d Sir Andrew when he had heard it, "back with
some of your people to Dunwich and raise the burgesses, warning them
that the King's wrath will be great if these traitors escape the land.
Send swift messengers to all the ports; discover where Acour rides
and follow him in force and if you come up with him, take him dead or
living. Stop not to talk, man, begone! Nay, bide here, Richard, and
those who rode with you to London, for Acour may return again and some
must be left to guard the lady Eve and your master, quick or dead."

De Cressi, his two sons and servants went, and presently were riding for
Dunwich faster than ever they rode before. But, as it proved, Acour
was too swift for them. When at length a messenger galloped into Lynn,
whither they learned that he had fled, it was to find that his ship,
which awaited him with sails hoisted, had cleared the port three hours
before, with a wind behind her which blew straight for Flanders.

"Ah!" said Grey Dick when he heard the news, "this is what comes of
wasting arrows upon targets which should have been saved for traitors'
hearts! With those three hours of daylight in hand we'd have ringed the
rogues in or run them down. Well, the devil's will be done; he does but
spare his own till a better day."

But when the King heard the news he was very wroth, not with Hugh de
Cressi, but with the burgesses of Dunwich, whose Mayor, although he
was blameless, lost his office over the matter. Nor was there any other
chosen afterward in his place, as those who read the records of that
ancient port may discover for themselves.

When Master de Cressi and his people were gone, having first searched
the great manor-house and found none in it save a few serving-men and
women, whom he swore to put to death if they disobeyed him, Grey Dick
raised the drawbridge. Then, all being made safe, he set a watch upon
the walls and saw that there was wood in the iron cradle on the topmost
tower in case it should be needful to light the beacon and bring aid.
But it was not, since the sun rose before any dared to draw near those
walls, and then those that came proved to be friendly folk from Dunwich
bearing the ill news that the Frenchmen were clean away.

About midnight the door of the chamber in which Sir Andrew knelt by a
bed whereon lay Hugh de Cressi opened and the tall Eve entered, bearing
a taper in her hand. For now her mind had returned to her and she knew
all.

"Is he dead, Father?" s