r, he would be instantly
detected as a knave (though that honestly seemed a lesser matter to
him), if he attempted to talk medically in Sir Amyas' presence; unless
that warrior was truly as great a clod as he seemed. He determined to
risk it. He bowed.

"I can at least try my poor skill, sir," he said.

Sir Amyas instantly turned, with a jerk of his head to beckon them, and
clanked out again into the hall. There was not a moment's opportunity
for the two conspirators to exchange even a word; for there, in the
hall, stood the two men who had brought Robin in, to keep guard; and as
the party passed through to the foot of the great staircase, he saw on
each landing that was in sight another sentry, and, at a door at the end
of the overhead gallery, against which hung a heavy velvet curtain,
stood the last, a stern figure to keep guard on the rooms of a Queen,
with his body-armour complete, a steel hat on his head and a pike in his
hand.

It was to this door that Sir Amyas went, acknowledging with a lift of
the finger the salute of his men. (It was plain that this place was
under strict military discipline.) With the two, the real and the false
physician following him, he pulled aside the curtain and rapped
imperiously on the door. It was opened after a moment's delay by a
frightened-faced woman.

"Her Grace?" demanded the officer sharply. "Is she still abed?"

"Her Grace is risen, sir," said the woman tremulously; "she is in the
inner room."

Sir Amyas strode straight on, pulled aside a second curtain hanging over
the further door, rapped upon that, too, and without even waiting for an
answer this time, beyond the shrill barking of dogs within, opened it
and passed in. Mr. Bourgoign followed; and Robin came last. The door
closed softly behind him.

III

The room was furnished with more decency than any he had seen in this
harsh house; for, although at the time he thought that he had no eyes
for anything but one figure which it contained, he found himself
afterwards able to give a very tolerable account of its general
appearance. The walls were hung throughout with a dark-blue velvet
hanging, stamped with silver fleur-de-lys. There were tapestries on the
floor, between which gleamed the polished oak boards, perfectly kept, by
the labours (no doubt) of her Grace's two women (since such things would
be mere "fiddle-faddle" to the honest soldier); a graceful French table
ran down the centre of the room, very delic