"I believe you," said Richard, putting his hand on Aymer's shoulder. "Now let me hear the story."
And De Lacy told it in the fewest words he could; making no mention of Flat-Nose or Darby.
For a while Richard sat quiet, pulling at his chin.
"What a miserable scoundrel Stanley is," he said presently. "He refuses Stafford because he scents failure ahead; and is ready to make capital of a trusting friend by betraying him to his doom. For well he sees that Buckingham has gone too far to recede. I would he had stood with them,—his own scheming Countess and Buckingham. Then I could have wiped all of them out at one blow." He struck the bell. "Summon the Master of Horse," he ordered.
"Ratcliffe," he said, when the latter entered, "Buckingham revolts on the eighteenth; Richmond lands in England that same day. Dispatch instantly to the Lord Chancellor for the great seal, and have commissions of array drawn. Let messengers start with the sun to all the royal domains and summon hither every man who can wield a sword or draw a bow. What's the weather?"
"There is no improvement, my liege."
"It will, of a surety, have rained itself out by morning. For it to continue means a slow muster, and the time is all too short as it is," the King said meditatively. "And hark you, further," he broke out suddenly, "let word go to Lord Stanley at Lathom, this night yet, of this matter, bidding him instantly gather his retainers and report at Nottingham."
Ratcliffe hurried away, to return almost instantly with a packet which he gave the King.
"From Stanley," he said. "It arrived but this moment."
Richard flashed a smile across to De Lacy.