Blank astonishment was written on the faces of the men who had barred the lads' way. Several of them muttered under their breath that they were lost men.
"So be it," replied the spokesman briefly, and laying hold of the bridle of Geoffrey's horse, led him to where Lord Cobham was still standing, surrounded by the braver of his followers.
"Greetings, my Lord Cobham," exclaimed Geoffrey, raising his velvet cap, to which salutation Sir John Oldcastle courteously replied. "I pray thee that thy men give us free passage."
"Who art thou, fair sir?" asked the knight.
"Canst call to mind the time thou rebukedst the friar hard by the Castle of Portchester, my lord?"
"Nay, is it possible that thou art the lad who stood by?" asked Oldcastle. "Thou hast grown somewhat, I trow."
"Tis the same; and my companion here was also with me on that day. In truth, sir knight, though I be a true member of the Church, thy action I could not but admire."
"My work in that direction still remains unfinished," remarked Lord Cobham. "Behold me, a fugitive, thanks to the persecution of my Lord Archbishop. The meanest of these my followers might be the richer by the sum of a thousand marks were they to betray me; but on that score I have scant anxiety. My destiny is in the hands of One above, and should it please Him to hand me over to mine enemies, His will be done."
"Ask them to swear secrecy concerning thee, fair lord," said one of the Lollards.
"Nay, I ask no pledge; their way is clear."