The two Saxons kept silence, but exchanged a crafty look, as if to say that they were not to be caught so easily.
"What seek ye?" repeated the spy.
"Hast thou seen aught of two runaways?" asked Herebald, gruffly. "Even a young lord who hath to his serving-man a Saxon?"
Then Richard Wood himself looked crafty. He did not like finding other pursuers so near him who might claim part of the reward, at least, when the search was successfully ended. But reflection came to his aid and told him that these Saxons were ignorant hinds who might be made useful on the search, and afterward cheated of their share of the reward. So he said, "Ye be fen-men, I know, or ye would not look so narrowly for a trail nor would ye find it. Which way do ye go?" And he looked at them keenly.
"Through the Broads toward Yarmouth," answered Herebald, slowly, after a short pause, and speaking in a surly tone.
"And wherefore?" demanded Richard Wood.
"There is shipping to be got to France from thence, is there not?"
"Yea, verily," cried Richard Wood. "It had not before entered my mind.
Thinkest thou they have gone thither?"
Herebald frowned. "Thou art too ready with thy questions," he growled.
"But this I will say, we go thither."
"Then we go with thee," said Richard Wood, firmly. "The way is open to us as well as to thee, and thou mayest not gainsay it."