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 to arrest him
now."
"Not unless you would have the Countess hurried to a fresh prison--or
perchance put away altogether--ere you could hope to reach her. For be
assured, Darby has provided that instant information be forwarded if he
be seized."
"Then all I ask is permission to return forthwith to Yorkshire," said
De Lacy.
"It is granted," the King replied instantly. "Take with you a few
men-at-arms and Raynor Royk; he knows the country as a priest his
prayers. As many more as you may need draw from Pontefract or any of
our castles--the Ring will be your warrant. Depart quietly and it can
be given out that you are on our special service. Meanwhile Darby
shall be as much a prisoner as though he were already in the Tower. We
march for Exeter to-morrow; and after things grow quiet thereabouts,
and a head or two more has fallen, we shall fare back to London. There
I trust you will bring, ere long, the Lady of Clare."
An hour later Sir Aymer De Lacy and Giles Dauvrey, with Raynor Royk and
four sturdy men-at-arms, rode out of Salisbury and headed Westward.
But after a league or so they turned abruptly to the right and circling
around gained the main road to the North at a safe distance from the
town and bore away toward Yorkshire.
Had De Lacy responded to the eagerness in his heart he would have raced
all the way, nor drawn rein save to take refreshment. But no horse nor
pair of horses ever foaled could go the length of England at a gallop,
and there were none worth the having to be obtained along the way: the
army had swept the country clean of them as it marched Southward. And
so the pace was grave and easy; and though Aymer fretted and fumed and
grew more impatient as the end drew nearer, yet he never thought to
hasten their speed; knowing that by going slowly they were, in fact,
going fast. But at length, and in due season, the huge towers of
Pontefract frowned against the sky line; and presently at the name of
De Lacy, the drawbridge fell and they crossed into the courtyard.
In the small room, where first he saw the Duke of Gloucester, De Lacy
found Sir John de Bury. The old Knight was slow to rally from his
wound; and being scarcely convalescent when Richard drew in his forces,
he had been left in command of Pontefract in place of Sir Robert
Wallingford, who went with the King. But lately his strength was
coming back to him with swift pulsations and he was growing irritably
impatient of his forced inactivity and of the obligation of office
which held him stagnant while his sovereign rode to the wars. For as
yet, no news had reached this distant section of the actual happenings
in the South and the bloodless collapse of the rebellion.
"Holy St. Luke! has Richard been defeated!" De Bury exclaimed,
springing to his feet.
"Buckingham is dead and Tudor back in Brittany," Aymer answered.
"Parbleu! Stafford dead!"
"Aye--on the block at Salisbury on All-Souls-Day."
"On the block? . . . Poor fool! . . . Poor fool! . . . Come, tell me
about it. But first, what brings you hither now?"
"The Countess of Clare."
"Beatrix! You have found her?" De Bury cried.
"No--not her; but her abductor."
"And he is hereabouts?"