_ 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 document 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 passed 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, noble!"
"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 assent.
"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."
"Then--"
"With your permission, sir; you are a King, and those who are chosen by Heaven to reign cannot assume the guise of other men."
"But my disguise, Leoni--my disguise!"
"Has been admirable, sir."
"Then trust me for the future," was the reply.
And as the door closed and a puff of air caused the lights on the table to dance, the King leaned back in his chair and just then caught his own reflection in a tall glass at the further end of the chamber.
"Ah," he mused, "Leoni doubts of my address. Let him be quite assured. And this Henry who has ambitions on my land of France! Shortly I shall meet him, and my strength will be greater than his since I shall know who he is, and he--he will be ignorant as to who I am.
"Never in France
Shall England reign!"
he hummed.
"To-morrow I shall meet him, and then that stone--for Leoni must be right--that jewel will be mine, and the last link which binds us to the old invasion will be snapped."
The King rose and took a turn up and down the apartment.
"I must speak again with Leoni," he said. "Where has he gone?" And he lifted a _portiere_ and walked out of the apartment, entering a long corridor where a coloured lamp hung from the ceiling. "Our host is well lodged," he continued musingly, as he passed on, stopping at a door through which a stream of light issued forth.
The King pushed the door, which swung back noiselessly on its hinges, and gazed inside, to see Leoni sitting at a table, studiously intent upon some work--lost in the depths. He called softly:
"Leoni!"
The doctor did not turn his head.
"Leoni!" said the King once more, raising his voice; and the man of learning leaped to his feet and came towards his master.
"My lord!" he ejaculated.
The King stepped into the room, and the door closed behind him.
"Busily engaged, Master Leoni?" he said bluffly.
The doctor bowed.
"In your service, sir," he replied humbly. _