"I know it well," returned the other pacifically, "and when you return with the king, in triumph—may it be soon—His Majesty will know how to reward you." "Aye, that he will," muttered Steve, who was close enough to catch some of the conversation, in which he was greatly interested. "’Virtue is its own reward’ is the motto of the Stuarts!" "The highest reward King James can offer is to send me back as fast as horse and ship can carry me," cried Robin. "Even now—" "Even now, Captain," Steve broke in, "you are lucky in getting away alive. Don’t forget there is a price upon your head and the law’s protection—save the mark!—will be withdrawn in a few hours. After that your life is forfeit wherever the flag of England flies." "_My_ life! When has it not been forfeit?" returned Robin carelessly. "But your grace can be at ease; I have given my word to carry these letters safely to Paris and I will do so, God sparing me." "Enough! I should never have thought of doubting you, had not mine own eyes seen you at the masquerade with a certain fair sorceress whose spells are far more dangerous than sword or bullet. Right glad am I that Fate drives you from her before we lose one of our most valued captains in the same snare that has entangled the feet of all heroes, ancient and modern. Let us lose no time, for the love of Heaven; your only safety lies in swift flight!" And with malicious laughter, in which the other man heartily joined, he put spurs to his horse and urged the cavalcade to such speed as the heavy ground would permit. In spite of their haste, the sun was sinking behind the mists that rose from the river, before they saw its shimmer through the trees. The road upon which they emerged from the bridle-path took a sharp turn at this spot and passed close to a little inn—a mere peasant’s cottage, for all the announcement on the creaking signboard of entertainment for man and beast, and further information as to the hire and sale of boats at the adjacent ferry. "Go forward, Steve, and see what folks are about, and if there be a seaworthy boat to be had, while we keep within this thicket out of sight of passers-by," said the duke, backing his horse into the wood, while Steve and Percival dismounted to reconnoiter the premises. Steve quickly returned alone. "The ferry is close at hand," he said, "but I can find neither ferryman nor landlord. However, there are boats a-plenty at the landing, and if we press one for the king’s service, ’tis no more than a loyal subject should rejoice to contribute to the cause! The wind is fair, the tide is on the turn, I can hoist a sail and handle an oar, and ’twill be strange if we leave not Sheerness in our wake at sunrise."