d and in hideous peril, more real and
agonizing. Yet to serve her he must needs be strong and so he tried to
compose himself and rest his body. There was scanty time until
morning; but an hour of quiet now might breed a day of vigor in the
future.

Presently there came a sharp knock and Ratcliffe entered.

"Lie still," he said, as De Lacy would have risen. "I know you found
no trace of the Countess else you would not be here. Yet, perchance,
Sir John may speak or some of the scouts return with a clue. If not,
the sunlight, doubtless, will reveal what the night has hidden. The
King has retired, but he bade me say to you not to depart without word
with him. Meanwhile if any of the scouts come in they are to report to
you."

Slowly the minutes dragged themselves out. The shadows lengthened more
and more as the moon went to its rest behind the distant Craven hills.
Then of a sudden, light and shadow mingled and all was dark. Presently
a cock crowed; and the sound seemed loud as a roar of a bombard. Again
the cock crowed, and from the retainers' houses another and another
answered, until the shrill cry ran along the outer bailey and across
the wall and on down the hill to the village, growing fainter and
fainter until, at the last, it was like a far distant echo, more memory
than reality.

De Lacy turned his head toward the window, hoping for some sign of day,
but the East was black. With an impatient sigh he lay back. Was ever
man so sorely tried--so cruelly used--so choked by horrors of the
probable! Then came a troubled slumber--a tossing and a waking--that
was ended by a quick step in the corridor, and with a bound he reached
the door and flung it open.

"Sir John------" the page began, but got no farther--De Lacy was gone.

Sir John de Bury lay as when Aymer left him, but the color was coming
back to his face and his eyes were open, and he smiled very faintly in
greeting.

"He may speak?" De Lacy asked.

"A few words, Signor," the Italian answered.

Just then the King entered hastily, a long gown about him. Sir John
tried to raise his hand in salute, but Richard quickly caught the weak
fingers.

"Nay, nay, my friend," he said; "another time for that." . . . Then to
Carcea: "Has he spoken?"

"Not yet, Sire; and if it please Your Majesty, it would be well to ask
the questions so that they can be answered by a motion of the head.
The patient's strength will permit few words."

"Do you unders