In spite of Cuthbert’s reassuring words, the duke and duchess were greatly alarmed at the news of King Richard’s disappearance, although indeed consoled to find that their previous fears, that he had been drowned in the storm or captured by the Moorish corsairs, were unfounded.

They now requested from Cuthbert the story of what had befallen him since he left the king; and this he related at some length.  The duke was greatly interested, and begged Cuthbert at least to remain at his court until some news might arrive of King Richard.

For a month Cuthbert tarried at the castle of the Duke of Saxony, where he was nobly entertained, and treated as a guest of much honour.  Cnut and the archers were delighted at the treatment they received, for never in their lives had they been so royally entertained.  Their Saxon tongue was nigh enough akin to the language spoken here to be understood; and their tales of adventure in the Holy Land rendered them as popular among the retainers of the duke as their master became with the duke and duchess.

CHAPTER XX.

Under the greenwood.

At the end of a month, news came from England that Sir Baldwin of B,thune had returned there, bearing the news that the King had been arrested at Gortz, only two days’ journey north of the Adriatic—­that he had been recognized, and at once captured.  He had offered no resistance, finding indeed that it would be hopeless so to do.  Sir Baldwin had been permitted to depart without molestation.  He believed that the folk into whose hands he had fallen were retainers of the Archduke John.  This news, although sad in itself, was yet in some degree reassuring to the duke and his wife; for they felt that while the followers of Conrad of Montferat would not hesitate to put King Richard to death should he fall into their hands, the Archduke John would not dare to bring upon himself the indignation of Europe by such treatment of his royal captive.  Cuthbert at once determined to return to England to see Sir Baldwin, and to ascertain what steps were being taken for the discovery of the prison in which King Richard was confined, and for his release therefrom; and also to establish himself in his new dignity as Earl of Evesham.  Therefore, bidding adieu to the duke and duchess, he started north.  The duke furnished him with letters of introduction to the princes through whose countries he would travel; and again crossing the Rhine, he journeyed through the territories of the Dukes of Cleves and Brabant, and reached the mouth of the Scheldt without interruption.  There taking ship, he sailed for London.