“You saw that man, and you know!” cried Denis excitedly again.
The woman closed her lips and seemed to press them tightly together, as she said in a strange voice:
“You will be advised by me, and stay here, where you will be safe. I cannot—I will not—let you go.”
“Indeed!” said the King fiercely, and the woman started as she realised that her guest had heard her words.
“Back into your own place, madam,” continued the King. “I allow no one to tamper with my servants.”
The woman shrank trembling back, for there was that in her guest’s manner which she felt she must obey; and with her hands clasped to her breast as if to restrain her emotion, she went slowly into the house, the King watching her, till she turned her head, started on encountering his eyes, and then disappeared.
“There, it’s plain enough, gentlemen. This woman is in league with a band of the rogues.”
“I think not, sir,” said Denis quickly. “I think she is honest, and her trouble real.”
“Indeed?” said the King mockingly. “Wait till you have a few more years over your head, boy, before you attempt to give counsel to one who is used to judge mankind. Foolish boy! Can’t you see that it is part of her work to trap travellers into staying at her house? Why, I believe if we rested here we should be plunged into a long deep sleep, and one from which we should never wake. Now, Saint Simon, you ought to have finished. I want to mount and go.”
“The horses are ready, my lord,” said the young man quickly.