. And, you, get out my horse. Mother Agnes, bring my armour,
since I have no other squire! We'll go to the Mayor. Now, while I don my
harness, tell me all that's passed, wasting no words."

Another half-hour almost had gone by before Hugh met his father, two of
his brothers and some men riding into the market-place. They greeted in
haste but thankfulness, and something of the tale was told while they
passed on to the house of the Mayor, who, as they thought, had already
been warned of their coming by messengers. But here disappointment
awaited them, for this officer, a man of wealth and honour, was, as it
chanced, absent on a visit to Norwich, whence it was said that he would
not return for three full days.

"Now what shall we do?" asked Sir Andrew, his face falling. "It is
certain that the burgesses of Dunwich will not draw sword in an unknown
quarrel, except upon the direct order of their chief, for there is no
time to collect them and publish the King's warrant. It would seem that
we must wait till to-morrow and prepare to-night."

"Not I," answered Hugh. "The warrant is to me as well as to the Mayor.
I'll leave it with his clerk, which is good delivery, and away to
Blythburgh Manor on the instant with any who will follow me, or without
them. Come, Dick, for night draws on and we've lost much time."

Now his father tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen, for the
fear in his heart urged him forward. So the end of it was that the whole
party of them--thirteen men in all, counting those that Master de Cressi
brought, rode away across the heath to Blythburgh, though the horses of
Hugh's party being very weary, not so fast as he could have wished.

Just as the sun sank they mounted the slope of the farther hill on the
crest of which stood the manor-house backed by winds.

"The drawbridge is down, thanks be to God!" said Sir Andrew, "which
shows that no attack is feared. I doubt me, son, we shall find Acour
flown."

"That we shall know presently," answered Hugh.

"Now, dismount all and follow me."

They obeyed, though some of them who knew old Sir John's temper seemed
not to like the business. Leaving two of their people with the horses,
they crossed the bridge, thinking to themselves that the great house
seemed strangely silent and deserted. Now they were in the outer court,
on one side of which stood the chapel, and still there was no one to be
seen. Dick tapped Hugh upon the shoulder, pointing to a wind