apon naught was left but a silver hilt.

"Yield," said Aymer sternly, presenting his point at the man's throat.
"It is your last chance."

"I yield," said the other, hurling the bladeless hilt to the ground.
"And may the Devil get the rogue that forged this weapon! And now,
fair Knight,--for I see that your spurs are golden,--I will avow my
destination to be London, and I presume I am at liberty to proceed."

"Nay, I shall have to ask you to bear me company back to Northampton,"
said De Lacy kindly.

"How so! Am I a prisoner?"

"Only until daybreak."

"It is most unusual--but, so be it." Then he turned to his companion.
"Farewell, James," he said, "my misfortune need not affect you. I will
join you in London."

De Lacy shook his head. "He came with you, and with you he bides.
Giles, see to him."

"Truly, this is a strange proceeding on the King's highway, and with
His Majesty but a few miles distant," the other exclaimed with
increasing heat.

"Pardieu! how know you of the King's whereabouts?" said De Lacy,
scanning the man's face. "I believe you are from Northampton."

A shrug of the shoulders was the only answer.

At that moment the patrol rode up and was about to proceed when Sir
Aymer stopped him.

"You know this man?" he demanded.

The soldier came closer; and after a brief glance answered: "He is a
squire in the household of Lord Rivers, so please you; I have seen him
often."

De Lacy smiled. "So that explains your knowledge of the King. I
regret, however, that Rivers' message will not reach Edward to-night.
Nathless, I would like to know how you passed the guards thus far."

"This fellow's statement that I am of Lord Rivers' following does not
establish that I am from him now," replied the squire. "You, yourself,
saw that I struck the highway only at this spot, and that I did not
come from the direction of Northampton."

"Yet that proves nothing to my mind, except that you thought to avoid
the patrol by a detour and have failed. Come, sir, we will face
Northward, if you please; enough time has been wasted in profitless
debate."

The squire wheeled his horse to the right, as though to comply; then
suddenly driving home the spurs he cleared the road at a bound and
dashed back the way he had come.

"After him!" shouted De Lacy; and leaving Dauvrey to guard the other
prisoner, he and the patrol sped in pursuit. The squire had acted so
quickly that he had obtained a lead of at least