"Pardieu!" the King exclaimed; "we gave you leave indefinite. Until you were willing to abandon the search you need not have returned."
"Your Majesty misunderstands. No vain notion of being needed here has brought me; but danger to your crown and life—Buckingham is traitor—Richmond lands this day week as King."
"So! St. Paul! So!" Richard muttered, gnawing at his lower lip. "At last … at last … and earlier by six months than I had thought… Yet, better so; it will be ended all the sooner… Where did you get this news and how?"
"At Sheffield, last night."
"Last night!—When did you leave Sheffield?"
"At daybreak. The rain and darkness delayed me until then."
"By St. George! plead no excuse. It was an amazing ride in such weather."
"I made bold to use the post horses; but it was heavy labor even for them."
"And for you as well, my good De Lacy. This King thanks you—perchance the next one will not," and he laughed queerly.
"It is this King I serve; not the next one."