of the king clearly meant that they were to be taken to
London and held there as hostages, perhaps for years; and so not only
to ensure England against another invasion, but to further any designs
of conquest that the king might entertain. With three of the great
earls of Scotland--one of them the son of the Regent--and Douglas, the
military leader of the Scots, in his hands; and with the Earl of Dunbar
as his ally, Scotland would be practically at his mercy.

An important meeting was held at Alnwick, at which the Scottish nobles,
the Earl of Northumberland, and Hotspur were alone present, and here
matters of vital interest to the kingdom were arranged.

For six months things remained in the same state. The king's fourth
expedition into Wales had effected no more than the preceding.
Glendower was still virtually master of Wales. Cardiff had been burned
by him, with its numerous priories and convents, with the exception of
that of the Franciscans; the castle of Penmarc, and the town and castle
of Abergavenny had been burned, and other strong places captured.

The Percys remained, during this time, sullen and inactive; although
somewhat mollified by the thanks voted them by Parliament. The king, as
a reward for their services, bestowed upon them the estates of Douglas.
This, however, they treated with scorn, for as well might he have
presented to them the city of Naples or Paris; since, unless all
Scotland was conquered, they could not come into peaceful mastership of
the Douglas estates. Nor, indeed, could the king have intended it in
earnest; for he was far too politic to think of adding so great an
increase of territory to the estates of the Percys, who had already
shown their power by placing him on the throne, and who might some day
take back what they had given him, by declaring in favour of the Earl
of March.

One day in February, 1403, Oswald was summoned from Stoubes to Alnwick
and, on his arrival there, was requested to go to the earl's chamber.
Such a summons was extremely unusual. Hotspur had his own estates, and
his own retinue and following; and was, jointly with his father, warden
of the marches; and though he dwelt, generally, with him at Alnwick, he
had his own portion of the castle. Thus it was seldom that the earl had
any communication with Hotspur's knights.

Hastening to obey, Oswald found Hotspur with his father.

"I have a mission for you, Sir Oswald," Hotspur said, "on the part of
the earl a