"There!" Lord Stafford smoothed the piece of cloth complacently. "The thing that troubles is how to give her the papers and letters. 'Tis my belief that they would be as easy to deliver as to transcribe their contents upon cloth to give her. She must be made aware of the plan for her rescue." "What is the plan, father?" "To overwhelm her escort while she is taking the air, child. Babington is to come with one hundred men and carry Mary off. Her escort seldom consists of more than eighteen or twenty men, and we think she might be easily taken from them." "But would not other of Sir Amyas's men follow after and retake her?" "We hope to place her in a secure spot ere they could do so, Francis. Once across the border Elizabeth would have no power over her, and her son, unfilial though he hath shown himself, could not for very shame refuse her safe asylum. Then she might, if she would so choose, retire to France where she could dwell in peace." "She must have those letters, my father." "Yes, Francis; but how? My mind plays me false when I would discover a way. It is not active. We must think, think, Francis." Francis arose and walked to the window where she stood abstractedly looking through the lattice which overhung a large yard, surrounded by the stables of the hostelry. Some yeomen were dressing their own or their masters' horses, whistling, singing and laughing. Suddenly she bent forward eagerly. "My father," she cried, "prithee come here!" "What is it, Francis?" asked Lord Stafford joining her. "Dost see the boy on the cart that has just entered the yard?" "Yes." "What is he, think you?" "My child, he is a carter. What doth make thee so full of interest in him?" "Might it not be that as a carter he would go to Chartley sometimes?" "Gramercy! I see thy meaning. How full of wit thou art!" Francis smiled, much gratified. "If it can be compassed would it not be excellent to enter Chartley as a carter? The thing is to get within the gates. Then the delivery of the letters would be easy." "'Tis excellently thought of, child, but there are guards within as well. 'Twould still require adroitness to accomplish the rest." "Trust me! If I can get within, the rest shall follow," said she with great determination. "I will enter into talk with that carter and see what can be done with him. My father, do I bear myself in a manner befitting my garb?" "Thou art a very model of pagehood, Francis. Go, my child. Heavy as the burden of this emprise is it seems to have shifted its weight to thy shoulders. Find if the lad goes to Chartley, and if so, the way may be opened for us to enter therein. Divers means must be employed to accomplish our aims." The girl left the chamber and, assuming the careless frowardness of a page, sauntered into the yard. "Good-morrow, my lad," she said, stopping by the side of the boy who was busily engaged in removing sacks, baskets and other receptacles from the cart.