mined plans. I would tell Rumbald, if he came out, that I was but
holding myself ready to ride out if I were needed.

Then, as I came past the front of the house, I heard, very distinctly in
the still air, the tramp of horses far away on the hill to the north;
and I knew enough of that sound to tell me that there were at least
eight or nine coming, and coming fast.

Now it might have been the coach of anyone coming that way. The races
were at Newmarket, and plenty went to and fro, though it is true that
none had come this way all day. Yet at that sound my heart leapt up,
both in excitement and terror. What if I had made any mistake, and
enticed the King to his death? Well, it would be my death too--but I
swear I did not think of that! All I know is that I broke into a run,
and the horse into a trot after me; and as I reached the gate heard
Rumbald run out of the house behind me.

I paid him no attention at all, though I heard his breathing at my
shoulder. I was listening for the tramp and rattle of the hoofs again,
for the sound had died away in a hollow of the road I suppose. Then
again they rang out; and I thought they must be coming very near the
place he had told me of; and I turned and looked at him; but I think he
did not see me. He too was staring out, his face gone pale under its
ruddiness, listening for what very well might be the end of all his
hopes.

Then the distant hoofs grew muffled once more, though not altogether;
and, at that, Rumbald ran out into the road as he was, bareheaded; and I
saw that he carried a cleaver in his hand, caught up, I suppose, at
random; for it was of no use to him.

Then, loud and clear not a hundred yards away I heard the rattle and
roar of a coach coming down the hill and the tramp of the hoofs.

"Back, you fool," I screamed, "back!" for I dared not pull my horse out
into the road. "Throw it away!"

He turned on me with the face of a devil. Though he must have seen the
liveries and the guardsmen from where he stood, I think not even yet did
he take in how he had been deceived; but that he began to suspect it, I
have no doubt.

He came back at my cry, as if unwillingly, and stood by my side; but
never a word did he say: and together we waited.

Then, past the gate on the left, over the hedge, I caught a flash of
colour, and another, come and gone again; and then the gleam of a
coach-roof; and, though I had no certainty from my senses, I was as sure
it was the King, as