“Oh,” whispered the chamberlain, “it is possible, Sire. I will call the guard.”
“No,” said the King, with an angry hiss in his voice. “You can use your sword, Hurst?”
“In your Majesty’s service at any time,” replied the chamberlain.
“And I am not a child with mine,” said the King. “Hurst, man, your suspicions are right. This French visitor is no paltry Comte. There is the look of the Valois in his countenance. What if the great object of his visit here was to steal that gem taken from his land by conquest? Hurst, I should like to take this man redhanded myself. We are two, and possibly he is alone, for he would not trust such a task as this to other hands. We heard just now that his page, esquire, or whatever he is, had been sent away.”
“Yes, Sire. But he will be desperate. Your Majesty’s safety must not be risked. I implore you, let me call the guard.”
“Well, as you will,” said the King.—“No, it would only be to reveal that secret place to the common herd. No one shall know it but ourselves. But stop; there is some one close at hand whom I dare trust. Old Sir John Carrbroke’s son. He will be trusty as his father was to me, and to my father in his time. Fetch him here.”
The chamberlain hurried off, while the King followed slowly, sword in hand, till he was opposite to the concealed door, where he stood fast to wait; but an ejaculation uttered by Lord Hurst took him to the latter’s side.
“Traitor!” cried the King angrily. “No, sleeper.” And in his rage he drew back his arm as if to thrust at the youth who was lying upon the heavy couch.
“No sleeper, your Majesty,” cried the chamberlain, bending over Carrbroke, to raise his eyelids one by one. “Pah!” he ejaculated. “The odour is quite strong. The poor lad has been drugged by some pungent medicament.” And then as he drew back his hand he took a kerchief from his pouch to wipe his hands. “The noisome poison is still wet upon his face.”
“Thank Heaven!” said the King. “It was a mercy I did not strike and slay a faithful soul. Come, then, Hurst; but draw and defend me if there is need. Now then, back to the arras, and let us see.”