k my father,
but they seek in vain. I have foiled them."

A sense of exultation swept over her, causing her to forget for the time
her father's distrust. She faced the men who entered the apartment
triumphantly.

"What seek ye?" she demanded with scorn.

"Thy father, boy, and thee," was the reply. "We know that thou hast
warned him so that he hath given us the slip. But marry! the game is but
afoot, and we the greyhounds who will bring him to bay. Of him anon. Here
is a warrant for one Francis Stafford. Art thou he?"

"I am," answered the girl haughtily.

"Then, Francis Stafford, son of William, Lord Stafford, in the name of
the queen, I arrest thee on a charge of high treason."

"Arrest thee, Francis?" cried her mother flinging her arms about the
girl. "Oh, child, why thee?"

"I was with my father at Chartley, mother," said Francis calmly. "If he
be guilty of treason, why, then so am I."

"But I knew not that thou wert in danger," sobbed the mother. "Oh,
Francis, why didst thou not go with thy father? Why didst thou not tell
him of it? Why, why?"

"I did not think of it," answered Francis simply. "I thought only of
him."

"How thou hast been misjudged," exclaimed the lady weeping bitterly. "Oh,
cruel, cruel fate that hath befallen thee!"

"Cease thy lamentation, woman," commanded the officer sternly. "Make
ready to accompany thy son to London."

"I?"

"My mother!" exclaimed Francis and her mother in one breath.

"Thou. Thou canst no longer remain here, because this Hall and its estate
are forfeited to the crown by the treason of its owner. 'Tis the queen's
command that thou dost go with thy son to London there to be immured in
the Tower. Make ready, madam. Ye two must this hour to the queen."

"But what crime have I committed?" asked the poor lady in dismay.

"I know not, madam. 'Tis the queen's command," was the reply.

"'Tis the worst of all crimes, my mother," said Francis with irony. "Thou
art too fair. 'Tis a fault unforgivable by Elizabeth."

"Hush, child," whispered the lady quickly. "Make our sad plight no worse
by thy railing."

"Stay, boy!" cried Wainwright as Francis started to leave the apartment
with her mother. "Remain where thou art. I would have speech with thee."

Wonderingly, the girl paused, and Master Wainwright, making a peremptory
motion to Lady Stafford to leave them, continued:

"Thou art too elusive to be out of my sight, young sir. Now answer these
queries. Wert thou