Read Online Swords From the Sea by Harold Lamb - Free Book Online

hostile camp."
    "My lord, we had need of information."
    "So it was said. But you forgot your part of a spy and fought a knight of the Burgundian party in the skiff. The matter ended with your placing the Burgundian adrift, fully armed as he was, a nosegay in his hands and candles lighted at his head. In this guise he was discovered by his friends, who buried the body."
    "'Twas fairly fought between us, my lord, in the boat. He had the worst. It would have been foul shame to throw an honorable foeman into the water."
    The man at the table paused to snuff the candles that stood on either hand and to glance curiously at the youth, his visitor. To draw steel on an adversary in full armor in a small skiff was a thing seldom done, and Thorne had not despoiled the body.
    "Stap my vitals!" he laughed. "You have a queer head on you. Now thank Sts. Matthew and Mark and your patron of that fellowship that it has pleased Edward to stand your friend."
    Thorne flushed with pleasure and strode forward to the table.
    "Grant me but the chance to serve the king's majesty!"
    "Humph! As a spy you are not worth your salt. But the king is minded to send you upon a mission."
    He glanced upward fleetingly and saw only eagerness in the boy's clear eyes.
    "You have learned to handle your sword, but not to handle men. You will want seasoning. The king is pleased to lay command upon you to journey to Orfordnesse and there await the setting out of Sir Hugh's fleet. Do aught that within you lies to aid Sir Hugh in his venture. Your prince hath the matter much at heart.
    "Take a horse from my stables, and here-" Stratford signed to one of his servitors who stood by the buffet-"is a small purse for your needs."
    Thorne, who had not one silver piece to jingle against another, accepted the gift with a bow.
    Stratford hesitated, then rose and came around the table.
    "Hark in your ear, young sir. The Spaniards who hold the sea would be well pleased to spoil this venture of Sir Hugh's. Watch your fellow travelers well upon the road and keep your sword loosened in scabbard. Be silent as to this mission, and hasten not back, but return at leisure with Master Cabot. Greet your father well for me."
    "A good night to you, my lord. And accept the thanks of the Thornes."
    Stratford smiled.
    "Body o' me! 'Tis said the Thornes are more generous with blows than thanks. A good night, young sir."
    He waited until the armiger had left the room, then went to the door and, closing it, shot home the bolt himself. Idly he turned the hourglass in which the sands had run out.
    "Another hour brings other guests. Well, 'tis an easy road to a boy's heart to promise him danger i' the wind. Paul-" he nodded at the ser- vant-"have in D'Alaber and his cozening friend. And," he added under his breath, "may your sainted namesake grant that young Thorne's wit be dull as his sword point is sharp."
    The two men who entered the cabinet of my lord Duke of Stratford were dressed in the height of fashion, and one, who wore a doublet of green silk, who bore in his left hand a high-crowned and plumed hat, bowed with all the grace of an accomplished courtier, his cloak draped over the end of a long Spanish rapier. He had the small features of a woman, utterly devoid of color.
    "Ah, signior," exclaimed Stratford as soon as the door closed upon Paul, "you are behind your time. I have been awaiting your ship this se'nnight."
    "From the secrecy with which I am received," responded the young D'Alaber in excellent English, "it would seem that I am before my time."
    And, turning his back rudely on his host, he walked up to a long Venetian mirror, fingering the ruff at his throat.
    "Is the Fox in London, my lord?" he demanded, turning sharply on Stratford, his sleepy eyes downcast yet missing no shade of expression in the nobleman.
    "Renard has taken coach to Orfordnesse."
    "And why?"
    "Signior," said Stratford slowly, and more respectfully than the younger man of lesser rank had addressed him, "who knows?