“Going out?”
“Yes. Don’t stand staring there, as if I was talking Latin or something harder; but get your shoes on again—
“No; you had better come down without shoes; it will make less noise.”
“But how can we get out? I have not the least idea where you are going?”
“All in good time. We shall get out easily enough. Are you coming?”
Half fearful, yet not liking to resist the prince, and his curiosity pressing him to solve the secret, Elfric followed Edwy down the stairs to the lower hall, where Redwald was on guard. He seemed to await the lads, for he bowed at once to the prince and proceeded to the outer door, where, at an imperious signal from him, the warder threw the little inner portal open, and the three passed out.
“Is the boat ready?” said Edwy.
“It is; and trusty rowers await you.”
Redwald led the way to the river’s brink, and there pointed out a skiff lying at a short distance from the shore. At a signal, the men who manned it pulled in and received the two youths on board, then pulled at once out into the stream.
“How do you like an evening on the river?” said Edwy.