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The name was a fictitious one one that Joseph had set down upon the spur of the moment, his intention being to send a messenger that should outstrip Sir Crispin, and warn Colonel Pride of his coming. "It is well," was Crispin's only comment. He, too, was grown calm again and fully master of himself. He placed the letter carefully within the breast of his doublet.
He had thought, but he was far from having chosen between Scotland and France, when Crispin now greeted him, not without constraint. "Jocelyn," he said, speaking slowly, almost humbly. "In an hour's time I shall set out to return to Marleigh to fulfil my last night's promise to you. How I shall accomplish it I scarce know as yet; but accomplish it I shall.
I could hardly count them in three days; and with them could be bought shoes for our feet, a hat for my head when the sun shines hot, a big umbrella for the rain, and food, and clothes for you and mother, and " He became silent and thoughtful again. "Now I'm sorry that I didn't steal!" he soon exclaimed. "Crispin!" reproached his brother. "Don't get angry!
His cautious, timid nature whispered to him that perchance he should know more of this matter ere he bound himself so irrevocably. But Crispin, noting the hesitation, stifled it by appealing to the lad's fears. "Resolve yourself," he exclaimed abruptly. "It grows light, and the time for haste is come." "I swear!" answered Kenneth, overcome by his impatience.
Kenneth avoided it by leaping backwards, but in an instant Gregory had sprung after him, and seeing himself thus beset, Kenneth was forced to draw that he might protect himself. They stood in the space between the table and that part of the hall that abutted on to the terrace; opposite to them, by the door which he had closed, stood Crispin.
Without raising his eyes, and keeping his back to Kenneth, who stood between him and the door, he went next to the table, and, taking up the sword that he had left there, he restored it to the sheath. As the hilt clicked against the mouth of the scabbard: "Come, Sir Crispin!" cried the lad. "Are you ready?" Galliard wheeled sharply round. "How? Not gone yet?" said he sardonically.
He paused, and Crispin laughed softly. Then abruptly: "And so you were riding to London?" said he. "How know you that?" "Faith, I know more much more. I can even tell you to what house you rode, and on what errand. You were for the sign of the Anchor in Thames Street, for news of your son, whom Joseph Ashburn hath told you lives."
You have valiantly served one dear to us, and the entertainment of our poor house for as long as you may deign to honour it is but the paltriest of returns." Sir Crispin had heard naught of what was being said as he entered the room wherein the brothers plotted against him, and he little dreamt that his identity was discovered.
Anything, Sir Crispin; anything so that you come away!" "Not so fast, Kenneth. The promise that I shall ask of you is not to be so lightly given. If we escape I may fairly claim to have saved your life, 'twixt what I have done and what I may yet do. Is it not so?" "Oh, I acknowledge it!"
"Hold fast, lad," he cried, encouraging Kenneth, "hold him yet a moment, and I will relieve you!" He reached the lanthorn at last, and pulling aside the cloak, he lifted the light and set it upon the table. By the lanthorn's yellow glare Crispin beheld the two men-a mass of writhing bodies and a bunch of waving legs upon the ground.
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