on the impulse of the moment to fifty
nobles, and he at once despatched a number of his household to renew
the search.

Meanwhile De la Zouch, to revenge himself upon the baron for
his behaviour to him on the preceding afternoon, continued in a
well-feigned semi-unconscious state, and throughout the day he
declared himself too faint and dazed and altogether unfit to explain
Dorothy's absence. Although besieged with inquiries from early
morning, he remained obstinately deaf to all entreaties, nor was it
until the evening that he professed himself able to understand their
inquiries or returned intelligent answers to their questions.

"I was almost killed by that treacherous esquire," he whined, as he
began his explanation.

"Never mind that, tell us about Dorothy," interrupted the baron.

"I am coming to that," he replied. "No sooner were we started than I
began to suspect mischief. I could see that Manners did not want me."

"Very like," interrupted Sir Thomas dryly.

De la Zouch felt hurt by the unfeeling remark, and he looked hurt,
too, but Sir Thomas took no note of it, and the effort was futile.

"Why did you not come, Crowleigh?" he continued, changing the
expression of his countenance from anger to agony, "then all would
have been different."

It would, indeed, but not as Sir Henry implied.

"I was hindered," returned Sir Everard, highly nettled at the other's
tone and speech. "My horse fell lame with a stone in his shoe, and I
had to return."

"At Cromford he set a pack of knaves upon me," pursued De la Zouch,
with the coolest audacity. "I was almost murdered; I tried to save
her, but what could I do? They were ten to one, and whilst I fought
like a madman, Dorothy and Manners laughed at me to my face and rode
off together."

"You lie," returned Crowleigh, hotly.

"Do I?" he replied with a sneer, "then prithee what does this bespeak,
and this, and this?" and he showed in turn the scratches and bruises
on the various parts of his body.

"At Cromford?" inquired the baron. "Did you say at Cromford?"

"Aye, at Cromford, Sir George. I struggled hard to rescue Dorothy for
thee, but it was of no avail. No man can combat ten and win."

"I passed Cromford myself and saw naught of it, nor yet had any of the
villagers," said the baron severely.

"And what means this?" continued De la Zouch, pointing to the battered
hat and soiled and torn clothes. "Do not these alone prove that I am
speaking but the trut