Jumping from saddle and letting his horse run loose to be caught by the grooms, he sprang up the steps. In the anteroom the page met him with the information that Their Majesties were on the wall and were not to be disturbed. But at the first word, Ratcliffe dashed into the King's chamber and thence to the ramparts. Richard saw him coming and went quickly to meet him. "What is it?" he demanded. "Where is De Bury?" Ratcliffe asked. "Gone for a ride with the Countess." "I feared it. I found his horse at the foot of the hill, trotting toward the castle from the West. There is blood on the saddle cloth, and the rein is cut in twain at the bit." "Foul work!" the King exclaimed. "Send an order to the camp for a hundred men to scour the country toward the Aire, and let another fifty muster before the barbican at daybreak; then come to me." . . . and turning, he sauntered back to the Queen. "Come, my dear, let us go in," he said, putting his arm through hers, "I must take up some matters that Ratcliffe has brought. And do you remain, De Lacy; perchance you can aid me." "Will you be occupied very late?" she asked, as he held back the arras. "Only a short time, my dear. I will come to you presently," and himself closed the door behind her. "Are you very weary?" he asked De Lacy. "Fit for any service Your Majesty may wish." "It will be your own service." "Mine! Mine! . . . You cannot mean----" taking a step forward. "Steady, man, steady! I mean only that Sir John's riderless horse has just been found near the castle, with severed rein and bloody saddle." De Lacy passed his hand across his forehead. "And Beatrix?" he asked huskily. The King shook his head. Again Aymer passed his hand across his eyes; his brain was working very slowly how. "You have given orders?" he asked. "One hundred men-at-arms are seeking for a clue. Fifty others will await you at the barbican at daybreak." "Meanwhile I, too, will seek," and he sprang toward the door--and into Ratcliffe's arms. "Stay, Sir Aymer," said the King; "it would do no good for you to search at night--you may go far astray. All that can be done till daybreak the scouts will do. . . You gave the orders, Ratcliffe?" "I did, and venture to amplify them by sending twenty men along the North road as far as the Aire for any trace of Sir John or of the fight--for, of course, there was a fight." "And a passing hard one ere De Bury was unhorsed," said Richard. "The remaining eighty," Ratcliffe continued, "I divided into bands of ten and five, bidding them follow every cross-road or bridle-path, and inquire for information from every traveler and at every habitation. The instant aught is discovered you will be advised." The King turned to De Lacy. "You rescued Sir John when he was attacked last April near his own castle; might this be the same band?" Aymer shook his head. "We killed all of them but one."