispatch, to meet Your Majesty at Nottingham, or wheresoever it may bewe are commanded.
"Written with humble allegiance and great haste at our Castle ofLathom, this tenth day of October.
"Stanley."
"It will be unnecessary to advise the Lord Stanley--he has alreadylearned of the matter," said Richard--and Ratcliffe hurried away. Hepassed the letter to De Lacy. "Read it. . . Now you see the depth andforesight of this man. But for your chance discovery and furious ridehe would have been the first to warn me of this danger. Note hisshrewdness: he does not mention Buckingham, but only the Tudor, his ownstep-son; and hence the greater will seem his loyalty. And by St.Paul! he bests me. I must accept his message at its seeming value; forhe will now follow it by prompt action. Yet his motive is as plain asGod's sun: he would hasten Buckingham to the block, and himself to hisdead friend's offices. Well, so be it. When I can read his purposes Ihold him half disarmed. He shall be Constable of England--have thetitle without its dangerous powers. The higher he go the further thefall when he stumble," and the dagger went down into its sheath with aclick. . . "Pardieu, De Lacy! it would seem that you are ever gettinginto my confidences. But then neither do you like the Stanley."
"So little, Sire, that I shall hope to see that stumble."
"It will be a passing grateful sight to many another also, I warrant."Then with one of those quick shifts of thought characteristic of hisactive mind: "Did you find naught of the Countess of Clare in all theseweeks?"
"I came upon a clue last night," De Lacy answered.
"And let it slip to hasten hither?"
"Not exactly; the clue will follow me here."
"Follow you? Explain."
"I found Flat-Nose in Sheffield."
"And caught him?"
"Alas! no; he escaped in the darkness, but we captured his companion.He is the clue that follows."
"Was there anything about him to show what lord he serves?"
"He serves Your Majesty."
"What, sir!--Serves me?"
Aymer bowed. "It is Lord Darby."
The King raised his eyebrows and fell to stroking his chin again; thenarose and began to pace the room.
"Pardieu, man! but you have brought a budget of surprises," he said."Are you sure it was Flat-Nose? You have never seen him."
"He fit Sir John de Bury's words as the glove the hand--my squire wasas convinced as myself."
"Give me the full details."
The King listened with a frown, but at the end he made no comment.
"Let Lord Darby be brought before me as soon as he arrives," he saidsimply. "Meanwhile you are excused from attendance till the morrow.Good night. . . By St. Paul! this Darby business is untimely," hesoliloquized. "He has some strength in Yorkshire, and it will beunwise to estrange it at this crisis. Yet appearances are dark againsthim, and if he have no adequate explanation he dies. . . But if hehave a good defence, why not accept it for the nonce? And then, afterBuckingham has shot his foolish bolt, look deeper into the matter. . .Now as to this rebellion," resuming his walk back and forth, "it willrequire six days for the seal to come from London. Therefore t
o-morrowshall the Commissioners go North and East with an order under my ownseal, and the formal authority can follow after them--they can levy inthe interval and muster later." Pausing at the window he swung backthe casement. "Parbleu! how it rains . . . it will flood every riverin England . . . and it will fight for us. I will destroy the bridgesof the Severn; Buckingham will be unable to pass; his juncture withRichmond and the Southern rebels will be prevented--and I can mass mystrength and cut them up in detail."
Then with his own hand he wrote the orders to Sir Thomas Vaughan, Riceap Thomas, and others of the royal captains and trusty Yorkistadherents in Wales and Shropshire; and lastly he indited aproclamation, wherein Henry Stafford was declared a traitor, and areward of a thousand pounds put upon his head. These finished, andconfided to Ratcliffe for forwarding, Richard sought the Queen'sapartments and remained in converse with her for an hour, but saidnever a word of the occurrences of the evening lest they disturb hernight's repose. It would be time enough in the morning for her tobegin again the old fear for her lord's life--for his crown she carednot a whit.