The
little man's guide bade him mount, and, opening a small door in the
wall, motioned him to ride through it and away.
"My liege, the king," he said, as he watched the spy making all speed
on his way, "thou wilt learn nothing of the flight of Josceline De
Aldithely from thy late prisoner. And may confusion wait on all thy
plans."
Walter Skinner had been gone over night, and the second day of his
flight was well begun when the king, impatient over the slowness of De
Skirlaw and De Kellaw, sent from Clipstone to Newark to have the spy
brought before him. In haste the bailiff went to the room where he had
placed him, and no prisoner was there. No prisoner was anywhere in the
castle or in the town, as the frightened officer discovered after a
diligent search. Only the afflicted horse upon which he had arrived
remained in one of the stables. And with this word the unfortunate
officer hastened on his way to the king. Near the gate, as he went out
of Newark, he met one of the courtiers who bore a strong resemblance to
him who had, in the guise of a scullion, set Walter Skinner at liberty.
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