“Saddle it quick, then,” said Bernard; “and leave it under the chapel-window.”
“Our Lady reward thee!” returned Adam. “I will do ’t.”
He entered on the task thereupon. In about a quarter of an hour, he returned, and informed Bernard, who had waited for him in the passage, that the horse was bestowed according to his directions.
“Then go thou now, and bring me word how it fares with thy mistress,” said Bernard. “Meantime, I will start the priest.”
Without a word more, he broke away, and passed into the chapel. The priest, though still prostrate, looked up as he entered, and Bernard beckoned him to rise.
“Come to the window a space,” he said, “and I will show thee somewhat.”
The priest, trembling with fear, raised himself up, and followed him to the window. It was still open, and, through the aperture, he descried, at a little distance, on a contiguous lawn, his own horse, saddled for service.
“I’faith, thou couldst almost mount him from here,” said Bernard. “In a matter of life and death, a man could leap twenty feet, methinks, any day.”
He raised his eyes as he spoke, and glanced imploringly in Bernard’s face.
“Thou shouldst understand the Word,” said Bernard; “and ’tis now afore thee:--‘And Michal told David, saying, “If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.” So Michal let David down through a window; and he went and fled and escaped.’”
A light flashed across the mind of the priest, and, as Bernard turned towards the door, his despair subsided.
Whatever might be Bernard’s meaning, he passed straight out, and closed the chapel-door behind him. He found Adam Green in the passage.
“How is it with Mistress Evaline?” he asked.
“Then, prithee, go tell her suitor, Don Felix, I would speak with him awhile,” said Bernard. “But, hold! here comes Master Headborough.”
The constable, having regaled himself to his heart’s content, was indeed in view, and shortly came up with them.
“Soh, Master Headborough!” Bernard then cried, “thou hast been refreshing with a witness! Is ’t thus thou requitest my care of thee? But no more words! Let us now look to our charge!”
Here he pushed back the door, and, followed by the constable and Adam, passed into the chapel.
The window was open, and the priest, whom they were about to remove to prison, had escaped.