"They overtook you?"
"Nay, they came here. I did my best, but what was I against three? Once I thought we should have beaten them, for Mistress Nancy wounded one of them sorely."
"But where are they gone? Which way did they take her?"
"Doubtless to Endellion. Why I tell you this I know not. Had you been faithful this need not have been."
"Tell me the whole story," I said at length.
"Why should I? But it doth not matter now. You can do her no harm, neither can you save her from the Killigrews. Well, perchance it is God's will. They are of the true faith, and—and you know most of the story, Roger Trevanion. You followed us to Penhale; the maid saw you, and so we left the house earlier than we had intended, and by a road through the fields. We reached this spot in safety, but they found us. Otho was with them, and, well, I am no fighter,—I did my best, but they took her. I—I am wounded in the head—a sword cut."
Why I knew not, but my heart seemed a hot fire.
"And is Mistress Nancy gone with these three Killigrews—alone?"
"Her serving-maid, Amelia, cried out to go with her, and they took her."