"What could I have done? The four of us together might have cut down or disposed of a dozen men out of the thirty; the rest would have worked their will; there would have been no one left to save her." I gritted my teeth as I spoke: "I will rescue her, or avenge her. We alone in the three kingdoms are able to help her. Do you think that I intend to sit calmly by and let her fall into the arms of the King? It was a part of the plan to discredit me in the mind of my wife, to make it easier for him to overcome her resistance." "But you took the money." "Certainly; why not? We shall have need of all of it and more mayhap. We'll fight the King with his own coin." "What mean you to do?" "When my wife is brought before the King, I mean to be there." "But how?" "I don't know; I shall accomplish it in some way; I saved my own life but to lay it down again for her. God help the King when he comes under my hand!" "My lad," said the Earl, at last convinced, "I did, indeed, misjudge you. Forgive me. My hand." "And mine too, sir," said Master Dunner, "if in truth you will honour me." I grasped them both eagerly, saying: "We waste time, gentlemen; we must be doing." "What plans have you?" "I ride south to-night; the King was at Durham; its nearest port is Sunderland. That ship will take her there; at least, I think so. If I could only have some assurance..." At that juncture I caught sight of a figure moving in the trees; instantly my pistol was out of its holster and levelled in that direction. "Hands up," I cried, "or you shall be shot down!" "I have no fear of your weapon, sir soldier," came from the coppice, "but, because I can render you service, I..." "Come forth," said I, as a sturdy Scotsman stepped out upon the road and saluted me. "Those men raided my little farm, yonder, before you came; they rudely kissed my wife by force; they killed my chickens, milked my cows, and destroyed my garden. Afterwards they talked freely enough. I know the whole plan, and would have got to you and warned you of it had they not kept me in close ward. They are to take the lady to King James at Sunderland, or Monkwearmouth." "You hear, my lord!" I cried to the Earl triumphantly. I opened the King's purse, got out some of the King's guineas, and passed them over to the faithful man. "Here's for you," said I. "That will pay for the chickens and the milk and the other things, except the kiss and the insults to my wife." "And who took them?" I asked. "The man in the lead." "I shall add your score to mine, my friend, and, rest assured, he shall pay high for both. Tell your woman so." "I'd rather assist in the paying myself, your honour," said the Scotsman. "You see, sir, I am an old soldier and have been to the wars; I can wield a heavy claymore still; my ancestors have fought alongside Lord Clanranald's; if you wish me, I will go with you."