This, as you may be sure, made me more alert than ever, I was now convinced that these were no common footpads, but men who had followed and attacked me for a purpose. They knew my name, and they suspected me of having something which they desired. Immediately I thought of old Solomon's words, "the Duke of York would give his eyes to have this thing." Were these men agents of the duke, and had they discovered that I had found out where the marriage contract was?
"It's no use, Rickmore. He must have struck his head against a stone when we dragged him from his horse. He may lie like this for hours."
"You are sure you've searched him thoroughly?"
"Every rag upon his body?"
"And what have you found?"
"Nought but a little money and his pistols."
"Pull off his boots, it may be there."
I allowed them to pull off my boots, lying limp and inert as they did so; but, as may be imagined, they were again disappointed.
"The fellow hath nought," said the man who had been called Rickmore, "and 'pon my word, I believe he's dead."
"Then Duke James will have to wait."