The moment the soldier turned the angle, and saw him, he exclaimed, "Who goes there? Stand! Give the word!"
"The three leopards," replied Hugh, in a calm tone.
"Pass," cried the sentinel. "Your blessing, holy father! This is a dark night."
"Dominus vobiscum," replied Hugh; "it is dark, indeed, my son. But no nights are dark to the eye of God;" and turning with the sentinel on his round, he added, in a loud tone, as they passed immediately under the window, "You did not see my boy upon your round, did you! He was to come hither with the books; but, marry, he is a truant knave, and is doubtless loitering with the pages in the King's ante-room."
"I saw him not, holy father," said the soldier. "Is the King still up?"
"Ay, is he," answered Hugh, "and will be for this hour to come." And on he walked by the side of the man till they were out of sight of the window.
"The boy is marvellous long in coming," observed the pretended priest.
"Shall we turn back and see, good father?" asked the soldier.
"Oh, no!" replied Hugh; "this is the way he should come; for he has to pass round by the court, you know; unless, indeed, he goes up the steps at the other side." Just as he spoke, the sound of quick feet following was heard, and the sentry turned sharply once more, exclaiming, "Who goes there?"
"The three leopards," said a childish voice, very unlike that of Tangel, but Tangel it proved to be, dressed in his white cope and hood, and bearing a small bundle beneath his arm.