His looks showed so plainly that he would execute his threat, that Madmannah did not dare to disobey, but prudently held his tongue.
Seeing how matters stood, and fearing lest the trooper might free himself sufficiently from the king's grasp to draw a pistol, Careless quickly descended and disarmed him—depriving him of all weapons he had about him.
"I will slay thee without hesitation unless thou renderest implicit obedience to my commands," said Charles to the trooper.
At this moment Ezra called from below:
"Hast thou found him?"
"Say that thou hast lost thy labour," whispered Charles, holding the poniard more closely to the trooper's throat. "Speak loudly, so that he may hear thee."
Madmannah did as enjoined.
"I expected as much," cried Ezra, angrily. "Thou hast brought me here on a fool's errand. Come down quickly, or I will depart without thee."
"Let thy answer be, 'Go, an' thou wilt,'" said Charles.
And Madmannah repeated what he was told.