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Updated: May 10, 2025
And I know not where to look." The courtier kept silence for a few moments. "The prisoner must not be found," he thought, "or mayhap the young lord, Josceline De Aldithely, will be undone; and for the friendship I do bear his father, this may not be. But neither must the worthy bailiff die." Then he spoke. "Worthy bailiff," he said, "what is done cannot be undone.
He will ride forth toward London as if he made to escape to his father in France. The servants of the king will hear of it through the spies they keep in the wood near us. They will pursue him while Josceline and I escape into Scotland." Humphrey reflected. "I see it, I see it," he said at last. "Hugo is the good lad." "He is indeed, Humphrey. So good I cannot see him go unattended.
And thou didst promise him upon thine honor to obey me. Thou mayest not break thy pledged word." "I had not pledged it," rejoined Josceline, sulkily, "had I known of wanderings through forest and wild." "Better forest and wild than the king's dungeon, my son," replied Lady De Aldithely. "We go hence to-morrow night." During this conversation Hugo had stood a silent and unwilling listener.
To acquire these was Cotton's chief delight from the age of eighteen; and as a natural consequence, this taste surrounded him with learned friends. At his house at Westminster the literati of the day were wont to meet. Josceline, Camden, Noel, Speed, Sir John Davis, and others formed, together with himself, the then Society of Antiquaries, which Matthew Parker had founded.
"Where is Fleetfoot?" he asked as he stood in his stirrups and looked about him anxiously. "Fleetfoot is at the castle," replied Humphrey, calmly. "By thy command?" asked Hugo, quickly. "Ay," replied Humphrey. "Why, what young lord would journey about with a great dog like that in his train? If thou art to play Josceline, thou must play in earnest.
"Why, if Lord De Aldithely, who is a great soldier, and a great help to victory wherever he fighteth, should join with King Louis of France to fight against our king why, then it would go ill with Josceline if he were biding in the king's hand. And, knowing this, his father would forbear to fight, and so be muzzled." "And Josceline would not otherwise be harmed?" asked Hugo.
He said naught of what should be done later. And once we leave London I will be again Humphrey the serving-man, and no make-believe priest. I like not make-believes." Hugo smiled again. "How likest thou my being a make-believe Josceline, and no Hugo?" he asked. "That be a different matter," was the decided answer. "Thou hast saved our young lord's life, and thou art a brave lad.
But the troop of men-at-arms with Hugo and Humphrey still sped, halting for the night in a safe spot, and rising betimes in the morning to hurry on, until, their duty done, and the two safely aboard, they turned back at their leisure. And all this time, upon the sea going down from Scotland was a ship which bore Lady De Aldithely and Josceline.
And now a rustling in the branches above was heard. Eagerly the spy looked up and strained his eyes to see. "Josceline! son of Lord De Aldithely!" he called, "I arrest thee in the king's name. Thou darest not oppose me. Yield thyself, and come down!"
"Let us away to the tilt-yard and do our exercise." Josceline was already an esquire, and very diligent in the exercises required of an esquire as a part of his training for knighthood. But not more diligent than Hugo had been during his stay at the castle. For Hugo felt himself at a disadvantage on account of having been bred up at the priory, and was eager to make up for his shortcomings.
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