he does not mention Buckingham, but only the Tudor, his own
step-son; and hence the greater will seem his loyalty. And by St.
Paul! he bests me. I must accept his message at its seeming value; for
he will now follow it by prompt action. Yet his motive is as plain as
God's sun: he would hasten Buckingham to the block, and himself to his
dead friend's offices. Well, so be it. When I can read his purposes I
hold him half disarmed. He shall be Constable of England--have the
title without its dangerous powers. The higher he go the further the
fall when he stumble," and the dagger went down into its sheath with a
click. . . "Pardieu, De Lacy! it would seem that you are ever getting
into my confidences. But then neither do you like the Stanley."

"So little, Sire, that I shall hope to see that stumble."

"It will be a passing grateful sight to many another also, I warrant."
Then with one of those quick shifts of thought characteristic of his
active mind: "Did you find naught of the Countess of Clare in all these
weeks?"

"I came upon a clue last night," De Lacy answered.

"And let it slip to hasten hither?"

"Not exactly; the clue will follow me here."

"Follow you? Explain."

"I found Flat-Nose in Sheffield."

"And caught him?"

"Alas! no; he escaped in the darkness, but we captured his companion.
He is the clue that follows."

"Was there anything about him to show what lord he serves?"

"He serves Your Majesty."

"What, sir!--Serves me?"

Aymer bowed. "It is Lord Darby."

The King raised his eyebrows and fell to stroking his chin again; then
arose and began to pace the room.

"Pardieu, man! but you have brought a budget of surprises," he said.
"Are you sure it was Flat-Nose? You have never seen him."

"He fit Sir John de Bury's words as the glove the hand--my squire was
as convinced as myself."

"Give me the full details."

The King listened with a frown, but at the end he made no comment.

"Let Lord Darby be brought before me as soon as he arrives," he said
simply. "Meanwhile you are excused from attendance till the morrow.
Good night. . . By St. Paul! this Darby business is untimely," he
soliloquized. "He has some strength in Yorkshire, and it will be
unwise to estrange it at this crisis. Yet appearances are dark against
him, and if he have no adequate explanation he dies. . . But if he
have a good defence, why not accept it for the nonce? And then, after
Buckingham has shot his