This was too much for Joan. She could not stand by and see her husband shot. Rushing forward, she besought the fierce Republican leader to spare him.
"A word from thee will save his life," said Colonel James, lowering the pistol and turning towards her.
"Woman, I forbid you to speak," said William Penderel, sternly.
"Shoot me if you will," cried Joan to the Republican leader, "I have nothing to declare. Charles Stuart is not here."
"That is false," exclaimed Colonel James. "Deliver him to me, or ye shall both die. Your treasonable practices are known to me. I am aware that the fugitive prince and one of his attendants were concealed in an oak hard by this house. Where are they? They cannot have escaped."
"Wherefore not?" rejoined William Penderel. "If, as you assert, they were hidden in an oak, they could not be here. Search the house, and if you find him you seek, then put us to death."
Finding he could not intimidate the resolute forester, Colonel James left him in charge of a couple of troopers, with orders to shoot him if he attempted to escape, and commanded Joan to conduct him over the house.
"If Charles Stuart be found hidden within the house, thou and thy husband shall assuredly die," he said. "But if it be as thou affirmest, I will spare you both."
"Where will you begin the search?" inquired Joan.