Paul shouted to them to take care the prey did not escape by way of one of the many crooked stairways, with which doubtless he was familiar enough; and he, seeing that all hope of escape through the house was now at an end, and knowing that he should inevitably be overpowered by numbers if he waited longer, suddenly sprang backwards and rushed to the window.  Although it was high above the ground, and the stones below were both slippery and hard, he vaulted out like a deer, landing on the prostrate body of his companion, who received him with an execration and a groan; and as Paul rushed after him, intensely chagrined at this unexpected escape, he was only in time to see him dash off into the forest, or rather to hear his steps crashing through the thicket, until the sound of a horse’s steady gallop showed that he was off and away.

The whole household was crowding into the room in various stages of dishabille.  The terrified Joan and the disappointed Paul had each to tell their tale.  But whilst the parents bent over their daughter, soothing her terrors and calming her fears, Jack drew toward Paul and his comrade, and said in low tones: 

“Simon Dowsett is not a foe to be set at defiance.  I would counsel you to take horse with the first gleam of day, and gain another parish or the protection of London, at least, before he has recovered from his discomfiture.  I say this not without regret, as I would fain keep you over our feast today; but—­”

The comrades exchanged glances, and spoke in one breath: 

“We understand:  you have spoken kindly and well,” they said.  “If you can have the horses in readiness, we will ride off with the first streak of dawn.  It will be best so for all.”

And though Joan Devenish and Will Ives were made man and wife that very morning, Paul and the prince were not there to grace the ceremony, but were far on their way to London.

Chapter 5:  In Peril.

“Edward, I am glad to see you back.  Where have you been these many hours?  I have been watching and waiting, hoping you would come before nightfall.  I am very anxious.  I much fear that we are suspected—­spied upon.”

“Nay, now, what makes you think that?” asked young Edward, as he let himself be drawn within the small attic bedchamber in the river-side inn, which he and his comrade had shared ever since they had arrived in London; now some three weeks back.  Paul had closed the door before he began to speak, and now stood with his back against it, his face looking pale and anxious in the fading light of the winter’s day.

“What makes me think it?  Why, more things than one; but mainly the fact that the peddler we bought our clothes of is here.”

Edward smiled and laid a hand on Paul’s shoulder.

He was growing used to the anxieties of his elder comrade, who deeply felt his responsibility in having the heir of England under his care, and had begun to treat his words of warning with some lightness.