"Great God, I thank thee for this bounteous gift presented by the hands of these, thy faithful servants," said Henry devoutly, as again he kneeled. "May I rule this, my fair, native land with justice, and under thy direction." Then again we all arose, and deafening cheers swept with redoubled vigour over the plains of Redmoor. "Throw yon bloody carrion across the back of some degraded horse, and then on to Leicester, where we will spend the night," said the King, as he pointed to Richard's body. Frederick and I had little difficulty in finding Michael; for during the preceding scene he had forced his way through the crowd and stood near behind us. We then joined in with the guards of our new sovereign and rode on to Leicester, with hearts lighter than they had been for many a long, black day; and yet with anxious minds, as we wondered whether Catesby had told the truth or no. CHAPTER XXVIII CONCLUSION When we reached our destination we handed Catesby over to the proper authorities, and from that time we had naught to do with his fate. We hastened by the shortest way to the Grey Friars' Church, and from there, when we had been directed, we went to the Sanctuary. Catesby had spoken the truth; the ring that I had taken from his finger gained for us admittance. At first Hazel refused to see us, and prayed protection of the church folk. Then I remembered me, and sent unto her our names. Instantly then were we admitted into her presence, and happy reunion took the place of torturous separation and maddening anxiety. "Come now, art happy and content?" I asked, when our joyous greeting had gone the rounds. "Yes, yes, so happy now, dear;--but how are thine ears?" she broke in suddenly. "Tush! 'twas a mere nothing; he but cut off the skin." However, she would not be content until I had taken off my helm and she had redressed the slight wounds. "But what became of him?" she asked, as a shudder ran through her frame. "I have not seen him since he was torturing thee. The next I knew I was within a closed, wheeled litter, travelling at a fearful pace, and this woman here, beside me. I tried to get out, but could not. Armed men rode all around the litter. Steadily did we travel on, stopping but seldom to get fresh horses, food, and some little rest, until we reached this place. Here have I been locked up and treated as a mad woman." "The fiend!" I cried. "Yes, Catesby had evidently been here and told them that I was his mad sister, which thought I was another, and this woman here hath been my keeper since I came." I walked over to where the woman--an old hag--was crouched on a bench in a corner, trembling with fear. "Thou mayest leave this place at once, madam," I said, "and thank God, which made thee so, that thou hast at least the sex of a woman.