ToMyFriendJOSEPHE。BRAY

CHAPTERI

Hereisastorythathaslaindormantforsevenhundredyears。AtfirstitwassuppressedbyoneofthePlantagenetkingsofEngland。Lateritwasforgotten。Ihappenedtodigitupbyaccident。Theaccidentbeingtherelationshipofmywife’scousintoacertainFatherSuperiorinaveryancientmonasteryinEurope。

HeletmepryaboutamongaquantityofmildewedandmustymanuscriptsandIcameacrossthis。Itisveryinteresting——partiallysinceitisabitofhithertounrecordedhistory，butprincipallyfromthefactthatitrecordsthestoryofamostremarkablerevengeandtheadventurouslifeofitsinnocentvictim——Richard，thelostprinceofEngland。

Intheretellingofit，Ihaveleftoutmostofthehistory。Whatinterestedmewastheuniquecharacteraboutwhomthetalerevolves——thevisoredhorsemanwho——butletuswaituntilwegettohim。

Itallhappenedinthethirteenthcentury，andwhileitwashappening，itshookEnglandfromnorthtosouthandfromeasttowest；andreachedacrossthechannelandshookFrance。Itstarted，directly，intheLondonpalaceofHenryIII，andwastheresultofaquarrelbetweentheKingandhispowerfulbrother-in-law，SimondeMontfort，EarlofLeicester。

Nevermindthequarrel，that’shistory，andyoucanreadallaboutitatyourleisure。ButonthisJunedayintheyearofourLord1243，HenrysoforgothimselfastoveryunjustlyaccuseDeMontfortoftreasoninthepresenceofanumberoftheKing’sgentlemen。

DeMontfortpaled。Hewasatall，handsomeman，andwhenhedrewhimselftohisfullheightandturnedthosegrayeyesonthevictimofhiswrath，ashedidthatday，hewasveryimposing。ApowerinEngland，secondonlytotheKinghimself，andwiththeheartofalioninhim，heansweredtheKingasnoothermaninallEnglandwouldhavedaredanswerhim。

"MyLordKing，"hecried，"thatyoubemyLordKingalonepreventsSimondeMontfortfromdemandingsatisfactionforsuchagrossinsult。Thatyoutakeadvantageofyourkingshiptosaywhatyouwouldneverdaresaywereyounotking，brandsmenotatraitor，thoughitdoesbrandyouacoward。"

Tensesilencefelluponthelittlecompanyoflordsandcourtiersastheseawfulwordsfellfromthelipsofasubject，addressedtohisking。Theywerehorrified，forDeMontfort’sboldchallengewastothembutlittleshortofsacrilege。

Henry，flushinginmortificationandanger，rosetoadvanceuponDeMontfort，butsuddenlyrecollectingthepowerwhichherepresented，hethoughtbetterofwhateveractionhecontemplatedand，withahaughtysneer，turnedtohiscourtiers。

"Come，mygentlemen，"hesaid，"methoughtthatweweretohaveaturnwiththefoilsthismorning。Alreadyitwaxethlate。Come，DeFulm！Come，Leybourn！"andtheKinglefttheapartmentfollowedbyhisgentlemen，allofwhomhaddrawnawayfromtheEarlofLeicesterwhenitbecameapparentthattheroyaldispleasurewasstrongagainsthim。AsthearrasfellbehindthedepartingKing，DeMontfortshruggedhisbroadshoulders，andturning，lefttheapartmentbyanotherdoor。

WhentheKing，withhisgentlemen，enteredthearmoryhewasstillsmartingfromthehumiliationofDeMontfort’sreproaches，andashelaidasidehissurcoatandplumedhattotakethefoilswithDeFulm，hiseyesalightedonthemasteroffence，SirJulesdeVac，whowasadvancingwiththeKing’sfoilandhelmet。HenryfeltinnomoodforfencingwithDeFulm，who，liketheothersycophantsthatsurroundedhim，alwaysallowedtheKingeasilytobesthimineveryencounter。

DeVacheknewtobetoojealousofhisfameasaswordsmantopermithimselftobeovercomebyaughtbutsuperiorskill，andthisdayHenryfeltthathecouldbestthedevilhimself。

Thearmorywasagreatroomonthemainfloorofthepalace，offtheguardroom。Itwasbuiltinasmallwingofthebuildingsothatithadlightfromthreesides。Inchargeofitwasthelean，grizzled，leather-skinnedSirJulesdeVac，anditwashewhomHenrycommandedtofacehiminmimiccombatwiththefoils，fortheKingwishedtogowithhammerandtongsatsomeonetoventhissuppressedrage。

SoheletDeVacassumetohismind’seyethepersonofthehatedDeMontfort，anditfollowedthatDeVacwasnearlysurprisedintoanearlyandmortifyingdefeatbytheKing’ssuddenandcleverattack。

HenryIIIhadalwaysbeenaccountedagoodswordsman，butthatdayhequiteoutdidhimselfand，inhisimagination，wasabouttorunthepseudoDeMontfortthroughtheheart，tothewildacclaimofhisaudience。ForthisfellpurposehehadbackedtheastoundedDeVactwicearoundthehallwhen，withacleverfeint，andbackwardstep，themasteroffencedrewtheKingintothepositionhewantedhim，andwiththesuddennessoflightning，alittletwistofhisfoilsentHenry’sweaponclangingacrossthefloorofthearmory。

Foraninstant，theKingstoodastenseandwhiteasthoughthehandofdeathhadreachedoutandtouchedhisheartwithitsicyfingers。TheepisodemeantmoretohimthanbeingbestedinplaybythebestswordsmaninEngland——forthatsurelywasnodisgrace——toHenryitseemedpropheticoftheoutcomeofafuturestrugglewhenheshouldstandfacetofacewiththerealDeMontfort；andthen，seeinginDeVaconlythecreatureofhisimaginationwithwhichhehadvestedthelikenessofhispowerfulbrother-in-law，HenrydidwhatheshouldliketohavedonetotherealLeicester。DrawingoffhisgauntletheadvancedclosetoDeVac。

"Dog！"hehissed，andstruckthemasteroffenceastingingblowacrosstheface，andspatuponhim。Thenheturnedonhisheelandstrodefromthearmory。

DeVachadgrownoldintheserviceofthekingsofEngland，buthehatedallthingsEnglishandallEnglishmen。ThedeadKingJohn，thoughhatedbyallothers，hehadloved，butwiththedeadKing’sbonesDeVac’sloyaltytothehouseheservedhadbeenburiedintheCathedralofWorcester。

DuringtheyearshehadservedasmasteroffenceattheEnglishCourt，thesonsofroyaltyhadlearnedtothrustandparryandcutasonlyDeVaccouldteachtheart，andhehadbeenasconscientiousinthedischargeofhisdutiesashehadbeeninhisunswervinghatredandcontemptforhispupils。

AndnowtheEnglishKinghadputuponhimsuchaninsultasmightonlybewipedoutbyblood。

Astheblowfell，thewiryFrenchmanclickedhisheelstogether，andthrowingdownhisfoil，hestooderectandrigidasamarblestatuebeforehismaster。Whiteandlividwashistensedrawnface，buthespokenoword。

HemighthavestrucktheKing，butthentherewouldhavebeenlefttohimnoalternativesavedeathbyhisownhand；forakingmaynotfightwithalessermortal，andhewhostrikesakingmaynotlive——theking’shonormustbesatisfied。

HadaFrenchkingstruckhim，DeVacwouldhavestruckback，andgloriedinthefatewhichpermittedhimtodieforthehonorofFrance；butanEnglishKing——pooh！adog；andwhowoulddieforadog？No，DeVacwouldfindothermeansofsatisfyinghiswoundedpride。Hewouldrevelinrevengeagainstthismanforwhomhefeltnoloyalty。Ifpossible，hewouldharmthewholeofEnglandifhecould，buthewouldbidehistime。Hecouldaffordtowaitforhisopportunityif，bywaiting，hecouldencompassamoreterriblerevenge。

DeVachadbeenborninParis，thesonofaFrenchofficerreputedthebestswordsmaninFrance。Thesonhadfollowedcloselyinthefootstepsofhisfatheruntil，onthelatter’sdeath，hecouldeasilyclaimthetitleofhissire。HowhehadleftFranceandenteredtheserviceofJohnofEnglandisnotofthisstory。AllthebearingthatthelifeofJulesdeVachasuponthehistoryofEnglandhingesuponbuttwoofhismanyattributes——hiswonderfulswordsmanshipandhisfearfulhatredforhisadoptedcountry。

CHAPTERII

SouthofthearmoryofWestminsterPalacelaythegardens，andhere，onthethirddayfollowingtheKing’saffronttoDeVac，mighthavebeenaseenablack-hairedwomangownedinavioletcyclas，richlyembroideredwithgoldabouttheyokeandatthebottomoftheloose-pointedsleeves，whichreachedalmosttothesimilarborderingonthelowerhemofthegarment。A

richlywroughtleatherngirdle，studdedwithpreciousstones，andheldinplacebyahugecarvedbuckleofgold，claspedthegarmentaboutherwaistsothattheupperportionfelloutwardoverthegirdleafterthemannerofablouse。Inthegirdlewasalongdaggerofbeautifulworkmanship。

Daintysandalsencasedherfeet，whileawimpleofvioletsilkborderedingoldfringe，laybecominglyoverherheadandshoulders。

Byhersidewalkedahandsomeboyofaboutthree，clad，likehiscompanion，ingaycolors。Histinysurcoatofscarletvelvetwasrichwithembroidery，whilebeneathwasaclose-fittingtunicofwhitesilk。Hisdoubletwasofscarlet，whilehislonghoseofwhitewerecross-garteredwithscarletfromhistinysandalstohisknees。Onthebackofhisbrowncurlssataflat-brimmed，round-crownedhatinwhichasingleplumeofwhitewavedandnoddedbravelyateachmoveoftheproudlittlehead。

Thechild’sfeatureswerewellmolded，andhisfrank，brighteyesgaveanexpressionofboyishgenerositytoafacewhichotherwisewouldhavebeentooarrogantandhaughtyforsuchamerebaby。Ashetalkedwithhiscompanion，littleflashesofperemptoryauthorityanddignity，whichsatstrangelyupononesotiny，causedtheyoungwomanattimestoturnherheadfromhimthathemightnotseethesmileswhichshecouldscarcerepress。

Presentlytheboytookaballfromhistunic，and，pointingatalittlebushnearthem，said，"Standyouthere，LadyMaud，byyonderbush。Iwouldplayattoss。"

Theyoungwomandidasshewasbid，andwhenshehadtakenherplaceandturnedtofacehimtheboythrewtheballtoher。Thustheyplayedbeneaththewindowsofthearmory，theboyrunningblithelyaftertheballwhenhemissedit，andlaughingandshoutinginhappygleewhenhemadeaparticularlygoodcatch。

Inoneofthewindowsofthearmoryoverlookingthegardenstoodagrim，gray，oldman，leaninguponhisfoldedarms，hisbrowsdrawntogetherinamalignantscowl，thecornersofhismouthsetinastern，coldline。

Helookeduponthegardenandtheplayingchild，anduponthelovelyyoungwomanbeneathhim，butwitheyeswhichdidnotsee，forDeVacwasworkingoutagreatproblem，thegreatestofallhislife。

Forthreedays，theoldmanhadbroodedoverhisgrievance，seekingforsomemeanstoberevengedupontheKingfortheinsultwhichHenryhadputuponhim。Manyschemeshadpresentedthemselvestohisshrewdandcunningmind，butsofarallhadbeenrejectedasunworthyoftheterriblesatisfactionwhichhiswoundedpridedemanded。

Hisfancieshad，forthemostpart，revolvedabouttheunsettledpoliticalconditionsofHenry’sreign，forfromthesehefelthemightwrestthatopportunitywhichcouldbeturnedtohisownpersonalusesandtotheharm，andpossiblytheundoing，oftheKing。

Foryearsaninmateofthepalace，andoftenalistenerinthearmorywhentheKingplayedatswordwithhisfriendsandfavorites，DeVachadheardmuchwhichpassedbetweenHenryIIIandhisintimatesthatcouldwellbeturnedtotheKing’sharmbyashrewdandresourcefulenemy。

WithallEngland，heknewtheuttercontemptinwhichHenryheldthetermsoftheMagnaChartawhichhesooftenviolatedalongwithhiskinglyoathtomaintainit。ButwhatallEnglanddidnotknow，DeVachadgleanedfromscrapsofconversationdroppedinthearmory：thatHenrywasevennownegotiatingwiththeleadersofforeignmercenaries，andwithLouisIXofFrance，forasufficientforceofknightsandmen-at-armstowagearelentlesswaruponhisownbaronsthathemighteffectivelyputastoptoallfutureinterferencebythemwiththeroyalprerogativeofthePlantagenetstomisruleEngland。

Ifhecouldbutlearnthedetailsofthisplan，thoughtDeVac：thepointoflandingoftheforeigntroops；theirnumbers；thefirstpointofattack。Ah，woulditnotbesweetrevengeindeedtobalktheKinginthisventuresodeartohisheart！

AwordtoDeClare，orDeMontfortwouldbringthebaronsandtheirretainersfortythousandstrongtooverwhelmtheKing’sforces。

AndhewouldlettheKingknowtowhom，andforwhatcause，hewasbeholdenforhisdefeatanddiscomfiture。PossiblythebaronswoulddeposeHenry，andplaceanewkinguponEngland’sthrone，andthenDeVacwouldmockthePlantagenettohisface。Sweet，kind，delectablevengeance，indeed！Andtheoldmanlickedhisthinlipsasthoughtotastethelastsweetvestigeofsomedaintymorsel。

AndthenChancecarriedalittleleatherballbeneaththewindowwheretheoldmanstood；andasthechildran，laughing，torecoverit，DeVac’seyesfelluponhim，andhisformerplanforrevengemeltedasthefogbeforethenoondaysun；andinitssteadthereopenedtohimthewholehideousplotoffearsomevengeanceasclearlyasitwerewritupontheleavesofagreatbookthathadbeenthrownwidebeforehim。And，insofarashecoulddirect，hevariednotonejotfromthedetailsofthatvividlyconceivedmasterpieceofhellishnessduringthetwentyyearswhichfollowed。

ThelittleboywhosoinnocentlyplayedinthegardenofhisroyalfatherwasPrinceRichard，thethree-year-oldsonofHenryIIIofEngland。Nopublishedhistorymentionsthislittlelostprince；onlythesecretarchivesofthekingsofEnglandtellthestoryofhisstrangeandadventurouslife。Hisnamehasbeenblottedfromtherecordsofmen；andtherevengeofDeVachaspassedfromtheeyesoftheworld；thoughinhistimeitwasarealandterriblethingintheheartsoftheEnglish。

CHAPTERIII

Fornearlyamonth，theoldmanhauntedthepalace，andwatchedinthegardensforthelittlePrinceuntilheknewthedailyroutineofhistinylifewithhisnursesandgovernesses。

HesawthatwhentheLadyMaudaccompaniedhim，theywerewonttorepairtothefarthermostextremitiesofthepalacegroundswhere，byalittleposterngate，sheadmittedacertainofficeroftheGuardstowhomtheQueenhadforbiddentheprivilegeofthecourt。

There，inasecludedbower，thetwoloverswhisperedtheirhopesandplans，unmindfuloftheroyalchargeplayingneglectedamongtheflowersandshrubberyofthegarden。

TowardthemiddleofJulyDeVachadhisplanswelllaid。HehadmanagedtocoaxoldBrus，thegardener，intolettinghimhavethekeytothelittleposterngateonthepleathathewishedtoindulgeinamidnightescapade，hintingbroadlyofafairladywhowastobethepartnerofhisadventure，and，whatwasmoretothepointwithBrus，atthesametimeslippingacoupleofgoldenzecchinsintothegardener’spalm。

Brus，liketheotherpalaceservants，consideredDeVacaloyalretainerofthehouseofPlantagenet。WhateverelseofmischiefDeVacmightbeupto，BruswasquitesurethatinsofarastheKingwasconcerned，thekeytotheposterngatewasassafeinDeVac’shandsasthoughHenryhimselfhadit。

Theoldfellowwonderedalittlethatthemoroseoldmasteroffenceshould，athistimeinlife，indulgeinfrivolousescapadesmorebefittingtheyoungersprigsofgentility，but，then，whatconcernwasitofhis？

Didhenothaveenoughtothinkabouttokeepthegardenssothathisroyalmasterandmistressmightfindpleasureintheshadedwalks，thewell-keptsward，andthegorgeousbedsoffoliageplantsandbloomingflowerswhichhesetwithsuchwondrousprecisionintheformalgarden？

Further，twogoldzecchinswerenotoftencomebysoeasilyasthis；andifthedearLordJesussawfit，inhisinfinitewisdom，totakethismeansofrewardinghispoorservant，itillbecamesuchawormashetoignorethedivinefavor。SoBrustookthegoldzecchinsandDeVacthekey，andthelittleprinceplayedhappilyamongtheflowersofhisroyalfather’sgarden，andallweresatisfied；whichwasasitshouldhavebeen。

Thatnight，DeVactookthekeytoalocksmithonthefarsideofLondon；

onewhocouldnotpossiblyknowhimorrecognizethekeyasbelongingtothepalace。Herehehadaduplicatemade，waitingimpatientlywhiletheoldmanfashioneditwiththecrudeinstrumentsofhistime。

Fromthislittleshop，DeVacthreadedhiswaythroughthedirtylanesandalleysofancientLondon，lightedatfarintervalsbyanoccasionalsmokylantern，untilhecametoasqualidtenementbutashortdistancefromthepalace。

Anarrowalleyranpastthebuilding，endingabruptlyatthebankoftheThamesinamolderingwoodendock，beneathwhichtheinkywatersoftheriverroseandfell，lappingthedecayingpilesandsurgingfarbeneaththedocktotheremotefastnessesinhabitedbythegreatfiercedockratsandtheirfiercerhumanantitypes。

SeveraltimesDeVacpacedthelengthofthisblackalleyinsearchofthelittledoorwayofthebuildinghesought。Atlengthhecameuponit，and，afterrepeatedpoundingwiththepommelofhissword，itwasopenedbyaslatternlyoldhag。

"Whatwouldyeofadecentwomanatsuchanungodlyhour？"shegrumbled。

"Ah，’tisye，mylord？"sheadded，hastily，astheflickeringraysofthecandlesheborelightedupDeVac’sface。"Welcome，myLord，thricewelcome。Thedaughterofthedevilwelcomesherbrother。"

"Silence，oldhag，"criedDeVac。"Isitnotenoughthatyouleechmeofgoodmarksofsuchaquantitythatyoumayeverafterwearmantlesofvillosaandfeastonsimnelbreadandmalmsey，thatyoumustneedsburdenmestillfurtherwiththeafflictionofthyviletongue？

"Hastthoutheclothesreadybundledandthekey，also，tothisgatetoperdition？Andtheroom：didstsettorightsthefurnishingsIhaddeliveredhere，andsweepthecentury-oldaccumulationoffilthandcobwebsfromthefloorandrafters？Why，theveryairreekedofthedeadRomanswhobuildedLondontwelvehundredyearsago。Methinks，too，fromthestink，theymusthavebeenRomanswineherdwhohabitedthisstywiththeirherds，an’Iventurethatthou，oldsow，hastnevertouchedbroomtotheplaceforfearofdisturbingtheancientrelicsofthykin。"

"Ceasethybabbling，LordSatan，"criedthewoman。"Iwouldratherhearthymoneytalkthanthou，forthoughitcomeaccursedandtaintedfromthyroguehand，yetitspeakswiththesamesweetandcommandingvoiceasitwerefreshfromthecoffersoftheholychurch。

"Thebundleisready，"shecontinued，closingthedoorafterDeVac，whohadnowentered，"andherebethekey；butfirstletushaveapayment。I

knownotwhatthyfoulworkmaybe，butfoulitisIknowfromthesecrecywhichyouhavedemanded，an’Idaresaytherewillbesomewhowouldpaywelltolearnthewhereaboutsoftheoldwomanandthechild，thysisterandhersonyoutellmetheybe，whoyouaresoanxioustohideawayinoldTil’sgarret。Soitbewellforyou，myLord，topayoldTilwellandaddafewguildersforthepeaceofhertongueifyouwouldthatyourprisonerfindpeaceinoldTil’shouse。"

"Fetchmethebundle，hag，"repliedDeVac，"andyoushallhavegoldagainstafinalsettlement；moreeventhanwebargainedforifallgoeswellandthouholdestthyviletongue。"

Buttheoldwoman’sthreatshadalreadycausedDeVacafeelingofuneasiness，whichwouldhavebeenreflectedtoanexaggerateddegreeintheoldwomanhadsheknownthedeterminationherwordshadcausedinthemindoftheoldmasteroffence。

Hisventurewasfartooserious，andtheresultsofexposuretoofraughtwithdanger，topermitofhistakinganychanceswithadisloyalfellow-conspirator。True，hehadnotevenhintedattheenormityoftheplotinwhichhewasinvolvingtheoldwoman，but，asshehadsaid，hissterncommandsforsecrecyhadtoldenoughtoarousehersuspicions，andwiththemhercuriosityandcupidity。SoitwasthatoldTilmightwellhavequailedinhertatteredsandalshadshebutevenvaguelyguessedthethoughtswhichpassedinDeVac’smind；buttheextragoldpieceshedroppedintoherwitheredpalmasshedeliveredthebundletohim，togetherwiththepromiseofmore，quiteeffectuallywonherloyaltyandhersilenceforthetimebeing。

Slippingthekeyintothepocketofhistunicandcoveringthebundlewithhislongsurcoat，DeVacsteppedoutintothedarknessofthealleyandhastenedtowardthedock。

Beneaththeplanks。hefoundaskiffwhichhehadmooredthereearlierintheevening，andunderneathoneofthethwartshehidthebundle。Then，castingoff，herowedslowlyuptheThamesuntil，belowthepalacewalls，hemooredneartothelittleposterngatewhichletintothelowerendofthegarden。

Hidingtheskiffasbesthecouldinsometangledbusheswhichgrewtothewater’sedge，settherebyorderoftheKingtoaddtothebeautyoftheaspectfromtheriverside，DeVaccreptwarilytotheposternand，unchallenged，enteredandsoughthisapartmentsinthepalace。

Thenextday，hereturnedtheoriginalkeytoBrus，tellingtheoldmanthathehadnotuseditafterall，sincematurereflectionhadconvincedhimofthefollyofhiscontemplatedadventure，especiallyinonewhoseyouthwaspast，andinwhosejointsthenightdampoftheThamesmightfindlodgementforrheumatism。

"Ha，SirJules，"laughedtheoldgardener，"VirtueandVicebetwinsisterswhocomerunningtodothebiddingofthesamefather，Desire。Weretherenodesiretherewouldbenovirtue，andbecauseonemandesireswhatanotherdoesnot，whoshallsaywhetherthechildofhisdesirebeviceorvirtue？Orontheotherhandifmyfrienddesireshisownwifeandifthatbevirtue，thenifIalsodesirehiswife，isnotthatlikewisevirtue，sincewedesirethesamething？ButiftoobtainourdesireitbenecessarytoexposeourjointstotheThames’fog，thenitwerevirtuetoremainathome。"

"Rightyousound，oldmole，"saidDeVac，smiling，"wouldthatImightlearntoreasonbyyourwondrouslogic；methinksitmightstandmeingoodsteadbeforeIbemucholder。"

"ThebestswordarminallChristendomneedsnootherlogicthanthesword，Ishouldthink，"saidBrus，returningtohiswork。

Thatafternoon，DeVacstoodinawindowofthearmorylookingoutuponthebeautifulgardenwhichspreadbeforehimtotheriverwalltwohundredyardsaway。Intheforegroundwerebox-borderedwalks，smooth，sleeklawns，andformalbedsofgorgeousfloweringplants，whilehereandtheremarblestatuesofwoodnymphandsatyrgleamed，sparklinginthebrilliantsunlight，or，halfshadedbyanoverhangingbush，tookonasemblanceoflifefromtheriotousplayoflightandshadowastheleavesabovethemmovedtoandfrointhefaintbreeze。Fartherinthedistance，theriverwallwashiddenbymorecloselymassedbushes，andtheformal，geometricprecisionofthenearerviewwasrelievedbyabackgroundofvine-coloredbowers，andaprofusionofsmalltreesandfloweringshrubsarrangedinstudieddisorder。

Throughthisseemingjunglerantortuouspaths，andthecarvedstonebenchesoftheopengardengaveplacetorusticseats，andswingssuspendedfromthebranchesoffruittrees。

TowardthisenchantingspotslowlywerewalkingtheLadyMaudandherlittlecharge，PrinceRichard；allignorantofthemaliciouswatcherinthewindowbehindthem。

Agreatpeacockstruttedproudlyacrossthewalkbeforethem，and，asRichardran，childlike，afterit，LadyMaudhastenedontothelittleposterngatewhichshequicklyunlocked，admittingherlover，whohadbeenwaitingwithout。Relockingthegatethetwostrolledarminarmtothelittlebowerwhichwastheirtrystingplace。

Astheloverstalked，allself-engrossed，thelittlePrinceplayedhappilyaboutamongthetreesandflowers，andnonesawthestern，determinedfacewhichpeeredthroughthefoliageatalittledistancefromtheplayingboy。

Richardwasdevotinghisroyalenergiestochasinganelusivebutterflywhichfatelednearerandnearertothecold，hardwatcherinthebushes。

CloserandclosercamethelittlePrince，andinanothermoment，hehadburstthroughthefloweringshrubs，andstoodfacingtheimplacablemasteroffence。

"YourHighness，"saidDeVac，bowingtothelittlefellow，"letoldDeVachelpyoucatchtheprettyinsect。"

Richard，havingoftenseenDeVac，didnotfearhim，andsotogethertheystartedinpursuitofthebutterflywhichbynowhadpassedoutofsight。

DeVacturnedtheirstepstowardthelittleposterngate，butwhenhewouldhavepassedthroughwiththetinyPrince，thelatterrebelled。

"Come，MyLordPrince，"urgedDeVac，"methinksthebutterflydidbutalightwithoutthewall，wecanhaveitandreturnwithinthegardeninaninstant。"

"Gothyselfandfetchit，"repliedthePrince；"theKing，myfather，hasforbidmesteppingwithoutthepalacegrounds。"

"Come，"commandedDeVac，moresternly，"noharmcancometoyou。"

ButthechildhungbackandwouldnotgowithhimsothatDeVacwasforcedtograsphimroughlybythearm。Therewasacryofrageandalarmfromtheroyalchild。

"Unhandme，sirrah，"screamedtheboy。"HowdareyoulayhandsonaprinceofEngland？"

DeVacclappedhishandoverthechild’smouthtostillhiscries，butitwastoolate。TheLadyMaudandherloverhadheardand，inaninstant，theywererushingtowardtheposterngate，theofficerdrawinghisswordasheran。

Whentheyreachedthewall，DeVacandthePrincewereupontheoutside，andtheFrenchmanhadclosedandwasendeavoringtolockthegate。But，handicappedbythestrugglingboy，hehadnottimetoturnthekeybeforetheofficerthrewhimselfagainstthepanelsandburstoutbeforethemasteroffence，closelyfollowedbytheLadyMaud。

DeVacdroppedthekeyand，stillgraspingthenowthoroughlyaffrightenedPrincewithhislefthand，drewhisswordandconfrontedtheofficer。

Therewerenowords，therewasnoneedofwords；DeVac’sintentionsweretooplaintonecessitateanyparley，sothetwofelluponeachotherwithgrimfury；thebraveofficerfacingthebestswordsmanthatFrancehadeverproducedinafutileattempttorescuehisyoungprince。

Inamoment，DeVachaddisarmedhim，but，contrarytothelawsofchivalry，hedidnotlowerhispointuntilithadfirstplungedthroughtheheartofhisbraveantagonist。Then，withabound，heleapedbetweenLadyMaudandthegate，sothatshecouldnotretreatintothegardenandgivethealarm。

Stillgraspingthetremblingchildinhisirongrip，hestoodfacingtheladyinwaiting，hisbackagainstthedoor。

"MonDieu，SirJules，"shecried，"hastthougonemad？"

"No，MyLady，"heanswered，"butIhadnotthoughttodotheworkwhichnowliesbeforeme。Whydidstthounotkeepastilltongueinthyheadandlethispatronsaintlookafterthewelfareofthisprinceling？Yourrashnesshasbroughtyoutoaprettypass，foritmustbeeitheryouorI，MyLady，anditcannotbeI。Saythyprayersandcomposethyselffordeath。"

HenryIII，KingofEngland，satinhiscouncilchambersurroundedbythegreatlordsandnobleswhocomposedhissuit。HeawaitedSimondeMontfort，EarlofLeicester，whomhehadsummonedthathemightheapstillfurtherindignitiesuponhimwiththeintentionofdegradingandhumiliatinghimthathemightleaveEnglandforever。TheKingfearedthismightykinsmanwhosoboldlyadvisedhimagainsttheweakfollieswhichwerebringinghiskingdomtoaconditionofrevolution。

Whattheoutcomeofthisaudiencewouldhavebeennonemaysay，forLeicesterhadbutjustenteredandsalutedhissovereignwhentherecameaninterruptionwhichdrownedthepettywranglesofkingandcourtierinacommonafflictionthattouchedtheheartsofall。

Therewasacommotionatonesideoftheroom，thearrasparted，andEleanor，QueenofEngland，staggeredtowardthethrone，tearsstreamingdownherpalecheeks。

"Oh，MyLord！MyLord！’shecried，"Richard，ourson，hasbeenassassinatedandthrownintotheThames。"

Inaninstant，allwasconfusionandturmoil，anditwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheKingfinallyobtainedacoherentstatementfromhisqueen。

ItseemedthatwhentheLadyMaudhadnotreturnedtothepalacewithPrinceRichardatthepropertime，theQueenhadbeennotifiedandanimmediatesearchhadbeeninstituted——asearchwhichdidnotendforovertwentyyears；butthefirstfruitsofitturnedtheheartsofthecourttostone，fortherebesidetheopenposterngatelaythedeadbodiesofLadyMaudandacertainofficeroftheGuards，butnowherewasthereasignortraceofPrinceRichard，secondsonofHenryIIIofEngland，andatthattimetheyoungestprinceoftherealm。

ItwastwodaysbeforetheabsenceofDeVacwasnoted，andthenitwasthatoneofthelordsinwaitingtotheKingremindedhismajestyoftheepisodeofthefencingbout，andamotivefortheabductionoftheKing’slittlesonbecameapparent。

AnedictwasissuedrequiringtheexaminationofeverychildinEngland，forontheleftbreastofthelittlePrincewasabirthmarkwhichcloselyresembledalilyand，whenafterayearnochildwasfoundbearingsuchamarkandnotraceofDeVacuncovered，thesearchwascarriedintoFrance，norwasiteverwhollyrelinquishedatanytimeformorethantwentyyears。

Thefirsttheory，ofassassination，wasquicklyabandonedwhenitwassubjectedtothelightofreason，foritwasevidentthatanassassincouldhavedispatchedthelittlePrinceatthesametimethathekilledtheLadyMaudandherlover，hadsuchbeenhisdesire。

ThemosteagerfactorinthesearchforPrinceRichardwasSimondeMontfort，EarlofLeicester，whoseaffectionforhisroyalnephewhadalwaysbeensomarkedastohavebeencommenteduponbythemembersoftheKing’shousehold。

ThusforatimetherupturebetweenDeMontfortandhiskingwashealed，andalthoughthegreatnoblemanwasdivestedofhisauthorityinGascony，hesufferedlittlefurtheroppressionatthehandsofhisroyalmaster。

CHAPTERIV

AsDeVacdrewhisswordfromtheheartoftheLadyMaud，hewinced，for，mercilessthoughhewas，hehadshrunkfromthiscrueltask。Toofarhehadgone，however，tobackdownnow，and，hadhelefttheLadyMaudalive，thewholeofthepalaceguardandallthecityofLondonwouldhavebeenonhisheelsintenminutes；therewouldhavebeennoescape。

ThelittlePrincewasnowsoterrifiedthathecouldbuttrembleandwhimperinhisfright。SofearfulwasheoftheterribleDeVacthatathreatofdeatheasilystilledhistongue，andsothegrim，oldmanledhimtotheboathiddendeepinthedensebushes。

DeVacdidnotdareremaininthisretreatuntildark，ashehadfirstintended。Instead，hedrewadingy，raggeddressfromthebundlebeneaththethwartandinthisdisguisedhimselfasanoldwoman，drawingacottonwimplelowoverhisheadandforeheadtohidehisshorthair。Concealingthechildbeneaththeotherarticlesofclothing，hepushedofffromthebank，and，rowingclosetotheshore，hasteneddowntheThamestowardtheolddockwhere，thepreviousnight，hehadconcealedhisskiff。Hereachedhisdestinationunnoticed，and，runninginbeneaththedock，workedtheboatfarintothedarkrecessofthecave-likeretreat。

Herehedeterminedtohideuntildarknesshadfallen，forheknewthatthesearchwouldbeonforthelittlelostPrinceatanymoment，andthatnonemighttraversethestreetsofLondonwithoutbeingsubjecttotheclosestscrutiny。

Takingadvantageoftheforcedwait，DeVacundressedthePrinceandclothedhiminothergarments，whichhadbeenwrappedinthebundlehiddenbeneaththethwart；alittleredcottontunicwithhosetomatch，ablackdoubletandatinyleatherjerkinandleathercap。

ThediscardedclothingofthePrincehewrappedaboutahugestonetornfromthedisintegratingmasonryoftheriverwall，andconsignedthebundletothevoicelessriver。

ThePrincehadbynowregainedsomeofhisformerassuranceand，findingthatDeVacseemednottointendharminghim，thelittlefellowcommencedquestioninghisgrimcompanion，hischildishwonderatthisstrangeadventuregettingthebetterofhisformerapprehension。

"Whatdowehere，SirJules？"heasked。"TakemebacktotheKing’s，myfather’spalace。Ilikenotthisdarkholenorthestrangegarmentsyouhaveplaceduponme。"

"Silence，boy！"commandedtheoldman。"SirJulesbedead，norareyouaking’sson。Rememberthesetwothingswell，noreveragainletmehearyouspeakthenameSirJules，orcallyourselfaprince。"

Theboywentsilent，againcowedbythefiercetoneofhiscaptor。

Presentlyhebegantowhimper，forhewastiredandhungryandfrightened——justapoorlittlebaby，helplessandhopelessinthehandsofthiscruelenemy——allhisroyaltyasnothing，allgonewiththesilkenfinerywhichlayinthethickmudatthebottomoftheThames，andpresentlyhedroppedintoafitfulsleepinthebottomoftheskiff。

Whendarknesshadsettled，DeVacpushedtheskiffoutwardtothesideofthedockand，gatheringthesleepingchildinhisarms，stoodlistening，preparatorytomountingtothealleywhichledtooldTil’splace。

Ashestoodthus，afaintsoundofclankingarmorcametohisattentiveears；louderandlouderitgrewuntiltherecouldbenodoubtbutthatanumberofmenwereapproaching。

DeVacresumedhisplaceintheskiff，andagaindrewitfarbeneaththedock。Scarcelyhadhedonesoereapartyofarmoredknightsandmen-at-armsclankedoutupontheplanksabovehimfromthemouthofthedarkalley。Heretheystoppedasthoughforconsultationandplainlycouldthelistenerbelowheareverywordoftheirconversation。

"DeMontfort，"saidone，"whatthinkestthouofit？CanitbethattheQueenisrightandthatRichardliesdeadbeneaththeseblackwaters？"

"No，DeClare，"repliedadeepvoice，whichDeVacrecognizedasthatoftheEarlofLeicester。"ThehandthatcouldstealthePrincefromoutoftheverygardensofhissirewithouttheknowledgeofLadyMaudorhercompanion，whichmustevidentlyhavebeenthecase，couldmoreeasilyandsafelyhavedispatchedhimwithinthegardenshadthatbeentheobjectofthisstrangeattack。Ithink，MyLord，thatpresentlyweshallhearfromsomeboldadventurerwhoholdsthelittlePrinceforransom。Godgivethatsuchmaybethecase，forofallthewinsomeandaffectionatelittlefellowsIhaveeverseen，notevenexceptingmineowndearson，thelittleRichardwasthemosttobebeloved。WouldthatImightgetmyhandsuponthefouldevilwhohasdonethishorriddeed。"

Beneaththeplanks，notfourfeetfromwhereLeicesterstood，laytheobjectofhissearch。Theclankingarmor，theheavyspurredfeet，andthevoicesabovehimhadawakenedthelittlePrinceand，withastartledcry，hesatuprightinthebottomoftheskiff。InstantlyDeVac’sironbandclappedoverthetinymouth，butnotbeforeasinglefaintwailhadreachedtheearsofthemenabove。

"Hark！Whatwasthat，MyLord？"criedoneofthemen-at-arms。

IntensesilencetheylistenedforarepetitionofthesoundandthenDeMontfortcriedout：

"Whatho，belowthere！Whoisitbeneaththedock？Answer，inthenameoftheKing！"

Richard，recognizingthevoiceofhisfavoriteuncle，struggledtofreehimself，butDeVac’sruthlesshandcrushedouttheweakeffortsofthebabe，andallwasquietasthetomb，whilethoseabovestoodlisteningforarepetitionofthesound。

"Dockrats，"saidDeClare，andthenasthoughthedevilguidedthemtoprotecthisown，twohugeratsscurriedupwardfrombetweenthelooseboards，andransquealingupthedarkalley。

"Rightyouare，"saidDeMontfort，"butIcouldhavesworn’twasachild’sfeeblewailhadInotseenthetwofilthyrodentswithmineowneyes。

Come，letustothenextvilealley。Wehavemetwithnosuccesshere，thoughthatoldhagwhocalledherselfTilseemedoveranxioustobargainforthefutureinformationsheseemedhopefulofbeingabletogiveus。"

Astheymovedoff，theirvoicesgrewfainterintheearsofthelistenersbeneaththedockandsoonwerelostinthedistance。

"Acloseshave，"thoughtDeVac，asheagaintookupthechildandpreparedtogainthedock。Nofurthernoisesoccurringtofrightenhim，hesoonreachedthedoortoTil’shouseand，insertingthekey，creptnoiselesslytothegarretroomwhichhehadrentedfromhisill-favoredhostess。

Therewerenostairsfromtheupperfloortothegarretabove，thisascentbeingmadebymeansofawoodenladderwhichDeVacpulledupafterhim，closingandsecuringtheaperture，throughwhichheclimbedwithhisburden，bymeansofaheavytrapdoorequippedwiththickbars。

Theapartmentwhichtheynowenteredextendedacrosstheentireeastendofthebuilding，andhadwindowsuponthreesides。Thesewereheavilycurtained。Theapartmentwaslightedbyasmallcressethangingfromarafternearthecenteroftheroom。

Thewallswereunplasteredandtheraftersunceiled；thewholebearingamostbarnlikeandunhospitableappearance。

Inonecornerwasahugebed，andacrosstheroomasmallercot；acupboard，atable，andtwobenchescompletedthefurnishings。ThesearticlesDeVachadpurchasedfortheroomagainstthetimewhenheshouldoccupyitwithhislittleprisoner。

Onthetablewerealoafofblackbread，anearthenwarejarcontaininghoney，apitcherofmilkandtwodrinkinghorns。Tothese，DeVacimmediatelygavehisattention，commandingthechildtopartakeofwhathewished。

HungerforthemomentovercamethelittlePrince’sfears，andhesettowithavidityuponthestrange，roughfare，madedoublycoarsebytherudeutensilsandthebaresurroundings，sounliketheroyalmagnificenceofhispalaceapartments。

Whilethechildate，DeVachastenedtothelowerfloorofthebuildinginsearchofTil，whomhenowthoroughlymistrustedandfeared。ThewordsofDeMontfort，whichhehadoverheardatthedock，convincedhimthatherewasonemoreobstacletothefulfillmentofhisrevengewhichmustberemovedashadtheLadyMaud；butinthisinstancetherewasneitheryouthnorbeautytopleadthecauseoftheintendedvictim，ortocausethegrimexecutionerapangofremorse。

Whenhefoundtheoldhag，shewasalreadydressedtogouponthestreet，infactheinterceptedherattheverydoorofthebuilding。Stillcladashewasinthemantleandwimpleofanoldwoman，Tildidnot，atfirst，recognizehim，andwhenhespoke，sheburstintoanervous，cacklinglaugh，asonecaughtintheperpetrationofsomequestionableact，nordidhermannerescapetheshrewdnoticeofthewilymasteroffence。

"Whither，oldhag？"heasked。

"TovisitMagTunkatthealley’send，bytheriver，MyLord，"shereplied，withmorerespectthanshehadbeenwonttoaccordhim。

"Then，Iwillaccompanyyoupartway，myfriend，and，perchance，youcangivemeahandwithsomepackagesIleftbehindmeintheskiffIhavemooredthere。"

Andsothetwowalkedtogetherthroughthedarkalleytotheendoftherickety，dismantleddock；theonethinkingofthevastrewardtheKingwouldlavishuponherfortheinformationshefeltsureshealonecouldgive；theotherfeelingbeneathhismantleforthehiltofalongdaggerwhichnestledthere。

Astheyreachedthewater’sedge，DeVacwaswalkingwithhisrightshoulderbehindhiscompanion’sleft，inhishandwasgrippedthekeenbladeand，asthewomanhaltedonthedock，thepointthathoveredjustbelowherleftshoulder-bladeplunged，soundless，intoherheartatthesameinstantthatDeVac’slefthandswungupandgraspedherthroatinagripofsteel。

Therewasnosound，barelyastruggleoftheconvulsivelystiffeningoldmuscles，andthen，withapushfromDeVac，thebodylungedforwardintotheThames，whereadullsplashmarkedtheendofthelasthopethatPrinceRichardmightberescuedfromtheclutchesofhisNemesis。

CHAPTERV

ForthreeyearsfollowingthedisappearanceofPrinceRichard，abentoldwomanlivedintheheartofLondonwithinastone’sthrowoftheKing’spalace。Inasmallbackroomshelived，highupintheatticofanoldbuilding，andwithherwasalittleboywhoneverwentabroadalone，norbyday。Anduponhisleftbreastwasastrangemarkwhichresembledalily。

Whenthebentoldwomanwassafelyinheratticroom，withbolteddoorbehindher，shewaswonttostraightenup，anddiscardherdingymantleformorecomfortableandbecomingdoubletandhose。

Foryears，sheworkedassiduouslywiththelittleboy’seducation。Therewerethreesubjectsinhercurriculum；French，swordsmanshipandhatredofallthingsEnglish，especiallythereigninghouseofEngland。

Theoldwomanhadhadmadeatinyfoilandhadcommencedteachingthelittleboytheartoffencewhenhewasbutthreeyearsold。

"Youwillbethegreatestswordsmanintheworldwhenyouaretwenty，myson，"shewaswonttosay，"andthenyoushallgooutandkillmanyEnglishmen。YournameshallbehatedandcursedthelengthandbreadthofEngland，andwhenyoufinallystandwiththehalteraboutyourneck，aha，thenwillIspeak。Thenshalltheyknow。"

Thelittleboydidnotunderstanditall，heonlyknewthathewascomfortable，andhadwarmclothing，andallherequiredtoeat，andthathewouldbeagreatmanwhenhelearnedtofightwitharealsword，andhadgrownlargeenoughtowieldone。HealsoknewthathehatedEnglishmen，butwhy，hedidnotknow。

Waybackintheuttermostrecessesofhislittle，childishhead，heseemedtorememberatimewhenhislifeandsurroundingshadbeenverydifferent；

when，insteadofthisoldwoman，therehadbeenmanypeoplearoundhim，andasweetfacedwomanhadheldhiminherarmsandkissedhim，beforehewastakenofftobedatnight；buthecouldnotbesure，maybeitwasonlyadreamheremembered，forhedreamedmanystrangeandwonderfuldreams。

Whenthelittleboywasaboutsixyearsofage，astrangemancametotheirattichometovisitthelittleoldwoman。Itwasintheduskoftheeveningbuttheoldwomandidnotlightthecresset，andfurther，shewhisperedtothelittleboytoremainintheshadowsofafarcornerofthebarechamber。

Thestrangerwasoldandbentandhadagreatbeardwhichhidalmosthisentirefaceexceptfortwopiercingeyes，agreatnoseandabitofwrinkledforehead。Whenhespoke，heaccompaniedhiswordswithmanyshrugsofhisnarrowshouldersandwithwavingofhisarmsandotherstrangeandamusinggesticulations。Thechildwasfascinated。Herewasthefirstamusementofhislittlestarvedlife。Helistenedintentlytotheconversation，whichwasinFrench。

"Ihavejustthethingformadame，"thestrangerwassaying。"Itbeanobleandstatelyhallfarfromthebeatenway。ItwasbuiltintheolddaysbyHaroldtheSaxon，butinlatertimes，deathandpovertyandthedisfavoroftheKinghavewresteditfromhisdescendants。Afewyearssince，Henrygrantedittothatspend-thriftfavoriteofhis，HenrideMacy，whopledgedittomeforasumhehathbeenunabletorepay。Todayitbemyproperty，andasitbefarfromParis，youmayhaveitforthemeresongIhavenamed。Itbeawondrousbargain，madame。"

"AndwhenIcomeuponit，IshallfindthatIhaveboughtacrumblingpileofruinedmasonry，unfittohouseafamilyoffoxes，"repliedtheoldwomanpeevishly。

"Onetowerhathfallen，andtheroofforhalfthelengthofonewinghathsaggedandtumbledin，"explainedtheoldFrenchman。"Butthethreelowerstoriesbeintactandquitehabitable。ItbemuchgranderevennowthanthecastlesofmanyofEngland’snoblebarons，andtheprice，madame——-

ah，thepricebesoridiculouslylow。"

Stilltheoldwomanhesitated。

"Come，"saidtheFrenchman，"Ihaveit。DepositthemoneywithIsaactheJew——thouknowesthim？——andheshallholdittogetherwiththedeedforfortydays，whichwillgivetheeampletimetotraveltoDerbyandinspectthypurchase。Ifthoubenotentirelysatisfied，IsaactheJewshallreturnthymoneytotheeandthedeedtome，butifattheendoffortydaysthouhastnotmadedemandforthymoney，thenshallIsaacsendthedeedtotheeandthemoneytome。Benotthisaneasyandfairwayoutofthedifficulty？"

Thelittleoldwomanthoughtforamomentandatlastconcededthatitseemedquiteafairwaytoarrangethematter。Andthusitwasaccomplished。

Severaldayslater，thelittleoldwomancalledthechildtoher。

"Westarttonightuponalongjourneytoournewhome。Thyfaceshallbewrappedinmanyrags，forthouhastamostgrievoustoothache。Dostunderstand？"

"ButIhavenotoothache。Myteethdonotpainmeatall。I——"

expostulatedthechild。

"Tut，tut，"interruptedthelittleoldwoman。"Thouhastatoothache，andsothyfacemustbewrappedinmanyrags。Andlisten，shouldanyasktheeuponthewaywhythyfacebesowrapped，thouarttosaythatthouhastatoothache。AndthoudonotdoasIsay，theKing’smenwilltakeusandweshallbehanged，fortheKinghatethus。IfthouhatesttheEnglishKingandlovestthylifedoasIcommand。"

"IhatetheKing，"repliedthelittleboy。"ForthisreasonIshalldoasthousayest。"

SoitwasthattheysetoutthatnightupontheirlongjourneynorthtowardthehillsofDerby。Formanydaystheytravelled，ridingupontwosmalldonkeys。StrangesightsfilledthedaysforthelittleboywhorememberednothingoutsidethebareatticofhisLondonhomeandthedirtyLondonalleysthathehadtraversedonlybynight。

Theywoundacrossbeautifulparklikemeadowsandthroughdark，forbiddingforests，andnowandagaintheypassedtinyhamletsofthatchedhuts。

Occasionallytheysawarmoredknightsuponthehighway，aloneorinsmallparties，butthechild’scompanionalwaysmanagedtohastenintocoverattheroadsideuntilthegrimridershadpassed。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读