r," he said.

"How, for instance?"

"Why . . . just intimate casually that . . . that . . . that . . . we
would . . . you know."

"No," said Aymer, "I do not."

Ware pondered a space. "We might put them in the wrong boats--by
accident, of course."

"And have them get out the instant we get in."

"Then it passes me," said the Earl. "I have supplied the idea; it is
for you to execute it."

De Lacy shook his head. "It is too deep for me; had I a week I might
contrive a plan."

"I presume we will go back as we came," the other commented. "Marry,
what a brave pair we are!"

As they reached the landing, their barges, that lay a little way down
stream, swung around and came quickly up to the gate. The Earl's
entered first, and as he was about to proffer his hand to the Countess
to aid her to embark, the Lady Mary stepped quickly into the boat, and
giving him a smile of bewitching invitation sank languidly among the
cushions. For an instant he was taken aback; but, with a sharp glance
at De Lacy, he sprang aboard, and the oars caught the water.

The Countess watched them as they sped through the gate and away, then
turned to De Lacy with a roguish look and eyes half veiled.

"It seems, Sir Aymer, it is for you to take me back to the Hall," she
said.

XI

ON CHAPEL GREEN

On the following morning Sir Aymer de Lacy again sought the Tower; but
this time he went alone. The hour was early, yet the place was full of
life; there was to be a state council at nine, and the nobility were
assembling to greet the Lord Protector when he should arrive. For
although the young King occupied the royal apartments and was supposed
to hold the Court therein, yet, in fact, the real Court was at Crosby
Hall, where the Duke resided and whither all those that sought favor or
position were, for the nonce, obliged to bend their steps.

Indeed, at this time, Richard was, in all but name, the King of
England; and on this very day, ere the hour of noon had passed, was the
name also to turn toward him, and through the first blood shed by his
new ambition was he to progress to the foot of the throne, the steps of
which were to prove so easy to his feet.

Just in front of the Wakefield Tower De Lacy came upon Sir Robert
Brackenbury, now Constable of the Fortress, and paused for a word with
him. Then sauntering slowly toward the Chapel, he took possession of a
bench from which he could observe those who crossed the courtyar