They wandered away some distance into the wood; but when they returned it was only Bertram and Julian who entered the gate and went up to their sleeping room.  However, as nobody at the larger entrance had seen the three sally forth, no remark was occasioned by the return of only two; and it was supposed that Edred would have retired early, since he was in somewhat battered plight, and had to recover strength for the early start upon the morrow.

When they reached their room that night, Bertram and Julian carefully locked the door behind them—­a precaution they did not often take; and when they took from the great chest their own best riding suits, they also took out Edred’s and looked it well over.

“It will fit him to a nicety,” said Bertram.  “He and Edred are almost of a height, and both slim and slightly built.  His pale face, so much as may be seen beneath the white linen, will look mightily like Edred’s in the gray light of the early morn.  This hat has a mighty wide brim—­well that Edred affects such headgear.  Pulled over his eyes, as he wore it yesterday, there be scarce a feature to be seen.  We have but to say he is something late, take him his breakfast to eat up here, and get him on to horseback whilst all the bustle is going on, and not even our father will know him.  He may ride past the spies with head erect and fearless mien, for there is not one of them but saw Edred this day, and will know at a glance who rides betwixt us twain with the white linen about his head!”

Sir Oliver had decided rather late in the day to take his lady with him.  She was in great favour always with the queen, and of late they had heard that the health of that gracious lady was something failing.  It would be a graceful attention on the part of the mistress of Chad to visit her and learn of her welfare, and it was known that the queen had considerable influence with the king, and he might well give more favourable notice to Sir Oliver’s plea were his wife to urge it upon him in response to what the lady might tell to her of their recent troubles with their haughty neighbour.

So that there was even more stir and excitement than usually attended an early morning’s start.  The sun was not yet up, and the gray dimness of the coming summer’s day enshrouded the great courtyard as Bertram and Julian descended to it with a slim figure between them clad in a riding dress similar to their own, the slouched hat drawn over the face, which face was well wrapped and muffled in white linen, as Edred’s had been the previous day.

The lady of the house came out with a look of preoccupation upon her face.  She noted that the boys were already in the saddle, and smiled.

“Always in such haste,” she said, as her own palfrey was led up.  “But, Edred my son, why didst thou not come to me to have thy hurts looked to this morn?  I was expecting thee.”

“Sweet mother, I bound them for him today!” cried Julian eagerly.  “Methought I must learn to be his leech since thou wast going with our father, and we knew that thou wouldst have much to do and to think of.  Methinks I have not done amiss.  It scarce looks as neat as though thy skilful fingers had had the care of it; but he says it feels not amiss, and that is a great thing.”