[Illustration: He rode to the edge of the moat and looked down]
Still speaking no word the monarch rode to the great gate, crossed the
bridge, and entered, and once within the outer bailey, looked about
him. He rode into the inner bailey, and, dismounting, began a personal
examination of the castle; and as he proceeded his frown grew blacker
and blacker, for everywhere he saw evidences of premeditated and
deliberate flight. The treasure chests were empty, and everything of
value removed.
At last he spoke. "What hath chanced here I know not," he said. "But
this I know, these traitor walls shall stand no longer. Bid the
artisans in to begin their destruction." Then turning to De Skirlaw he
added: "Go thou to the moat and examine the armor. See, if thou canst,
to what troop it belongeth."
But before De Skirlaw could execute this commission there appeared upon
the scene two men-at-arms from Hubert le Falconer, in search of certain
of their companions, and they were at once brought before the king. To
him they related how, for a certain sum, a certain knight in the
service of the king had hired them to assist him in entering the
castle, through the treachery of one Robert Sadler, and in carrying off
the young lord, Josceline De Aldithely, to the direct custody of the
king.
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