[Illustration: Humphrey and Hugo in the Oak Tree]
"Thou saidst there is no one to watch the castle?" inquired Walter
Skinner.
"Ay, I said it," returned Richard Wood. "Why, who should there be when Sir Thomas hath taken the other two and gone off to get a troop together against Robert Sadler's return? There be thirty men-at-arms within the castle, and all will fight to the death if need be, and none more fiercely than William Lorimer. So saith Robert Sadler. He giveth not so brave an account of the warder and the grooms at the drawbridge, for, saith he, 'The warder is old and slow, and the grooms stupid.' It was well we fell in with Robert Sadler as he departed on his journey."
There was a brief silence while the rain still fell heavily, though the sky showed signs of clearing. Then Walter Skinner in his small cracked voice laughed aloud. "The troop will be there, and there will be hard fighting for naught," he said. "For the prize is escaped and we shall capture it and have the reward."
"What thinkest thou of Selby?" asked Humphrey, when the two spies had gone on toward the river.
"I think thou art right," answered Hugo, frankly.
Without a word Humphrey climbed still higher in the tree and gazed after the two till they were hidden from view in the forest.
"Hast thou been before in this wood?" he inquired, when he and Hugo had descended and stood upon the ground.
"Nay," replied Hugo.
"I thought not. Ask me no questions and I will lead thee through it. I know it of old."