“Yes, Excellency. He came at sunset.”
“Is he sure of his man?”
“He appears to be so, sir.”
“Were any papers found on him?”
“Yes, Excellency.”
“The other prisoner, Wentworth, is little more than a youth, I am told?”
“He is very young, Excellency.”
“How came he to be set on an important outward post that night?”
“There was no danger of attack, and I placed him there of deliberate purpose. He was most reluctant to go, making one excuse and then another, saying he was ill, and what not. For more than a month he has been under suspicion of communicating with malignants, although we had no direct proof. He had been seen stealing away from the domain of Lord Rudby, the chief of the disaffected in the district. On the night in question he was watched, and as soon as he supposed himself alone he deserted his post, put spurs to his horse, and rode straight across country to Rudby Hall.”
“And was arrested there?”