“Yes, oh, yes, we will.”
“Do you think of walking, sire?” asked the cunning page?
“Walking, villain? What do you mean?”
“You talked of taking steps to find Colonel Blood,” said Simon, the page, with a broad grin.
“Simon, if you stay here another moment I will sacrifice you to my just resentment. Off with you, rascal!” said the king.
Simon made a rapid retreat, and the king, bowing to Sir Richard Warbeck, Miller Harmer, and Ned Warbeck, added—
“We will put Blood to his word in this matter, and shall expect to see you; and also, I must say, we deeply grieve for you.”
There was no resource now for the father of Ellen Harmer and Sir Richard but to make their exit from the chamber.
“This will be one point gained,” said Sir Richard, “if we got Blood to convict or clear himself in the presence of the king; it will be either his exculpation or his ruin.”
“It will—it must!” said Ned Warbeck, warmly, “and I will take good care that he does not shelter himself under any ambiguity of phrase in the matter. Where is the wainscot chamber the king spoke of?”