“I remember! And then you both went away.” His kindly look dwelled upon her. “I watched you through that five-days’ comedy in the Judgement Hall yonder. I found it worth my mind’s while to watch you; no less worth it than to watch this other that they called servant of Evil! As for thanks, it is yet to be seen if there is much reason.” He spoke to them both. “I am putting you on the road to the nearest port, and when you reach it I can bring you to a ship there. But before you reach it, you may be taken, and if you reach it and enter the ship, I cannot answer for what will come to you afterwards in life. I may be no friend at all.”
“Friend, whatever comes,” said Aderhold. “If we die to-morrow, friend on the other side of that.”
“We’ll touch hands on that,” answered Sir Richard. “And now, seeing that you must go on to the crossroads, I will speak while we walk.”
They put themselves into motion, five human figures now upon the road, and the horse following his master. The two escaped prisoners and their helper moved ahead; behind them came Gervaise and the gaoler, discoursing in whispers. The moon shone down, the wind took a harp-like tone.
“At the crossroads you four—Humphrey Lantern, that was a good man-at-arms in the Low Countries, and Gervaise, a born wanderer and a man of mine between long flittings, and one Giles Allen, a chirurgeon, and John his brother—will take the road that runs to the port. If you reach it or reach it not, one wiser than I may tell! Gervaise knows a place where you may lie hidden to-morrow, going on at nightfall. You may or may not save yourselves. On the way thither I can give you but my wishes. But when you come to the port,—if you come to the port,—go at once to the harbour and find out the Silver Queen.” He gave a packet wrapped in silk to Aderhold. “Give the letter therein to the captain. There is also a purse.—Nay, the thing must be done rightly!”
“The Silver Queen.”
“The Silver Queen, sailing to Virginia. I have a venture in her, and the captain owes me somewhat. She carries a Virginia lading of adventurers and indentured men.—In Virginia are forests and savage men and wild beasts, but less preoccupation, maybe, with Exclusive Salvation and the Guilt of Doubt—though even in Virginia a still tongue were certainly best!—To Virginia is the only help that I can give.”
“I am content,” said Aderhold.
The man of the hawk looked at Joan.