"The wretches!" interjected De la Zouch. "And yet, Sir Henry, methought the struggle took place at Cromford, and that would be nigh three miles from where I found the knife." Sir Henry turned livid with anger, and was at a loss how to reply, when Lady Vernon fortunately came to the rescue. "You struggled worthily, Sir Knight," said she, “and I would that the cause had been more worthy of thy mettle. We cannot doubt thee more." "I cannot contradict thee," went on Margaret's lover, "but you will show us the exact scene of the fray, Sir Henry, of course ? 66 Assuredly I will, to-morrow-if I am well enough," he added carefully. Sir George Vernon noted the answer with displeasure. He was not very strong in his belief of Sir Henry's innocence as yet, though the evidence in De la Zouch's favour would have been decisive enough for him, had not Stanley shaken it so. وو "Has thy Dorothy forsaken thee, then, Sir George? asked Crowleigh pertinently. 66 Why no, Sir Everard-yes; that is-I cannot say," he helplessly replied. "It must be so, and yet, no! I cannot believe it either." De la Zouch ground his teeth in ill-suppressed rage. Matters had taken a decidedly unfavourable turn; he was being sorely worsted, and he wished himself far away. The suspicions of Sir Thomas Stanley were pressing uncomfortably near him, and he found himself in a quandary how to evade them. "I am doubted, Sir George, I see," he said angrily. "Lady Vernon is the only one who does me justice. I will go. Your deed shall be blazoned to the world. Is this the boasted hospitality of the King of the Peak ?-then I disdain it. I shake the dust off my feet and shall depart at once, and you will find out when too late that you drove away in such a scurvy fashion the truest friend you ever had," and boiling over with wellsimulated fury, De la Zouch leapt from his chair and passed through the doorway, chuckling to himself at the success of his little scheme to extricate himself. He was liberated now from the awkwardness of his false position. His day's rest and the attention he had received had done wonders towards effecting his recovery, and ordering a horse to be saddled, a few minutes later he passed out of the precincts of the Hall, and, hoping that he would never have occasion to return, he mustered up his strength and started out upon a midnight ride to Ashby. W CHAPTER XXIV. THE ESCAPE. But in these cases We still have judgment that we but teach -SHAKESPEARE. HEN Eustace delivered his charges into the hands of the chamberlain at Ashby his task was ended, and he had no further responsibility in the matter. The rest afforded him by the journey had the effect of refreshing John Manners to a considerable degree, and when he stood before Sir Henry's deputy he felt well able to take care of himself and quite capable of resisting any unwarrantable liberties that they might attempt to take with him. Simon Greenwood, the chamberlain of Ashby Castle, was a fit person to represent his lord. Indeed, had Sir Henry searched throughout the length and breadth of the land, he would probably never have discovered a man more after his own heart, or a servant who would have so faithfully aided him in the many questionable transactions in which he was from time to time engaged. He had grown up on the estate. His father had served the former lord of the manor, and entering into his master's service when quite a youth, Simon had flourished on the success of his numerous petty stratagems; he had supplanted those who had been above him, and now, as the right hand of his lord, he was ever eager to distinguish himself in Sir Henry's eyes. He glanced at the two prisoners with an air of haughty contempt which would have done credit to De la Zouch himself. "So you are John Manners, eh?" he drawled out at length. Manners looked at him disdainfully, but returned no answer. “And you be Miss Dorothy, I suspect," he went on with a most unprepossessing leer. "You will remember my lord's instructions, Simon," interrupted the page. 66 Yes, yes, of course; be off, I know. I am not going to hurt her," replied the chamberlain. "Well, Mistress Dorothy, I have got to take particular care of you," he continued, ironically. 66 "And of Master Manners, too, I hope," she fearlessly replied, not noticing the hidden meaning of his remark. Remember that he is a gentleman." 66 'Yes, oh, yes,” returned the man, with a hideous grin, “we have got to take particular care of him as well. He will sleep downstairs for awhile," and he laughed with a coarse guffaw, again and again repeated, at his own joke. "Enough of this, sirrah," broke in Manners, sternly. “We are not here to amuse you. There will be a host of our friends here soon to deliver us, so thou had'st best beware of what thou do'st." Simon scowled darkly, but Manners's threat had its effect, and he restrained his temper. "I care not," he replied, so long as Sir Henry be here. I shall but obey my instructions nor more nor less." "And what are they?" 'You shall find that out for yourself in good time." "And remember that though I am within your power, I am the nephew of an earl, and have friends at Court who will avenge me on your lord," Manners pursued. 66 Then shall put you in a safe place.” The man was longing to assert his authority, but the bearing of the prisoner thoroughly cowed him, and he felt helplessly bound to be more civil to him than he wished. "And what about this lady ?” asked Manners. 66 Sir Henry's instructions apply equally to her as to you," he replied. "If she is treated ill you shall answer for it," said Manners, fiercely, so I bid you look to it that you treat her well." 66 66 Teach me not," Simon hastily broke in. 66 I know what is expected of me, and, mark me, I shall do it. Captives ought not to be too conceited, mark that, too, an it please you." 'Enough, sirrah, cease thy prating. I am no fool." 66 "Take him away; take him to the old dungeon," cried Simon, whose wrath was fast gaining mastery over him; "and mind you double lock the door." 66 The dungeon," shrieked Dorothy. 66 No, not the dungeon." Manners looked round but there was no chance of escape, nor would he have cared to have left Dorothy in such a position, even had the way been clear. 66 Sir Henry said he was to be kept in the North Tower," ventured Eustace. "Did he, indeed," sneeringly retorted the chamberlain. "You had better be off or I will have you whipped;" and smarting under the rejoinder, Eustace, who considered prudence the better part of valour, took the hint so broadly given and retired. An hour later, as Manners sat brooding in his deep and lonely dungeon, he was startled by hearing the key turn slowly in the lock, and a moment later Eustace slipped into the cell and the door was closed and locked again. 66 O, Master Manners," he cried, as he dropped on his knees, this is a shameful thing; what can I do, I would help thee if I might? I am disgusted with my lord; I loathe him and I shall flee from him.' ""Tis no fault of thine, thou art young," kindly responded Manners, "but canst thou tell me aught of Mistress Dorothy Vernon ?" "She is safe in the topmost room of the tower," he replied. "Is she in danger yet?" 66 Nay, she is safe and will be treated well. Simon Greenwood's dame says my lord left strange commands about her comfort, and she has already rated Simon soundly for his rudeness to the maiden." 66 Hist," whispered a voice through the keyhole, "Simon is coming.' Eustace threw up his hands in blank despair. “O, Master Manners," he ejaculated, "I am lost; Simon would kill me if he finds me here.' 66 Creep under there," replied the prisoner quickly, "it is dark, and I will befriend thee." The page obeyed, and he was not a moment too soon; before he could comfortably ensconce himself in the damp and fusty hole under the stone bench, the door opened and the chamberlain entered. He was flushed with wine and not at all the same cool, calculated man who had stood before the captive an hour before. 66 66 'Well, my hearty," he exclaimed, as he seated himself upon the stone bench just over the gasping page, things are rather bad, eh ?" "Begone," said Manners, curtly. 66 'Nay, now, that's hardly polite," he replied. "We will tame you down with the chains; 'tis many a year since I saw them used, and it would be quite a treat to see them on somebody once again," and he kicked the rusty manacles which lay upon the ground. "You dare not, and you know it," retorted Manners fiercely; and, drunk as the man was, he cowered back beneath the glance. "Ah, well, you are safe enough as you are, I reckon," he returned, "and I am taking care of Doll for you," he added with a sickening grin. Dorothy's lover started forward as the name of the maiden was pronounced. 66 Scoundrel!" he cried, "weak as I am I would thrash thee well for such presumption, were I sure you would not visit your displeasure upon her." "Do as you list," was the coarse reply, "but I swear Doll is a pretty lass." 66 Come here you lout," exclaimed a shrill voice, as the door opened and admitted a buxom woman of forty or thereabouts. "I have found you at last; come out with you,' " and she emphasised the command by a smart clout on his head. Simon turned quickly round and prepared to retaliate, but quailing under the stern glance of his better-half, he obeyed her will, and meekly slunk out through the open door. 66 'I'll teach him, sir, how to woman, turning to Manners. this." behave to his betters," said the He shall have a thrashing for 66 Much amused, the captive esquire thanked her warmly for her kindness. "But I have another favour to seek at your hands," he said. "I have had naught to eat as yet, and it is now evening." "The dial only points to three as yet, sir knight,” replied the dame, who was not quite certain of the quality of the prisoner, "but you shall have some food." "Only three! Ah well. And Mistress Dorothy ?" he anxiously inquired. "She is doing well. She has had a meal already. I have her under my own care, the sweet creature; heaven bless her! I had come to thee at her request to bid thee be of good cheer." "Aye, heaven bless her, for she is in a sorry fix," assented Manners. Tend her well, and I will well reward thee. Thou shalt have such gauds as thy neighbours shall turn green with envy at the sights of thee." "I want them not," was the short reply, and Simon Greenwood's dame passed out of the dungeon, leaving Manners alone with the page. 66 Ha, ha!" he laughed. 66 The door had barely closed before Eustace emerged from his uncomfortable retreat, covered with insects of many kinds. Simon boasts that he cares for no man, save his lord; but he has to care for Dame Greenwood, though, ha, ha! I would even venture in that vile hole once more to see him thwacked again." |