of small import now. Nathless, I thank
him for his clemency and consideration toward my wife and son. And
touching my body, I trust it may be decently interred."

"It will be laid beside your ancestors; and with every ceremony your
family may desire."

"Truly, this death is not so hard," Stafford said, with a bit of a
laugh. "You have just robbed it of its only terrors. Farewell, my
friends, farewell!"--And again he took their hands.

Turning to the headsman, who had stood motionless the while, he ran his
eyes over the stalwart figure.

"Have you been long at the trade, fellow?" he asked.

"These two and twenty years," came from behind the mask, though the man
moved not at all.

"Then you should have learned to strike straight."

"Never but once did I miss my aim," was the grim reply.

"Well, make not, I pray you, a second miss with me."

Calmly as though preparing for his couch and a night's repose, he
unlaced his doublet and took it off; and laying back his placard,
nodded to the executioner.

The sombre figure came suddenly to life, and drawing from his girdle a
pair of heavy shears he swiftly cropped the Duke's long hair where it
hung below the neck--then stepped back and waited.

"Are you ready?" Buckingham asked.

The man nodded and resumed his axe.

With a smile on his lips and with all the proud dignity of his great
House, Stafford walked to the block and laid his head upon it.

"Strike!" he said sharply.

The executioner swung the axe aloft and brought it slowly down, staying
it just ere the edge touched the flesh. There, for an instant, he held
it, measuring his distance, while the sunlight flashed along its
polished face. Suddenly it rose again, and sweeping in a wide circle
of shimmering steel fell with the speed of a thunder-bolt.

And at that very instant, from the camp beyond the town, came the music
of the trumpets sounding the fanfare of the King.

XXII

THE KNIGHT AND THE ABBOT

When the King returned, Sir John Kendale with Sir Aymer de Lacy
hastened to place in his hands the letter containing Buckingham's
statement, at the same time detailing the circumstances under which it
was made.

Richard read it very carefully, and handed it back to Kendale.

"So!" he said. "Out of the revolt comes the solution of the mystery,
even as I thought. Now, De Lacy, you see it was wise not to arrest
Darby at Lincoln."

"Aye, Sire, you were right--and I fancy it is no wiser t