"Think not of that," said his uncle. "Thou knowest that we all must lose our fathers; the old must pass away, and the young take their places. Thy grief, no doubt, is great; but bethink you of your duty. Thou must be prepared to rule this fair kingdom as did thy father, with an iron hand. A King is ever surrounded by traitors. 'Twas but this morning that I learned of a plot against thine authority, and, though some of those connected with the movement have, till to-day, been friends of mine, yet was I compelled to do my duty and cause them to be arrested. By Saint Paul! I swear I cannot yet believe them guilty; though by their acts they have caused the dark eye of suspicion to frown upon them. "To whom dost thou refer, uncle?" "Why, to those that thou wouldst least suspect," said Richard. "Thine own uncle--Lord Rivers--thy cousin--Sir Richard Grey--and Sir Thomas Vaughan." "And where are they now?" asked the young King, with alarm. "I had them sent to Pomfret Castle, that they might do no damage to your Majesty. Of course," he added, "when thou art crowned your Majesty must do with them as thou thinkest best." "Indeed I will release them the moment that I do sit upon the throne," exclaimed the King, with great heat. I heard no more of that which followed, for Richard led the little King into a private room, whither Buckingham followed them. I then took Harleston to a place where no one might overhear our conversation, and told to him my plan of going to London to warn the Queen. When I had finished my friend thought for some moments ere he remarked on my plan. "No, it should be dangerous for thee to go," said he; "Thou shouldst be missed, and then you might find yourself in the company of Rivers, at Pomfret." "What then dost thou suggest?" I asked. "Her Majesty must be warned." "Yes, her Majesty must be warned," he replied, musingly. "Ah! I have it," said he, speaking rapidly. "Send some faithful servant with a letter unto the Queen. Do but tell her that the three have been arrested; sign not thy name, for fear it fall into the wrong hands. A common soldier will not be missed, whereas Sir Walter Bradley should be." But then I thought of a plan that was better than my friend's; so I retired to a private place, and wrote the following letter, which is now--through the person to whom it was addressed not following a part of mine instructions,--in my possession, and which I hope ye will always preserve after I have gone to join those whose doings I am putting down. "_With the King, at Stony Stratford._ "LADY HAZEL WOODVILLE; "_Lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Queen, at Westminster._ "Perfectest of maids and truest of sweethearts; I send thee this message that its contents may not be seen by eyes not to be trusted. No one can suspect this packet to contain news of the greatest importance to the kingdom.