im to escape. The king and the queen themselves
praised me for our courage, and called me a good lad and a brave
one not even to trouble our father with the knowledge of a secret
that might have made ill work for him.

"My Lord of Mortimer had not been idle. He had been before us in
seeking the king; but as good chance befell, he had a quarrel with
young Henry, the king's fiery son; and the prince was mightily
offended, and made his sire offended likewise. Wherefore Mortimer
was something in disgrace even before we got there, and when our
story was told he was called up before the king and prince. And all
our old forest rights have been restored to us--nay, have been
widened and increased, and that at the expense of Mortimer. Ye
should have seen his face when that mandate was brought forth and
duly signed and sealed with the royal seal and delivered to our
father! And the prior has been warned to take his spies from Chad,
and the prince has promised to come and visit us, and to enjoy a
week's hunting in the forest."

Bertram's breath gave out before he had well finished outpouring
his story, and the pause was filled by a great huzza, led off by
Julian, and taken up by all the company, who were hearing scraps of
like information from the men-at-arms who had conducted home the
heir.

"Our parents are constrained to remain awhile longer at court; but
I hungered to bring the news to Chad, and to hear the end of the
story."

Bertram here dismounted, and taking his brothers by the arm, led
them up to their own room, which was always their favourite haunt.

"I see that thy face is well-nigh recovered, Edred; but it stood us
in marvellous good stead. Tell me, how fared you when you parted
from us? All went well?"

"Excellent well in all truth. Not a soul accosted us by the way. We
saw him take boat to the sloop, and saw the sloop sail out of the
bay. In truth, it seems like a dream now that it is all passed. But
it was a fearful time whilst it lasted."

"Yet it has led to good. We are higher in favour with the king than
ever, and I trow it will be long ere our haughty neighbour dares to
raise his crest against us."

Bertram paused smiling, and laid his hand upon the masked door
which had kept its secret so long.

"And if it be that our gracious prince doth in very truth visit us
here, methinks that to him and to him alone will we tell the whole
of the strange story, and disclose to him the trick of the secret
cham