"With me? Some one seeks audience with me?" he asked uneasily.
He paced up and down restlessly while the other went to conduct the messenger to him. Who could it be? he had cut himself so completely from the world and its affairs.
He was amazed to recognize in the messenger young Robert Shepherd, whom he had known at the Bury.
"Tell me," he began eagerly, "you are from the Bury. Is it so bad, then? The Uprising has begun?"
"Begun? Ah, of a truth begun! There is no ending it now, save the whole land lie at our feet!"
"But how comes it that Robert Shepherd brings the news, written by one clearly against us?"
The lad reddened. "It was safer not to refuse the monk's request," he said, "and it did no harm to the Cause. Let the monks rant as they will. We have wrung the freedom of the town from them. They were all in a panic. Besides," he added, "I bear with me also another message of very different complexion."
But of this Annys took no heed. "Tell me," he urged, "Richard Meryl, my friend, he was there, a leader among them—what of him?"
"Ah, do not ask me," faltered Shepherd. "It is too terrible."
Annys grasped one of the pillars for support. "What, Richard! hurt? dead? quick, what has happened?"