"Good fortune in your enterprise," he said. "And I give you joy on your liberty."
The words were not out of his mouth when a lieutenant and two men appeared, approaching us at a rapid walk, nay, almost at a run. They made directly for us, the Duke and I both watching them. The officer's sword was drawn in his hand, their daggers were fixed in the muzzles of the soldiers' muskets.
"What's happened now?" asked Buckingham in a whisper.
The answer was not long in coming. The lieutenant halted before us, crying,
"In the King's name, I arrest you, sir."
"On my soul, you've a habit of being arrested, sir," said the Duke sharply. "What's the cause this time?"
"I don't know," I answered; and I asked the officer, "On what account, sir?"
"The King's orders," he answered curtly. "You must come with me at once." At a sign from him his men took their stand on either side of me. Verily, my liberty had been short! "I must warn you that we shall stand at nothing if you try to escape," said the officer sternly.
"I'm not a fool, sir," I answered. "Where are you going to take me?"