if I had seen him.

So we waited still. I drew up in my hands my horse's bridle, not knowing
what I did, and moved round to where I could mount, if there were any
road; and, as I did it, past the gate, full in view there swept at a
gallop, first three guards riding abreast, a brave blaze of colour in
the dusky lane; then the four grey horses, with their postilions
cracking their whips; then the coach; and, as this passed, as plain as a
picture I saw the King lean forward and look--his great hat and periwig
thrust forward--and behind him another man. Then the coach was gone; and
two more guards flew by and were gone too.

I lost my head completely for the single time, I think, in all this
affair; now that I knew that the King was safe. There, standing where I
was, I lifted my hat, and shouted with my full voice:

"God save the King!"

* * * * *

I turned as I shouted; and, as the last word left my lips, I saw
Rumbald, his face afire with anger, coming at me, round my horse from
behind, with the cleaver upraised. If he had not been near mad with
disappointment, he would have struck at my horse; but he was too intent
on me for that.

I leapt forward, for I had no time to do anything else, dragging my
horse's haunches forward again and round; and with the next movement I
was across my saddle, all-asprawl, as my horse started and plunged. I
was ten yards away before the man could do anything, and struggling to
my seat; but, as I rose and gripped the reins, something flew over my
head, scarce missing it by six inches; and I saw the blade of the
cleaver flash into the ditch beyond.

At that, I turned and lifted my hat, reining in my horse; for I was as
mad with success as the other man with failure.

"God save the King!" I cried again. "Ah! Mr. Rumbald, if only you had
learned to speak the truth!"

Then I put in my spurs and was gone, hearing before me, the hollow tramp
and rumble of the great coach in front, as the King's party went across
the bridge.

CHAPTER XI

It was three months later that I sat once more, though not for the first
time since my adventure at the Rye in Mr. Chiffinch's parlour.

* * * * *

Of those three months I need not say very much; especially of the
beginning of them, since I received then, I think, more compliments than
ever in my life before. My interviews had been very many; not with Mr.
Chiffinch only, but with