The chargers had been carefully tended by Sir John's men, who did not fail to point out that they were not taking their corn happily; and it was perfectly evident to everyone that their hard day's work, following so closely upon much riding down to the port and the stormy crossing, had made them in a very unsatisfactory condition.

"Humph!" grunted the King. "They don't look as I should like."

"Splendid beasts," said Sir John; "but they want eight and forty hours'

rest. You will not think of continuing your journey to-day?"

"Indeed but I shall," said the King,--"er--that is--how do you think they look, Saint Simon?"

"Bough," said the young man laconically.

The King grunted and frowned.

"I fear you think that you will not be welcome, my lord," said Sir John, "and I beg that you will dismiss all such thoughts. Make up your mind, pray, to stay for the next eight and forty hours. I beg you will. Then we shall see how the poor beasts are. Besides, we have to think of our young friend."

The result was that the King consented to stop for the aforesaid forty-eight hours, at the end of which time, feeling himself very comfortable and enjoying his host's company, he needed very little pressure to prolong his stay, especially as Leoni announced that, though Denis was mending fast, riding might have a bad effect and delay his recovery.

The King's Esquires--by George Manville Fenn

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE DOCTOR IS BUSY.

But the King could not conceal his anxiety to be once more in the saddle _en route_ for Windsor; and although Sir John Carrbroke urged him to remain so far as the dictates of hospitality required, yet he forbore when he saw the impatience of his guest to be once more on his way, and at dinner the night before the departure he spoke only of the journey to be undertaken on the following day.

"You will find the roads safe enough from here onward, sir," he said courteously, and the King bowed gravely.

"I trust so," he said; "I trust so. England had been represented to me as a land where everyone was safe."

Sir John leaned forward.

"I doubt not," he said, "that when you represent to his Majesty the peril you encountered the south will be cleared of that roving band."

The King laughed.

"Well, we did something towards ridding the country of the robbers, eh, Leoni? I--" He stopped speaking, for at that minute there was the sound of a horse cantering into the courtyard, and a minute later Sir John's own serving-man entered the apartment.

"It is a message, Sir John," he said, "for my young master." And he handed a doc.u.ment to Ned Carrbroke, who hastily unfastened it and read.

"Lord Hurst orders me to return at once," he said to his father.

"Ah," said Sir John. "You see, sir," he exclaimed with a smile, looking at the King, "how important an individual the boy there is becoming.

But," he went on, "you were expecting this summons, my lad, and now as it happens you will be able to act as additional escort to our guest-- that is, if he will permit."

"Permit!" cried the King. "I shall be glad to have our young friend's company--glad indeed." And as he spoke Sir John gazed musingly at the sparkling ring which his guest wore, one which flashed in the light of the candles as Francis made a gesture with his hand.

A few minutes later Ned Carrbroke glanced at his father, and then rose from his chair, making a sign to Denis as he did so.

"Come," he said quietly, as the two lads moved to the door and pa.s.sed out. "It was in my mind before, and now it has happened just as I would have wished. I shall come with you."

"Yes," answered Denis. "I am glad."

"I shall be able to show you much," the other went on. "You have never seen a Court; I shall be able to introduce you to that of our King."

"Well," said Denis hesitatingly, "I have been to Fontainebleau."

"Fontainebleau? Where's that?"

"The Court of the King of France."

"Ah! You have seen King Francis?"

"Yes."

"What is he like?"

"Brave, handsome, n.o.ble!"

"So is my King too. You will have to stop with me in England and serve King Henry."

While Denis accompanied his new-found friend the talk went on in the big wainscotted dining-room, and the King, who was leaning back in his chair, had finished a long story of the chase, when his host half rose.

"If you will excuse me, my lord, for a few minutes," he said, "I have to give an order as to your departure to-morrow?"

Francis made an inclination of a.s.sent.

"When you visit France," he said, "I trust, sir, that I shall be able to make you some return for your kindness to me and to my followers here."

And then a minute later, left alone with his two companions, the King yawned. "Gentlemen," he exclaimed, "do not let me detain you." And Leoni and Saint Simon rose, the doctor hesitating a moment at the door.

"You do not, sir," he began, "see any disadvantage in--"

"In what?" said the King sharply.

"Why, sir, in our taking this English stripling along with us on the morrow?"

"By my sword, no!" said the King. "Why should I?"

"He is keen and clever."

"And what of that?"

"Simply this, sir: he might divine the truth. A word, a look--"

"Leoni, have I not acted my part well till now?"

"Yes, sir."