‘Tom Fool is a mighty coward,’ objected the marquis.

’So much the better, my lord.  He will not get me into trouble through displaying his manhood before me.  He hath besides a a face long enough for three roundheads, and a tongue that can utter glibly enough what soundeth very like their jargon.  Tom is the right fool to attend me, my lord.’

’He can’t ride; he never backed a horse in his life, I believe.  No, no, Dorothy.  Shafto is the man.’

’Shafto is much too ready, my lord.  He would ride over my hounds.  I want Tom no farther than his mother’s, and there will be no need for him to ride.’

‘Well, it is a brave offer, my child, and I will think thereupon,’ said his lordship.

All the rest of the day the marquis and lord Charles, with two or three of the principal officers of house and garrison, were in conference, and letters were written both to his majesty and lord Glamorgan.  Before they were finally written out in cipher, Kaltoff was sent for, the comb found, its contents gauged, and the paper cut to suit.

About an hour after midnight, Dorothy, lord Charles, and Caspar stood together in the workshop, waiting for Tom Fool, who had gone to fetch Dick from the stables.  Dorothy had the comb in her pocket.  She looked pale, but her grey eyes shone with courage and determination.  She carried nothing but a whip.  A keen little lamp borne by Caspar was all their light.

Presently they heard the sound of Dick’s hoofs on the bridge.  A moment more and Tom led him in, both man and horse looking somewhat scared at the strangeness of the midnight proceeding.  But Tom was, notwithstanding, glad of the office, and ready to risk a good deal in order to get out of the castle, where he expected nothing milder at last than a general massacre.

Lord Charles himself lifted foot after foot of the little horse to be satisfied that his shoes were sound, then made a sign to Caspar, and gave his hand to Dorothy.  Caspar took Dick by the bridle, and led him up to the wall near the door.  Lord Charles and Dorothy followed.  But Tom, observing that they placed themselves within a chalk-drawn circle, hung back in terror; he fancied Caspar was going to raise the devil.  Yet he knew that within the circle was the only safety; a word from Dorothy turned the scale, and he stood trembling by her side.  Nor was he greatly consoled to find that, as he now thought, instead of the devil coming to them, they were going to him, as, with the circle upon which they stood, they began to sink, through a stone-faced shaft, slowly into the foundations of the keep.  Dick also was frightened, but happily his faith was stronger than his imagination, and a word now and then from his mistress, and an occasional pat from her well-known hand, sufficed to keep him quiet.