IN ABEYANCE

And on the morrow there was great stir and rustle and preparation.  Those lords and barons in attendance at Court who were from the vicinity went off to gather their following; and those from distant parts of the Kingdom sent commands to their constables or stewards to hasten hither their very last retainer and every man available for service with the King.

About noon Richard called his principal officers together in council to consider who were liable to join with Buckingham in the revolt.  That he had confederates of power and prestige was certain enough; for despite his oft-repeated boast that as many wore the Stafford Knot as had once displayed the Bear and Ragged-Staff of the King-Maker, and reckless as he was, yet it was not likely he would attempt to measure himself against the King—­and that King the great Gloucester—­without substantial assistance and cooperation of others of the Nobility.  Nor was it easy to fix upon these confederates.  The old, pronounced Lancastrian lords were either dead or in exile, and there was little else than general family relationship or former family affiliation, that could guide the judgment.  And the session was long and tiresome and not particularly satisfactory, for of all the names gone over, only the Marquis of Dorset and the Courtneys of Exeter seemed likely traitors, and yet it was very certain there must be many more.

As De Lacy passed into the antechamber Lord Darby came forward and confronted him.

“I have come as I gave parole,” he said haughtily.  “It is now withdrawn, and I demand that you straightway prefer your charge.”

“So be it,” said De Lacy, and bowed him into the presence of the King.

Richard eyed Darby with searching sternness, as he bent knee before him, nor did he extend his hand for the usual kiss; and his voice was coldly judicial as without pause or preliminary he began: 

“We are informed, Lord Darby, of the happenings last night in the town of Sheffield.  You have demanded to be brought before the King and have refused explanation to another.  Such is your warrant and privilege as a Peer of England.  You are accused by Sir Aymer de Lacy with being concerned in the abduction of the Countess of Clare.  What have you to answer?”

“That I am not guilty, Sire; and I defy the foreign upstart who brings the accusation.”

The King frowned.  “Be so good, my lord, as to answer our questions without recriminations,” he said sharply.  “Then, being innocent, will you explain how it was that you were in conference with the fellow known as ‘Flat-Nose,’ who was the leader of the abductors?”

Lord Darby smiled blandly.

“Naught easier, my liege.  The fellow who was with me at the house in Sheffield, last night, was not that villain but my own chief man-at-arms.”

“Has he not a flat nose and------” De Lacy broke in; but Richard
silenced him with a gesture.

“Describe this retainer of yours,” he ordered.