"I see. Then you have the royal permission for all this?"
"You have said it. Now, most scrupulous of men, proceed!"
"Look there!" exclaimed Hubert, suddenly pointing to a corner of the
rain. "Someone has seen us, and is going now to give the alarm."
"He shall miss it, though!" said Sir Norman, detecting, at the same
instant, a dark figure getting through the broken doorway; and striking
spurs into his horse, he was instantaneously beside it, out of the
saddle, and had grasped the retreater by the shoulder.
"By your leave!" exclaimed Sir Norman. "Not quite so fast! Stand out
here in the moonlight, until I see who you are."
"Let me go!" cried the man, grappling with his opponent. "I know who you
are, and I swear you'll never see moonlight or sunlight again, if you do
not instantly let me go."
Sir Norman recognized the voice with a perfect shout of delight.
"The duke, by all that's lucky! O, I'll let you go: but not until the
hangman gets hold of you. Villain and robber, you shall pay for your
misdeeds now!"
"Hold!" shouted the commanding voice of Count L'Estrange. "Cease, Sir
Norman Kingsley! there is no time, and this is no person for you to
scoff with. He is our prisoner, and shall show us the nearest way into
this den of thieves. Give me your sword, fellow, and be thankful I do
not make you shorter by a head with it."
"You do not know him!" cried Sir Norman; in vivid excitement. "I tell
you this is the identical scoundrel who attempted to rob and murder you
a few hours ago."
"So much the better! He shall pay for that and all his other
shortcomings, before long! But, in the meantime, I order him to bring us
before the rest of this outlawed crew."
"I shall do nothing of the kind," said the duke, sullenly.
"Just as you please. Here, my men, two of you take hold of this
scoundrel, and dispatch him at once."
The guard had all dismounted; and two of them came forward with edifying
obedience, to do as they were told.
The effect upon the duke was miraculous. Instantly he started up, with
an energy perfectly amazing: "No, no, no! I'll do it! Come this way, gentlemen, and I'll bring you
direct into their midst. O good Lord! whatever will become of us?"
This last frantic question was addressed to society in general, but Sir
Norman felt called upon to answer: "That's very easily told, my man. If you and the rest of your titled
associates receive your deserts (as there is no doubt you will) from the
gracious hand of our sovereign lord, the king, the strongest rope and
highest gallows at Tyburn will be your elevated destiny."