“Enough to make me glad I refused your wager; there is something brewing.”

“Whatever it be I hope it will come quickly,” said Sir Ralph with half a sigh.  “This is not like the old days when Edward held his state here.  Many is the time I have seen this great place bright with women’s faces and ringing with their laughter; the ramparts crowded, and scarce a shady seat but held a fair dame and gallant lover.  Where are now the sweet voices and the swishing gowns?  Gone—­maybe, forever; Elizabeth is in sanctuary a mile up yonder stream, and Edward is too young to mate at present.”

“Perchance the Duchess of Gloucester may come here and revive it all.”

De Wilton shook his head.  “Richard seems to have small love for this old pile of stone; and besides he ceases to be Lord Protector when the King is crowned.”

“In truth!” exclaimed De Lacy.  “What then will he be?”

“Duke of Gloucester and uncle to His Majesty.”

The two men looked at each other and smiled.

Neither had observed an elderly Knight in dusty riding dress and long boots hurrying down the courtyard, until he had passed them; then De Lacy sprang up and hastened after.

“Sir John de Bury,” he called; “stop and speak to a friend.”

The other whirled around.

“De Lacy!” he exclaimed; “by St. Luke, I am overjoyed to see you, I seek the Duke—­get me an audience at once.”

“Come,” said Aymer, and they hastened to the White Tower.

Just as they reached the upper landing the door of the great council chamber opened and Gloucester came out, followed by Buckingham.

“Ha, De Bury! what brings you in such haste?” Richard demanded.  “What is amiss in the North?”

“It may be much and it may be little, so please you,” said Sir John, removing his bonnet and bowing slightly.

“Follow me,” said the Duke, and descending to the second floor they entered the small room next the chapel, leaving De Lacy on guard without.

Slowly the minutes passed.  Once Aymer heard Buckingham’s voice raised as though in sharp argument.  Then it ceased abruptly, and he knew that Richard had silenced him.  A little later Stafford laughed, and this time was joined by De Bury.  At length, the door opened and Gloucester called him: 

“Summon twenty of the guard,” he said.  “Lead them hither yourself.”

At the outer door De Lacy came upon Raynor Royk.

“Twenty of the guard instantly,” he ordered.

From across the courtyard De Wilton had seen Aymer, and he was already sauntering toward him.  De Lacy motioned for him to make haste.  “It has come,” he said, as De Wilton joined him.

“Oh, has it!  Well, it took you long enough to find it, surely.  And may I ask, what has come?”

“The next move in the Duke’s game.”

“In sooth!  When—­what—­how?”

“Now, my dear Sir Ralph.  The how is yonder with Raynor Royk.  If you wish to know the what, come with me.”