"Yes, you have done much. You have helped me to save my sister."
"Unconsciously," I replied. "I know nothing of her. If I had known I should not have cared. It was only you I wanted to help."
"It does not matter about me. She must be saved whatever may happen. I will see to that."
"Then you do not fear what the king may do?"
"No, I do not fear. But do not speak again, the men are beginning to watch us."
I pretended to be examining Black Ben's saddle, and to attend to one of the buckles which kept up the left stirrup.
"What's the matter Master Rashcliffe," said one of the guards.
"Hath some one been meddling with my stirrups?" I asked. "They seem too short."
"They can be seen to when we stop at mid-day for food," he replied.
After that we rode on for another mile without speaking.