第 38 页

"He is. It is a sort of race between us, and it seems that we have won."

"Let us step aside from here," Wulf said. "There are too many gathered

about to stare at the guests as they come and go for us to talk unobserved.

The cathedral yard is close by, and there will be no fear of eaves-droppers

there."

"It is Ulf's story," the armourer said when they reached the shadow of the

cathedral. "It is to him that the matter was committed, and though he was

forced to take me into his confidence, the merit of following up the

matter, if merit there be, is his."

Ulf accordingly related the story of his watching, the discovery he had

made by the river, and how Walter Fitz-Urse had been afterwards seen to

embark and had not returned. Ulred then stated how he had discovered the

ship from which the boat had come, and had seen the Norman go on board, and

how, when he learned that the ship had sailed, he had, after seeing Beorn,

taken passage in another vessel. "We have come up fast," he said, "and the

opinion of the master was that we have gained a full day on any craft that

started that morning. Of course, we know not that the villains have come

hither; they may have returned to France, they may have gone up some of the

other rivers in order to take post on the road the king will follow on his

way south. But at any rate we felt it right that you should know that

Fitz-Urse, with those with whom he has been holding secret communication,

have left London."

"You have done rightly indeed, Ulred, and in the king's name and for myself

I thank you heartily. Of course, we are still without any proof that

Fitz-Urse is conspiring against the king's life. It was unfortunate indeed

that Ulf did not understand the first conversation he heard, but I ought to

have foreseen that it was likely that any talk Fitz-Urse might have with

others would be in Norman. I cannot think now how I could have overlooked

such a probability. Of course, in the years that he has been over here he

has learnt to speak our language, but it would be with Normans he would

deal in the matter of which we suspect him. I will give myself the night to

think over the matter before I decide what steps we had better take. Inside

the bishop's palace, at any rate, the king is safe, and, as you say, it is

not likely that the Normans can be here for a day at least. If their ship

is a French one the master will be ignorant of the dangers of the coast,

and instead of threading his way through the channels of the sands, as your

master did, will have held his course far outside them. I would we knew how

many men are engaged in the matter."

"As to that we have no clue," the armourer said. "There was the man of his

own rank and the other two who met him on the bank, but whether these were

all, or whether there were a score of others on board the ship, I know not.

Certainly none showed themselves on the deck while I was watching them. But

this proves nothing. They would naturally be kept in concealment, for had

there been an unusual number of men on board, inquiries would have been

made as to whom they were and their business."

"I will meet you here at seven to-morrow morning, Ulred, and we shall then

have time to talk the matter over more fully."

CHAPTER XVII.

AN ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION.

When Wulf met the armourer next morning in the cathedral close he was

accompanied by Beorn, who said, laughing, to the latter, "You have beaten

me fairly, friend Ulred, and it is well that I had no wager with you on the

race. But it was not by much, for I rode in here as the bells were chiming

eleven. I was glad to hear from Wulf when I roused him up that he had

learnt all the news from you, for indeed I was sore weary, and was right

pleased to wrap myself in my cloak and go straight to sleep instead of

having to sit up for an hour expounding my story."

"We have resolved in the first place, Ulred, to say nought of this matter

to the king," began Wulf. "He will have enough to occupy all his thoughts

in the affairs of the kingdom, and in the second place his nature is so

open that he will refuse to believe in such villainy unless upon strong

proof, and of actual proof we have none. Beorn's appearance here will

excite no surprise. He will say that having nought in particular to occupy

him he had ridden north to be at the wedding, and finding that he was too

late, would at any rate ride back with the king. With him and me and Osgod

ever on the watch, methinks there will be little fear of a surprise; and it

is by surprise only that they can succeed, for Harold himself is a match

for any four or five ordinary men if he has but time to draw his sword. I

will, however, on some excuse have half a score of Harold's housecarls

placed under my orders, and sleeping or waking the king shall never be a

moment unguarded.

"I should not think it is likely that Fitz-Urse will have more than five or

six men associated with him in such an enterprise. He would not take more

into his confidence than he could help, and six would suffice as well as a

score for a surprise; and that number could travel in disguise without

exciting attention, while twenty would assuredly do so; therefore I feel

sure that we shall not have to deal with more than six, including the two

leaders. Ulf, do you station yourself at the river-bank and mark any

vessels arriving. If the men come hither they will probably do as you did,

leave their ship at Hull and come up by a local trader. They would thus

avoid all questions they might be asked if passing through the country on

foot."

"And what is there for me to do, my lord Wulf?" the armourer said.

"Frankly, I have gone so far in this matter that I would fain see it

through."

"Of course we reckon upon you, Ulred. I have been talking it over with

Beorn, and it seemed to us that the best thing will be for you to ride with

Osgod. You can either make some slight change in your clothes and ride as a

man of mine, or you can ride as Osgod's father, who, having come up here on

matters connected with your business, have obtained permission to ride in

my train with him. I will see that you have that permission."

"I care not how I go so that I can be at hand if there is a blow to be

struck for the king."

"Then in that case, Ulred, it were best you went as my man, for you would

then have the entry of the houses where the king will stop and can aid us

in keeping guard."

"That will do well for me," Ulred replied. "Ulf had best journey back as he

came. He might go by ship after the king has left here."

"No, he shall travel with us. I will see the chamberlain who has charge of

the arrangements of the journey, and will get leave for him to ride in the

waggons with the servants."

During the three days before the king left York Ulf kept a vigilant watch

over the boats that came up the river, but he could see nothing of the men

he was searching for. Wulf had bought a horse for the armourer, and when

they started the latter took his place by Osgod's side, while Ulf was

seated in one of the waggons. The king rode with Bishop Wulfstan, next to

them rode the four thanes who had accompanied them through their journey,

and next to these Wulf and Beorn came on together. Behind came the queen's

litter, with a guard of housecarls, the main body of whom rode just behind,

while the waggons and servants brought up the rear.

"We need not trouble ourselves on the march, Beorn. It is not while the

king rides with so strong a following that the blow will be struck."

"I see not when they can ever get a chance," Beorn said. "The king will

stop always at religious houses, and they will scarcely storm a convent to

get at him."

"They would not attempt to storm it, Beorn, but they might enter it

secretly. But for my own part I think the most dangerous time is when he

mounts or dismounts. There is always a crowd assembled to see him, and two

or three reckless men might rush forward and stab him."

"It would be at the cost of their own lives," Beorn objected.

"It might be, but they would reckon much on the confusion that would

follow, and might think so to get away. They would probably have horses

somewhere close at hand, and might ride for the port where they had left

their ship. It is a great stake they are playing for, and doubtless they

are desperate men; though they would know the danger they might calculate

that some at least would escape to claim the reward. Then again, they

might manage to mingle with the servitors at one of the places where we

stop. This would not be difficult, for many beside the usual establishment

would be hired to aid in the preparations for the reception of the king.

That might be their safest plan, for were he stabbed suddenly at a meal the

assassins might very well escape in the confusion."

The first night they slept at a monastery at the village of Bautre. The

establishment was but a small one, and could entertain only the king and

queen, with the thanes and their personal attendants. The rest of the train

were lodged in the village. Although they had little fear that an attack

would be ventured in so quiet a village where the presence of strangers

would at once attract attention, Wulf, Beorn, and Osgod kept watch in turns

all night in the corridor. The night passed without cause of alarm, and the

next day they rode to Nottingham, where they were lodged in the bishop's

palace. Beorn and Wulf agreed that this was the place where there was the

greatest likelihood of an attack being made on Harold's life. The ship

might have sailed up the river and landed her passengers a few miles from

the town, where, among the number of country people who would flock in to

obtain sight of the king, no one would think of questioning strangers. The

armourer and Ulf were charged to wander about the streets, and to closely

scan every face. Wulf had with some difficulty obtained from Harold the

command of twelve of the soldiers.

"I have my reasons, my lord king, though I would rather not state them. I

would remind you that I have shown that it is not my habit to take alarm

lightly. Your brother Gurth laughed at me when I begged to watch over his

camp with my housecarls, and I saved him from a sudden attack by the Welsh

thereby."

"Then you think that there is danger of an attack upon me, Wulf?"

"I said not so, my lord. I have only begged you to appoint twelve of your

men to obey my orders solely, during your journey to London."

"You shall do as you like, Wulf," the king said at last. "You have proved

yourself brave as well as prudent before now, and are not given to vain

fears, therefore do as you please, but let me know nought about it. I shall

have to receive the visits of all the thanes of the neighbourhood when I

reach Nottingham, and the same in other towns. There will be many persons

coming in with petitions for the redress of grievances, and I would not

have my thoughts disturbed by other matters."

"You shall know nought about it, my lord," Wulf said. "It is like enough

that nothing will come of the matter, and none will be more glad than

myself to find that I am mistaken."

Orders accordingly had been given to the officer of the king's guard to

hand over twelve of his men to Wulf, and the latter had begged him to

choose twelve of his most intelligent men for this service. As soon as they

reached Nottingham Wulf took his small command aside.

"You have been chosen," he said, "for a special duty. I have learned that

there are disaffected men who may possibly make an attempt on the king's

life. You are to say no word of what I tell you to anyone. Meet me over by

that wall half an hour after sunset. Gather quietly one by one so as to

attract no attention. You will be posted round the palace, to keep watch

and ward during the night. As soon as it is daylight half of you will lie

down and sleep till mid-day, and then be in readiness for fresh duty. The

others I will instruct as to where to hold themselves. The king will remain

here two days, and watch must be kept over his safety night and day."

As soon as their apartments were assigned to the different guests Wulf went

outside and examined the windows of the rooms to be occupied by the king.

They were on the first floor, and looked into a garden surrounded by a high

wall.

"At any rate, there is little fear of a successful surprise from this

side," Wulf said to Beorn, who was with him. "It would need a ladder to

scale the wall; this would have to be pulled up for them to descend into

the garden, and then carried across to mount to the window. If we post

Ulred with two men here and let four others lie down near to change guard

every two hours, it will be ample, for on an alarm being given, the Normans

however numerous will see that their attempt must fail. We can therefore

send the other six to bed after supper is over, for we cannot suppose that

they would be so daring as to force their way into the palace at any other

point."

As soon as it was dark Ulred and six of the soldiers were placed in the

garden; the others were directed to hold themselves in readiness to take

their post in the banqueting-hall. Just before the bell sounded for supper

Wulf was told that a boy desired to speak to him at the gate. He hurried

out, and, as he expected, saw Ulf waiting there.

"What news, Ulf,--hast seen Walter Fitz-Urse?"

"I have not seen him, my lord, but I am sure that I heard him speak. There

was a great crowd in the square after the king had entered, and among those

round me I heard one man speak to another in a foreign tongue, and the

voice was assuredly that of Walter Fitz-Urse. It was but two or three words

he said, but having listened to him for well-nigh half an hour that night

by the river, I am certain I was not mistaken in the voice. Close beside me