the storm to continue. It delays us too much." He mused for
a moment and then turned to the dame suddenly.

"My good woman," he said, "have ye seen aught of a boy to-day?"

"A boy? What boy?" asked she stupidly.

"A boy of the court in page's dress. Hast thou seen him?"

"No boy have I seen this day," answered the dame stolidly. "Marry! nor
for many days for the matter of that. What did ye want with the boy?"

"We have a warrant for his arrest," said the leader. "Also one for his
father, Lord William Stafford. What think you, my good dame? There has
been foul attempt to slay the queen."

"Ye do well to say 'attempt,'" said the woman. "Elizabeth will never die
by the hand of an assassin."

"Say ye so?" asked the leader eagerly. "Good dame, how will she die?"

"Not in her bed. No hand shall be raised against her, and she dies by
misease; yet shall she not die in bed," and the old woman nodded
prophetically.

"Ask her how long the queen will live," whispered one. "The queen waxeth
in years and it may not be amiss to be prepared."

"Seek no further, sir," said Margery quickly. "Know that thou wilt never
live to see the day of her death. Thy time is nigh."

"Now a murrain on thee for that foul prophecy," cried the man starting
up, his hand on the hilt of his sword. But Master Wainwright interposed.

"No brawling, sirrah. We are on the queen's business. Thou and thy right
arm may be needed ere it be completed. Have done!"

The man sank back. Quiet fell upon them, broken only by the sweep of the
rain against the house and the fitful howling of the wind. Night
deepened, and still the storm continued. The men disposed themselves
about the hearth for their damp clothing made them chilly, and soon one
after another fell into slumber, until, after a time, all were asleep.
Then Dame Margery rose to her feet and tiptoeing to the small door opened
it, and passed out of the room.

Francis stood just within where she could hear everything that went on in
the outer chamber. She came forward eagerly as the woman entered.

"Mother," she cried, "those men must be detained here, but how? Canst
thou help me?"

"Child, I could make them sleep until the sun was high noon, but they are
about the queen's business, and I durst not."

"Good mother, tell me how, and let me do it," coaxed Francis. "I must get
to my father. O, if you have ever had a loved one, for the sake of that
one, give me the aid I ask. I am but a girl. Weak a