“We are playing for high stakes, boy,” said Leoni gravely, “and we must take all risks.”
The King did not awaken until late in the evening, seeming so much rested and clear that Denis’s heart leaped with excitement, for he began to speak calmly, declaring that he was ready to start.
“No, sir,” said Leoni. “Believe me, not yet. Let us see what to-morrow brings.” And he reached out his hand to take his master by the wrist; but with an impatient “Pish!” Francis snatched his hand away and sprang to his feet.
“Absurd!” he cried. “I am quite fit to start, for the pain has left my wound. It would do me more harm to stop fretting here. Order the—”
He said no more, but made a snatch at the wall and would have reeled and fallen had not Saint Simon acted as the sturdy buttress he was, and lowered him easily into a chair.
“That giddiness again,” cried the King, with a sigh. “The doctor is right. Early to-morrow morning, then, gentlemen,” he said, with a peculiar smile. “Leoni is king now, and reigns in our stead. I like not his palace, but we shall be safe here.”
The evening passed on. Leoni was with the King in his chamber, and Denis and Saint Simon were seated gloomily together in their humble room, and the latter was from time to time sipping and making wry faces over a stoup of the bitterest, sourest, harshest cider that was ever drawn from tub, when there was the loud clattering of horses upon the road coming at a sharp trot; and as the young men sprang to their feet a loud command was heard, which was followed by the stamping and shuffling of hoofs as a troop of horsemen drew rein shortly in front of the little inn.
“Caught!” said Saint Simon abruptly, and his hand sought the hilt of his sword, while Denis followed his example, just as the door was thrown open and Leoni rushed in.
“The King’s guards,” he cried, “and resistance will be in vain. Gentlemen, I am ready to give my life, as you are yours; but even if we die for our master’s sake, what then? We should only leave him a prisoner in Henry’s hands, to bear the brunt of his trouble all alone.”
“You mean that we must surrender?” cried Denis angrily.