has, it seems,
been taken for the villain called Flat-Nose, was left at the castle,
where he remained in command until my return some seven days
thereafter. I myself lodged at the Abbey of Kirkstall, that night, and
was making my adieu to the Abbot, the next morning, when this . . .
this . . . Knight"--indicating De Lacy by a motion of his
thumb--"arrived with news of the outrage. Then I hastened to
Pontefract and joined in the search, as Your Majesty knows."

"You have been most detailed as to your own movements at that time, but
very meagre as to those of your servant," the King remarked dryly.
"You left him, you say, at your castle on the morning of the abduction,
and found him there, a week later, on your return. Bethink you that is
any proof he remained there in your absence?"

"It is very true there is a wide break in my own observation," Darby
answered with instant frankness; "yet I know absolutely that he was not
beyond my own domain during my absence. It is some queer resemblance
betwixt him and this Flat-Nose. And by my faith, Sire, broken noses
and red hair are not such a rarity that Simon Gorges should be the only
one to possess them."

"That may be; but they are enough, in this instance, to put that same
Simon Gorges on suspicion, and quite to justify Sir Aymer de Lacy in
arresting you and carrying you hither; and particularly when you
scorned to offer him any explanation. For you must know, my lord, he
wears the Ring of the Boar, and what he does is in my name."

"Perchance, I was hasty, Sire, but I did not know of the Ring; it was
never shown me. And poor indeed were the manhood that would not resent
the manner of my seizure--the gyves and arrogant address of your
Body-Knight."

"Will Your Majesty ask Lord Darby," Sir Aymer exclaimed, "why this
flat-nosed Simon Gorges, as quickly as he saw me, sprang from the
window crying: 'De Lacy! De Lacy!' and fled into the darkness? If he
be innocent, wherefore such action?"

"You hear, my lord?" said Richard. "Can you explain?"

"That I cannot," Darby replied. "Perchance, Gorges has had trouble
some time with Sir Aymer de Lacy or his household; though, of course,
of that I know nothing. But I do know, Sire, that not I nor mine, with
my knowledge, had aught to do with the outrage upon De Bury and the
Countess. It would be most humiliating to have been under even an
instant's suspicion of such a crime, but to be arrested and arraigned
before one