m me."
This he said to Sir Richard Ratcliffe, who seemed to be in command of
the soldiers which had so suddenly appeared.

Ratcliffe put himself in advance of the guard and set out on his way to
Pomfret Castle.

Grey's and Vaughan's escorts now joined meekly in with the train of
Gloucester, and we proceeded leisurely into Stony Stratford.

I know not when I have, before that day or since, been so disgusted by
the traitorous deceit of a man as I was by Gloucester's.

So soon as Rivers and his friends had been taken off the Prince again
put on his pleasant habit. He laughed and chatted with Buckingham as
though he greatly relished his contemptible act.

As we rode along I began to form a plan by which I might inform the
Queen of the arrest of her brother and son; for I now began to fear for
the safety of her Majesty. When Gloucester dare arrest, and throw into
prison, men occupying positions which Rivers, Grey and Vaughan held, it
looked to me as though the Queen herself might be the next person to be
put under restraint. This thought was still tormenting me when we drew
rein in front of the house occupied by the little King.

When young Edward saw his uncle Richard, he came forward, and the two
embraced with a great show of affection. "Ah, your Majesty, let me be
the first member of our noble house of York to congratulate and welcome
thee on thy return homeward."

"Thanks, for the welcome, uncle," returned the King; "but for the
congratulations I cannot speak. 'Tis but a sad home-coming, when I
know that my dear father cannot be there to meet me."

"Think not of that," said his uncle. "Thou knowest that we all must
lose our fathers; the old must pass away, and the young take their
places. Thy grief, no doubt, is great; but bethink you of your duty.
Thou must be prepared to rule this fair kingdom as did thy father, with
an iron hand. A King is ever surrounded by traitors. 'Twas but this
morning that I learned of a plot against thine authority, and, though
some of those connected with the movement have, till to-day, been
friends of mine, yet was I compelled to do my duty and cause them to be
arrested. By Saint Paul! I swear I cannot yet believe them guilty;
though by their acts they have caused the dark eye of suspicion to
frown upon them.

"To whom dost thou refer, uncle?"

"Why, to those that thou wouldst least suspect," said Richard. "Thine
own uncle--Lord Rivers--thy cousin--Sir Richard Grey--an