"The next move in the Duke's game."
"In sooth! When—what—how?"
"Now, my dear Sir Ralph. The how is yonder with Raynor Royk. If you wish to know the what, come with me."
Up the stairway Royk led his men, following close after the two Knights. On the second landing the Protector was waiting.
"Now, attend," he said to De Lacy. "I return to the Council. You will bring the men up very quietly and post them without. The instant I strike on the table, fling open the door and arrest every man. Do you yourself stand in the passage and stop any that would escape. Let none use weapon unless necessary … but if an axe were to fall by accident upon either Stanley or Ely, no punishment would follow," and he smiled significantly.
"I think I understand," said De Lacy; and Richard, carelessly brushing a bit of dust from his black doublet, turned away.
Raynor Royk chuckled when he learned the orders.
"I will attend to Stanley myself," he said. "My axe arm at times has an ugly habit of sudden weakness when the weapon is swung high."
De Lacy nodded. "Get yourself into position," he replied shortly; for, of a truth, he little liked the business. Yet there might be no delay, and he followed after the soldiers with De Wilton at his side.
Raynor massed his men before the door and he himself was close against it with his hand upon the latch. From within came numerous voices; presently these were silent and the Protector spoke in angry tones, though what he said De Lacy could not distinguish. Then a single voice replied, and De Wilton had scarce time to whisper, "Hastings," when the signal came.