and, stepped within. "No need to read it; I know its
message. . . Will you bear me company, good sirs?" he asked rather as
one who invites than requests. "I promise I shall not detain you long."

For answer, both Ratcliffe and De Lacy sprang forward and offered him
their arms. The Duke shook his head.

"You are most fair and courteous, but I must walk alone--to be
supported would give ground for evil tongues to slur upon my courage.
Your simple presence will be sustenance enough."

As the procession of death came out into the courtyard, the crowd that
swayed and surged behind the men-at-arms, went quiet . . . a murmur
gathered, that swelled louder and still louder, until the proud figure
of Buckingham stepped upon the scaffold--then it ceased abruptly, and a
heavy stillness came. And beside the block, in black shirt and hose
and leaning on the long shaft of the huge axe, stood the masked
headsman, motionless and grim.

For a space Stafford glanced carelessly over the crowd; then lifted his
eyes toward the blue above him, as though fain to see the bourne
whither he was bound. And standing so, suddenly a smile of rarest
beauty broke upon his face, as if, in truth, a flash of immortal vision
had been vouchsafed of the Land beyond the sky.

Even the stern, prosaic Ratcliffe saw it thus; and in awed tones
whispered to De Lacy, "He has had that sight of Heaven which is said
comes sometimes to those about to die."

And the Duke, his vision passed, yet with the air of one who has
received the promise of content, turned to the Bishop of Bath and
dropping on one knee bared his head and bent it for the extreme
absolution. At the end, he took Ratcliffe and De Lacy by the hand.

"You have been friends at a trying time," he said, "and I thank you
from the heart." . . . He drew a chain of gold from within his
doublet: "Here, Sir Aymer de Lacy, is my George; do you return it to
the King--it may suggest to him that you should take my place."

"You are very thoughtful, my lord," De Lacy answered brokenly.

"And I am enjoined by the King," said Ratcliffe, "to assure you that
your domains shall not be forfeited or your Line attainted."

The Duke looked at the Master of Horse steadily for a moment.

"Verily, Richard is a mystery," he said. "Is he then greedy of naught
save power, that he passes thus my lands and castles?"

"Methinks there are many who misjudge him," Ratcliffe answered.

"Perchance! Yet my judgment is