Without a word Royk faced about and went pounding down the passage.
Presently a light, quick step came springing up the stairway, and De Lacy entered and closed the door behind him.
"You sent for me?" he said.
"Aye, Sir Aymer, and I thank you for the coming. Tell me, when did Lord Darby join the King?"
"About a week since; though he left us at Lincoln on the seventeenth to gather his retainers."
"Bah! I might have known it!" the Duke exclaimed. "It was he, then, that betrayed our plans to Richard. God in Heaven, that I might have him by the throat!" and he clinched his hands in fury.
"Was Darby forewarned of your revolt?" De Lacy asked.
"Forewarned! Forewarned! The dog helped me arrange and mature it. He swore he hated Richard."
"Doubtless he did—and does so still, it was not he who betrayed you."
Stafford stared incredulously.