XX
IN ABEYANCE
And on the morrow there was great stir and rustle and preparation.Those lords and barons in attendance at Court who were from thevicinity went off to gather their following; and those from distantparts of the Kingdom sent commands to their constables or stewards tohasten hither their very last retainer and every man available forservice with the King.
About noon Richard called his principal officers together in council toconsider who were liable to join with Buckingham in the revolt. Thathe had confederates of power and prestige was certain enough; fordespite his oft-repeated boast that as many wore the Stafford Knot ashad once displayed the Bear and Ragged-Staff of the King-Maker, andreckless as he was, yet it was not likely he would attempt to measurehimself against the King--and that King the great Gloucester--withoutsubstantial assistance and cooperation of others of the Nobility. Norwas it easy to fix upon these confederates. The old, pronouncedLancastrian lords were either dead or in exile, and there was littleelse than general family relationship or former family affiliation,that could guide the judgment. And the session was long and tiresomeand not particularly satisfactory, for of all the names gone over, onlythe Marquis of Dorset and the Courtneys of Exeter seemed likelytraitors, and yet it was very certain there must be many more.
As De Lacy passed into the antechamber Lord Darby came forward andconfronted him.
"I have come as I gave parole," he said haughtily. "It is nowwithdrawn, and I demand that you straightway prefer your charge."
"So be it," said De Lacy, and bowed him into the presence of the King.
Richard eyed Darby with searching sternness, as he bent knee beforehim, nor did he extend his hand for the usual kiss; and his voice wascoldly judicial as without pause or preliminary he began:
"We are informed, Lord Darby, of the happenings last night in the townof Sheffield. You have demanded to be brought before the King and haverefused explanation to another. Such is your warrant and privilege asa Peer of England. You are accused by Sir Aymer de Lacy with beingconcerned in the abduction of the Countess of Clare. What have you toanswer?"
"That I am not guilty, Sire; and I defy the foreign upstart who bringsthe accusation."
The King frowned. "Be so good, my lord, as to answer our questionswithout recriminations," he said sharply. "Then, being innocent, willyou explain how it was that you were in conference with the fellowknown as 'Flat-Nose,' who was the leader of the abductors?"
Lord Darby smiled blandly.
"Naught easier, my liege. The fellow who was with me at the house inSheffield, last night, was not that villain but my own chiefman-at-arms."
"Has he not a flat nose and------" De Lacy broke in; but Richardsilenced him with a gesture.
"Describe this retainer of yours," he ordered.
"He is stout of build and medium in height; his hair is red, his facebroad, and he has a heavy nose, so broken by a sword hilt that itmight, indeed, be termed flat," Darby answered.
"How long has he been in your service?"
"For years, Sire--at least a dozen."
"Where was he on the day and evening of the abduction?"
"The day, in the evening of which I understand the Countessdisappeared," Darby began with easy confidence, "I rode from my castleof Roxford in early morning, en route for Pontefract and the Court.This under officer of mine, Simon Gorges by name, who has, it seems,been taken for the villain called Flat-Nose, was left at the castle,where he remained in command until my return some seven daysthereafter. I myself lodged at the Abbey of Kirkstall, that night, andwas making my adieu to the Abbot, the next morning, when this . . .this . . . Knight"--indicating De Lacy by a motion of histhumb--"arrived with news of the outrage. Then I hastened toPontefract and joined in the search, as Your Majesty knows."
"You have been most detailed as to your own movements at that time, butvery meagre as to those of your servant," the King remarked dryly."You left him, you say, at your castle on the morning of the abduction,and found him there, a week later, on your return. Bethink you that isany proof he remained there in your absence?"
"It is very true there is a wide break in my own observation," Darbyanswered with instant frankness; "yet I know absolutely that he was notbeyond my own domain during my absence. It is some queer resemblancebetwixt him and this Flat-Nose. And by my faith, Sire, broken nosesand red hair are not such a rarity that Simon Gorges should be the onlyone to possess them."
"That may be; but they are enough, in this instance, to put that sameSimon Gorges on suspicion, and quite to justify Sir Aymer de Lacy inarresting you and carrying you hither; and particularly when youscorned to offer him any explanation. For you must know, my lord, hewears the Ring of the Boar, and what he does is in my name."
"Perchance, I was hasty, Sire, but I did not know of the Ring; it wasnever shown me. And poor indeed were the manhood that would not resentthe manner of my seizure--the gyves and arrogant address of yourBody-Knight."
"Will Your Majesty ask Lord Darby," Sir Aymer exclaimed, "why thisflat-nosed Simon Gorges, as quickly as he saw me, sprang from thewindow crying: 'De Lacy! De Lacy!' and fled into the darkness? If hebe innocent, wherefore such action?"
"You hear, my lord?" said Richard. "Can you explain?"
"That I cannot," Darby replied. "Perchance, Gorges has had troublesome time with Sir Aymer de Lacy or his household; though, of course,of that I know nothing. But I do know, Sire, that not I nor mine, withmy knowledge, had aught to do with the outrage upon De Bury and theCountess. It would be most humiliating to have been under even aninstant's suspicion of such a crime, but to be arrested and arraignedbefore one's King. . . Bah! it is deeper degradation than words cansound," and he folded his arms and stared, vacantly and with drawnface, straight before him.
"It is the misfortune of a red-haired, flat-nosed servant, my lord,"said Richard; "best give him his quittance and a new master.Meanwhile, be not so downcast.--I accept your explanation."
Lord Darby dropped upon his knee, and now the King gave him his hand.
"We will put your gratitude and allegiance to the proof," he said,fixing Darby's eyes with his own and holding them. "The Duke ofBuckingham and the Tudor Henry rise in rebellion seven days hence. Weneed an army within that time. Go, collect your retainers, and join mewithout an hour's delay."
"Your Majesty is very gracious to make but my liege service the earnestof my faith and word. I ride for Roxford this instant," and with agraceful salute to the King, and a sneering smile at De Lacy he leftthe apartment.
Richard's quick change--after his searching questions and sternfront--in suddenly accepting Darby's assertion of innocence anddismissing him with honor, came to De Lacy like a blow in the face.Had he been within reach when Darby flaunted him, not even the royalpresence would have held his arm. As it was, with a stiff bow he waswithdrawing, when Richard laughed.
"Are you displeased, Sir Aymer?" he said kindly.
"It is not for me to question the conduct of the King," De Lacyanswered respectfully.
"You are surprised, then?"
"Marry, yes! Sire; that I am."
"Only because you have never had to study men to use them. It is notRichard Plantagenet's wont to discuss his decisions with another; yetin this instance, because you are led by no whit of selfishness butsolely by love for your betrothed, I will make exception. Surely, yousaw there was no evidence sufficient to condemn Darby. If you had everseen this Flat-Nose it would have been another matter. Butresemblances are not conclusive; and in the face of his explanation andabsolute denial, the case against him fell for want of proof. Mark me,I do not say that he is innocent; and when the struggle with Buckinghamis over we will go deeper into this mystery."
"Then Your Majesty has not sacrificed the Countess of Clare for LordDarby's retainers?" De Lacy asked pointedly.
Richard smiled good naturedly.
"It is a just question, Sir Aymer," he said; "yet be assured I have nothought to sacrifice B
eatrix. At this exigency, I have not an instantto devote to aught but this insurrection. I do not fear Darby--thoughhe would desert to the rebels without hesitation if he thought it wouldadvantage him--but Stanley's course will be his also--it will prove tohim there is no hope for the Tudor. Furthermore, assuming that thisGorges is Flat-Nose, he has warned those in charge of the Countess--if,as God grant, she be alive--and to imprison or to kill Darby would besimply to hang more awful peril over her, and aid not a jot the findingof her prison. As it is, Darby must bring this Simon Gorges with him,or raise fresh suspicion by leaving him behind. Yet he has two chancesto escape even if he be guilty. Sir John de Bury is still ill atPontefract, and as he alone knows Flat-Nose, Darby may confidentlyproduce Gorges; and then have him removed by a chance arrow or swordthrust during the coming campaign. The other chance hangs upon thetriumph of Buckingham and Darby's desertion to him at the criticalinstant. In such event, he can frankly acknowledge the abducting ofthe Countess without fear of punishment and force her to wed him. TheTudor would be glad enough to pay the debt so cheaply."
"Perchance Darby may force the fellow to confess that he alone isguilty," De Lacy suggested.
"A man is not so ready to condemn himself to death," Richard answered;"and to confess would necessitate all the details, and in the mazeDarby could not escape ensnarement."
"Might it not have been well, Sire, to detain him and dispatch a forceto search Roxford? Many a time were we near it, but then, alas, nosuspicion rested upon him."
The King shook his head. "That might have been proper a fortnightsince, but it is so no longer. Every soldier is needed with the armynow, and it would require a goodly force to reduce Roxford, if you weremet with a lifted bridge; though methinks you would be received mostcourteously--and find your quarry flown; if she was there, Flat-Nosehas removed her since the adventure at Sheffield."
"Your Majesty is right," said Aymer; "I crave pardon for my ungratefuldoubt."
"Nay, nay, I do not blame you. Only remember, De Lacy, that Richardthe King is not Richard the man. The man sympathizes with you andtrusts you; but he must be the King to do you service and aid yourquest. . . Nay, do not thank me. When we have crushed Stafford andTudor, rescued Beatrix, and you are Earl of Clare, it will be timeenough for gratefulness."