“No, Excellency. An unlooked-for event happened. He rode out from the grounds of the Hall, fighting his way, as it appeared, against a band of Rudby’s followers, who were attacking him, and ran into the arms of our men, who were watching for him. The attacking party, seeing, as they supposed, an unknown force of rescuers, turned and fled. The night was very dark, and the account of what took place is confused, but Wentworth was carried back to Corbiton, tried, and condemned for deserting while on duty and holding commerce with the enemy.” “Umph! What version did Wentworth give of the affair?” “He maintained he was no traitor, but did not give any explanation of his absence from duty.” “I thought Rudby had surrendered all arms and had taken the oath to remain neutral?” “His men were armed with staves only, and so Wentworth, better equipped, held his own against them.” “What view did the court take of this affray?” “They thought it merely a feint to cover the retreat of a discovered traitor. The night, as I said, was dark, and our men, being mounted, could not move silently. Knowing the house would be searched if Wentworth was hidden, this plan of seeming enmity against him was prepared beforehand, in case of discovery.” “How old a man is Rudby?” “Nearing fifty.” “What family has he?” “His two sons are supposed to be with the King at Oxford. There is one daughter at Rudby Hall.” “Humph! Is this the young man who is said to be a son of the late scoundrel, Strafford?” “Yes, Excellency.” “In that very blood is hatred of the people, contumely, and all arrogance. At heart he must be a Royalist And yet--and yet----where was he brought up?” “On the estate of Sir John Warburton, dead these some years back. Warburton was his grandfather.” “Where is the Warburton estate?” “It adjoins the lands of Rudby.” “A-h! Is the boy’s mother living?” “No. His only relative is a sister who seems to be the most bitter King-hater in all the land.” “Is there not a chance the boy was on his way to see his sister?” “It was thought not. She has been at liberty to visit him here, and has done so on various occasions.” “Has Wentworth ever been in action?” “Oh yes, Excellency, and he acquitted himself bravely enough.” “No hanging back; no wavering in the face of the foe?” “No, Excellency.” “Humph. Send Captain Bent to me with the papers. When he is gone, I wish you to bring me a trooper, some silent man who can be depended upon; an unerring marksman.” When Captain Bent arrived he handed to the General the papers he had taken from Armstrong. Cromwell examined them with great minuteness by the light of the candles, then set them in a bunch on the table without comment of any kind. “Did your prisoner resist at all, or make any attempt at escape?” “No, General.” “He made no protest then?” “He said England and Scotland were at peace, that he therefore needed no passport; that his arrest was illegal, and that you would be the first to admit as much.”