"She never told me, sire." "Reports have reached me that you have been seen near an old house called Pycroft, which is not a long ride from Dover. Did you see her there?" "Yes, sire." "Ah! that is better. Why did you go there?" "I do not think Your Majesty would be pleased if I told you." "That is possible, ay likely. Such as you often do that which might not please me. But tell me." "If I tell you I would rather speak to your private ear," I said. "Ay, and fancy you could get off a cock-and-bull story upon me. Nay, nay, methinks we are getting to the bottom of this thing. Now then, what led you to go to Pycroft?" "I had heard that there was something of great import there." "Ah, that is fine. But why should it displease me?" "Because it had to do with Your Majesty." "With me. With me. From whom did you hear of it in the first place?" "From a woman named Katharine Harcomb," I replied boldly. Charles Stuart started as though a wasp had stung him, and then he shrugged his shoulders scornfully. "I am weary of this," he said, "for the thing hath ceased to be sport. Let this boy and girl be securely guarded until I have time to look into the matter carefully." And then he turned negligently to the woman with whom he had been speaking, while the others in the company exchanged meaning glances. It was near midnight that same night when I was brought before the king again. CHAPTER XXV THE JUDGMENT OF THE KING It came about in this wise. I had been taken away by myself into an empty chamber, which was carefully guarded. Not that I was treated rudely. Rather marked respect was paid to me, and I lacked nothing which any man might desire. Nevertheless I had thought much of the scene through which I had been passing, and what it all portended. I could not help realizing that the king had dismissed us very abruptly, and that sore displeasure had rested upon his face as I had spoken. As for Constance, her condition troubled me more than my own. I had noted the look in the king's eyes as he had watched her, and remembering what men said concerning him, I feared much. I determined however that no harm should happen to her, whatever might befall, for did I not love her with all my heart, and had I not told her of my love? Moreover I had promised that I would protect her, and as I thought of this, even prison walls became as nought to me. It was while I was scheming how I should fulfil my promise to her that a lackey entered the room and bade me follow him.