"'Tis a rare mischance, Maurice," said Dicky Cheke, as they went downstairs together to begin the duties of the day; "Ralph might have gotten the prize of this day's tourney also."
"'Twas Bowerman that dealt the foul stroke," said Maurice, without heeding the other's remark. "Where can he have gotten to?"
"Ay, where indeed? But he can't escape; I hear there's orders been sent out to search all boats that leave the island."
"Marry! why he could have gotten clear off before the alarm was raised. They ought to have scoured the country for him last night, they'd have taken him then withouten any doubt."
Dicky looked rather foolish. He remembered how he had been rated by Sir John Trenchard the night before.
"Dost think Newenhall knows aught of the matter?"
"Humph!" answered Dicky. "He didn't like Ralph, and he wouldn't stop any harm coming to him, but I don't think he's got the pluck to do him a wrong himself."
"His ways were odd last night. Didst mark how he couldn't answer old Jack-in-Harness's questions?"
"Couldn't? Wouldn't, you mean," said Dicky. "Ay, I marked it sure enough. Well, old Jack's as sharp as a needle--he'll find it all out."
The conversation was interrupted by their arriving at the door of their lord's apartment, and being ordered to enter by the archer on guard.