, step aside, my Lord. And you, gentlemen."

The King motioned down to the further end of the room, as Michael came
forward.

The Archbishop stepped off the low platform, and led the way down the
floor; and the others followed.

* * * * *

Chris was in a whirl of bewilderment. He could see the King's great face
interested and attentive as the secretary said something in his ear, and
then suddenly light up with amusement again.

"Not a word, not a word," whispered Henry harshly. "Very good, Michael."

The secretary then whispered once more. Chris could hear the sharp
sibilants, but no word. The King nodded once more, and the man stepped
down off the dais.

"Prepare the admission, then," said the King after him.

The secretary bowed as he turned and went out of the room once more.

Henry beckoned.

"Come, gentlemen."

He watched them with a solemn joviality as they came up, the Archbishop
in front, the father and son together, and the two others behind.

"You are a sad crew," began the King, eyeing them pleasantly, and
sitting forward with a hand on either knee, "and I am astonished, my
Lord of Canterbury, at your companying with them. But we will have
mercy, and remember your son's services, Master Torridon, in the past.
That alone will excuse him. Remember that. That alone. He is the
stronger man, if he turned out the priest there. And I remember your son
very well, too; and will forgive him. But I shall not employ him again.
And his forgiveness shall cover yours, Master Priest; but you must be
off--you must be off, sir," he barked suddenly, "out of these realms in
a week. We will have no more treason from you."

The fierce overpowering personality flared out as he spoke, and Chris
felt his heart beat sick at the force of it.

"And you two gentlemen," went on the King, still smouldering, "you two
had best hold your tongues. We will not hear such talk in our presence
or out of it. But we will excuse it now. There, sir, have I said
enough?"

Sir James dropped abruptly on his knees.

"Oh! God bless your Grace!" he began, with the tears running down.

Henry made an abrupt gesture.

"You shall go to your son," he said, "and see how he fares, and tell him
this. And she shall have the order of release presently, from me or
another."

Again the little mouth creased and twitched with amusement.

"And I hope he will be happy with his mother. You may tell him that from
me."