the
Countess nor any trace of her, but I saw Flat-Nose."

"The Devil! . . . And took him?"

De Lacy shook his head.

"Killed him?"

"Nor that, either--he escaped me."

"Damnation! . . . However it is better than that he die with tale
untold."

"That is my only consolation. Yet I shall kill him whene'er the chance
be given, tale or no tale."

"Where did you see the knave?"

"At Sheffield--and with whom, think you?"

"This whole matter has been so mysterious I cannot even guess," said De
Wilton.

"And wide would you go of the clout if you did," De Lacy replied, as he
flung a short gown about his shoulders and turned toward the door. "It
was Lord Darby."

"Darby! Darby! . . . Mon Dieu, man! are you quite sure?"

Aymer laughed shortly.

"Methinks I am quite sure," he said. "And now I must away to the King."

"So you have come back to us at last," said Richard graciously, as De
Lacy bent knee; "but I fear me, without your lady."

"Aye, Sire, without her. It is your business that has brought me."

"Pardieu!" the King exclaimed; "we gave you leave indefinite. Until
you were willing to abandon the search you need not have returned."

"Your Majesty misunderstands. No vain notion of being needed here has
brought me; but danger to your crown and life--Buckingham is
traitor--Richmond lands this day week as King."

"So! St. Paul! So!" Richard muttered, gnawing at his lower lip. "At
last . . . at last . . . and earlier by six months than I had
thought. . . Yet, better so; it will be ended all the sooner. . .
Where did you get this news and how?"

"At Sheffield, last night."

"Last night!--When did you leave Sheffield?"

"At daybreak. The rain and darkness delayed me until then."

"By St. George! plead no excuse. It was an amazing ride in such
weather."

"I made bold to use the post horses; but it was heavy labor even for
them."

"And for you as well, my good De Lacy. This King thanks you--perchance
the next one will not," and he laughed queerly.

"It is this King I serve; not the next one."

"I believe you," said Richard, putting his hand on Aymer's shoulder.
"Now let me hear the story."

And De Lacy told it in the fewest words he could; making no mention of
Flat-Nose or Darby.

For a while Richard sat quiet, pulling at his chin.

"What a miserable scoundrel Stanley is," he said presently. "He
refuses Stafford because he scents failure ahead; and is ready to make
capital of