He stood looking down at her for a moment; she gave a little laugh, and looked away. "I know," said Sir Nicholas softly, "that I shall have rid the earth of a very knave when I rid it of Don Diego de Carvalho. As for you, señora----" He broke off, and threw up his head, intently listening. The sound of horses, approaching fast, was heard. He took a quick step forward, and before she could move had a hand hard clamped over Doña Beatrice's mouth, the other gripping her shoulder. There was a sound of trampling round at the front of the house, and at that moment Joshua's alarmed face peeped over the window-sill. The black brows lifted interrogatively. "Master, master, King's men!" whispered Joshua. He nodded briefly. "Rip me up your cloak. Quick, man!" His hand left Doña Beatrice's shoulder, and flicked the handkerchief from the sleeve of his doublet. Without ceremony he forced it into the lady's mouth. Not afraid, but cynical still, she was able to admire in a detached way his coolness, and to reflect that she could hardly recognise him now for the same man who had ruffled it so gaily in Madrid. He had a ruthless look now; there would be quick death for any who crossed his path to-night. Joshua threw his torn cloak into the room. A thunder of knocks on the front door in the distance set him shivering again. "For God's sake, master----!" Sir Nicholas answered never a word. With swift, sure movements he twisted one of the strips of cloth tightly round Doña Beatrice's gagged mouth, and tied it. Another encircled her body, pinning her arms to her sides. She made no resistance; over the bandage her eyes looked mockingly. If the King's men were at hand now El Beauvallet was doomed. There was a hurry of footsteps in the passage, servants were running to the front door. Sir Nicholas bent, passed the third strip round the lady's wide skirts, and hobbled her tightly. "In the King's name!" The peremptory voice reached the parlour; evidently the front door was open now. Sir Nicholas smiled grimly. "Now, señora!" he said, and lifted her up bodily. She was no light weight, but he carried her easily to the window. Her eyes no longer mocked; they looked startled now, for this was indeed the unexpected. "Take the lady!" said Sir Nicholas, and lowered her into Joshua's arms. "Beshrew your heart, master!" whispered Joshua, staggering under the burden. "Are you mad in very sooth? Come away, sir! For the love of God come swiftly!" "I come," said Sir Nicholas, and climbed lightly over the sill. He dropped to the ground, lifted his prisoner from Joshua's straining arms, and carried her off over his shoulder across the dark pleasaunce to the low wall, and the spinney beyond. "We are sped! we are sped!" almost moaned Joshua. "And you lug the wrong lady off with us! What now, master? Whither?"