A Boys Ride | Page 9

prison."
Lady De Aldithely shivered. "I pray thee, speak not of prisons,

Humphrey," she said firmly, "but attend my words."
"Am I not faithful?" demanded Humphrey.
"Thou art, my good Humphrey," was the reply.
"Was it then for Robert Sadler to do thine errand?"
"I have a greater errand for thee," was the grave answer. "Robert Sadler
is a traitor, and we have much to do ere he return."
Humphrey seemed bewildered. "And wouldst thou trust a traitor?" he at
length demanded.
"Abroad, good Humphrey, and in a small matter, but not within these
walls."
The dense Humphrey showing still by his countenance that he could
not comprehend his mistress, Lady De Aldithely spoke more plainly. "I
must tell thee, Humphrey, that Robert Sadler designeth for a sum of
money to deliver Josceline to the king."
Humphrey stared.
"I have discovered it, and have been almost crazed in consequence. But
a deliverer hath come."
"I saw no one," said Humphrey in a dazed tone.
"Didst thou not see Hugo?" asked Lady De Aldithely with a faint smile.
"My lord will be fain to do much for him when he heareth what Hugo
will do for Josceline."
"And what can a lad like him do?" demanded Humphrey. "Thou hadst
better trust me. I am forty years of age and have served the De
Aldithelys all my life."
"I do trust thee, Humphrey, and I do honor thee by sending thee to
attend on this brave lad, Hugo."

"I will not go," declared Humphrey. "Why should I leave thee and
Josceline to serve a stranger? Here I bide where my lord left me."
"Wilt thou not go at my command, Humphrey?"
There was no reply but a mutinous look, and Lady De Aldithely
continued, "Thou hast doubtless seen how very like in appearance
Hugo is to my son. This good lad, Hugo, this best of lads, Hugo, will,
for my sake and Josceline's, assume to be my son. He will ride forth
toward London as if he made to escape to his father in France. The
servants of the king will hear of it through the spies they keep in the
wood near us. They will pursue him while Josceline and I escape into
Scotland."
Humphrey reflected. "I see it, I see it," he said at last. "Hugo is the
good lad."
"He is indeed, Humphrey. So good I cannot see him go unattended.
Thou art the trustiest servant I have; and so I send thee with him to
keep him from what peril thou mayest, and to defend him in what thou
canst not ward off. Thou must serve him as thou wouldst Josceline, on
pain of my displeasure."
"I did dream of serpents," said Humphrey, slowly, "and they foretell a
prison. It were better for thee to abide here, for, perchance, it is not to
foretell the fate of Robert Sadler but the fate of Josceline that the dream
was sent."
"Abide here, and let Robert Sadler take my son? Nay, good Humphrey,
we must away. Hugo and thou to-morrow morn, Josceline and I
to-morrow night." And then Humphrey was dismissed with the
command, "Send Hugo to me."
Almost immediately the boy appeared, and Lady De Aldithely met him
with a smile. "I send thee forth to-morrow morn," she said, "and
Humphrey will go with thee--if thou be still of a mind to go."
"I am still of a mind to go, Lady De Aldithely," was the answer.

"Thou knowest the danger to thyself," she said. "And 'twere not to save
my only son, I could not let thee take such peril. Cross thou to France, I
charge thee, and take this favor to my husband. Tell him, because thou
wouldst do knightly service for me and mine, I give it thee. Thou wilt
not go unrewarded." And she held out a knot of blue ribbon.
The boy looked from it to her green robe, and back again. Lady De
Aldithely saw the look. "Green is not my color, Hugo," she said. "It is
but the fashion of the time." Suddenly she drew back her hand and laid
the knot against her sleeve. "See how the colors war," she said. "But
not more than truth and constancy with the wickedness of this most
wicked reign." Then she held out the knot of blue to him again.
"Receive it, dear lad," she said. "Whatever knightly service it is thine to
render after thou hast taken thy vow, thou canst render none greater
than thou dost now render to Matilda De Aldithely."
"And what service is that?" inquired Josceline as he came smiling into
the room. "And what solemn manner is this, my mother? There must be
great deeds afoot to warrant it." And he glanced from one to the other.
"Thou hast well come,