ith me or with the Countess?" Sir John laughed.

Upon leaving De Bury, Sir Aymer de Lacy bent his steps to Baynard
Castle, where the King had come that evening.

At the main door he encountered the Duke of Buckingham in company with
Sir William Stanley and was passing them with a courteous salutation
when Stafford caught his arm.

"Here, De Lacy," he exclaimed--and Aymer saw he was excited and angry,
"you know all the facts! Tell Sir William who is most responsible for
the crowning of Gloucester . . . who sent him message to
Pontefract . . . who joined him at Northampton . . . who has done all
the open work here in London?"

"Nay, Stafford," broke in Stanley, "be not so wrathful. Doubtless His
Majesty will be most fair and liberal in the matter. Give him time to
feel his crown."

"Time!" retorted the other. "Time! He has had time and to spare. Am
I not co-heir to De Bohun through Aleanore, Hereford's daughter, and
will Richard of Gloucester think to retake what Henry of Monmouth
abjured? By the Lord Omnipotent, let him dare it!"--and with a
fiercely menacing gesture he stalked into the courtyard, and springing
to horse rode noisily away followed by his attendants.

"His Grace appears a trifle annoyed," said De Lacy.

Sir William Stanley shrugged his shoulders. "It would seem so; yet it
were unwise to parade it. However, Buckingham was ever hasty of
temper."

"Nathless, the question was embarrassing and I would not care to answer
it before a Stanley," Aymer reflected, as he ascended the stairs to the
presence chamber.

Baynard Castle, though large and roomy for a nobleman's town residence,
was not suited to the needs of a monarch, and as the Court was about to
move from Westminster to Windsor, Richard had brought only a few of his
favorite Knights and personal attendants with him for the short time he
intended to tarry in London. When De Lacy entered the Hall, Richard
was not in presence, and lounging at ease on the numerous bancals were
some of the minor officers of the Household. He made his way by them
to join a group that was gathered about the Duke of Norfolk, when
immediately there was a touch upon his arm, and a page summoned him to
the King.

Richard was standing at an open window that overlooked the courtyard.
He turned as De Lacy entered and demanded abruptly:

"What said Buckingham and Stanley yonder?"

Aymer was too used, by this time, to Richard's ways to be surprised,
and he repea