my young master. Many a time and oft since she hath been at
Chartley. She takes the air in the early morning in the gardens and I
have seen her there when I drove in with my cart."

"I would that I might see her. Could I--could I go with you?"

The youth stared for a moment and then answered soberly:

"It is forbid to us to carry aught besides our wares within the gates.
And Sir Amyas is that particular that I misdoubt if he would let you
enter."

"Still I would like to try. 'Tis only for a sight of the queen. And see!
here is a gold piece that thou canst have. Do let me go with thee, Will.
Thy name is Will?"

"That is my name, sir." Will's hand closed over the gold but he still
appeared reluctant. "Well, it shall be as you wish, my young master. But
you must wear other garb than that, else you cannot enter."

"What habit shall I wear, good Will?"

"I will give thee my cloak and bonnet, master. I durst not do this if
thou shouldst want else but to look at the queen. But what harm is there
in that?"

"What in truth, Will? A cat may look at a king, I trow. When do you go
again?"

"To-morrow. Wouldst go then?"

"Ay, Will."

"Then, my master, you must be up with the lark for we start early."

"I will be ready. Then farewell until then. Thou wilt not regret thy
favor to me, Will, I promise thee."

"I hope not, master."

"Thou wilt not. Farewell till the morrow."

And Francis ran lightly back to her father to report the result of the
interview.

CHAPTER VIII

THE DELIVERY OF THE LETTERS

Will was disposed to be taciturn on the way to Chartley. Francis did not
know whether he suspected her design was more than to see Mary or not,
but summoning all the finesse of which she was mistress she made herself
as agreeable as she could, relating stories and incidents of the chase,
until long before the plain which lay between Stafford and Chartley was
crossed, Will's surliness had vanished.

The sun was an hour high when they reached their destination. Chartley,
grim and gray in the morning light, rose before them. The manor was large
and roomy, surrounded by such a high wall that none, unless he were
endowed with the wings of a bird, could scale its heights. A moat
encompassed the whole. The castle with wall and moat forming a stronghold
well suited to its present use as prison.

As they crossed the drawbridge and entered the portals Francis was
surprised to see sentinels everywhere. Her spirit sank