him, or raise fresh suspicion by leaving him behind.  Yet he has two chances to escape even if he be guilty.  Sir John de Bury is still ill at Pontefract, and as he alone knows Flat-Nose, Darby may confidently produce Gorges; and then have him removed by a chance arrow or sword thrust during the coming campaign.  The other chance hangs upon the triumph of Buckingham and Darby’s desertion to him at the critical instant.  In such event, he can frankly acknowledge the abducting of the Countess without fear of punishment and force her to wed him.  The Tudor would be glad enough to pay the debt so cheaply.”

“Perchance Darby may force the fellow to confess that he alone is guilty,” De Lacy suggested.

“A man is not so ready to condemn himself to death,” Richard answered; “and to confess would necessitate all the details, and in the maze Darby could not escape ensnarement.”

“Might it not have been well, Sire, to detain him and dispatch a force to search Roxford?  Many a time were we near it, but then, alas, no suspicion rested upon him.”

The King shook his head.  “That might have been proper a fortnight since, but it is so no longer.  Every soldier is needed with the army now, and it would require a goodly force to reduce Roxford, if you were met with a lifted bridge; though methinks you would be received most courteously—­and find your quarry flown; if she was there, Flat-Nose has removed her since the adventure at Sheffield.”

“Your Majesty is right,” said Aymer; “I crave pardon for my ungrateful doubt.”

“Nay, nay, I do not blame you.  Only remember, De Lacy, that Richard the King is not Richard the man.  The man sympathizes with you and trusts you; but he must be the King to do you service and aid your quest. . .  Nay, do not thank me.  When we have crushed Stafford and Tudor, rescued Beatrix, and you are Earl of Clare, it will be time enough for gratefulness.”

XXI

BUCKINGHAM’S REVENGE

Three weeks from that day Richard Plantagenet, with his army, lay at Salisbury; the rebellion of Buckingham wholly quelled and the leaders fugitives with a price upon their heads.

The conspirators had perfected well their plans and at the same hour threw off the mask.  On the morning of the eighteenth, Sir Thomas St. Leger—­the King’s own brother-in-law—­the Marquis of Dorset, and the two Courtneys, proclaimed Henry Tudor in Exeter; Sir John Cheney raised the standard of revolt in Wiltshire; Sir William Norris and Sir William Stoner in Berkshire, and Sir John Browne, of Bletchworth, and Sir John Fogge in Kent.  Buckingham with all his force marched from Brecknock and set out, by way of Weobley and through the forest of Dean, to Gloucester, there to cross the Severn.  That it was his purpose to throw himself in Richard’s path, and risk a battle without waiting for a juncture with his confederates, is altogether likely.  Stafford was ever rash and foolish; and never more so, indeed, than in this present enterprise.