Part 23 (1/2)

”Yes, he was too dangerous to Edric to be suffered to live. I might have foreseen it; and they have put him out of the way by cowardly a.s.sa.s.sination,” insisted the Etheling.

There was too much reason in his words.

”Besides,” said he, ”if he were well and uninjured, would he not have come here, where he was sure of a welcome?”

”I will go to Dorchester at once,” said Herstan.

”It is useless,” said Edmund; but my brother, having learnt all that the prince could tell him, mounted and rode into the town.

Meanwhile Edmund evidently needed our care; we found he had not eaten all day.

”I have risked my life for my country,” he said, ”and now that I bring tidings which ought to circulate through the land like the wind, and rouse every man to action, I am disbelieved. Nay, it is hinted that I drank too much Danish wine and mead, and misunderstood what I heard. I could brain the man who dared say so to my face. I could--and would. Meanwhile no steps are taken, no levies called out; but I will myself alarm the country. The innocent blood shall not be on my head.”

”Surely they must heed your warning,” said we all together.

”Not they. The fox, Edric, pretended that it was all moons.h.i.+ne.”

”But did you not expose his treachery?” asked I.

”I tried to do so; but he pulled out a bit of some hedge, which he said was a holy thorn from St. Joseph's tree at Glas...o...b..ry, and that he was there on pilgrimage when Alfgar saw him--saw him, mark you--at the Danish camp on the borders of Suss.e.x; and I saw men, I won't mention names, who had more than once taken reward to slay the innocent, look as if they would go down on their knees to this holy thorn, which wasn't a holy thorn at all, but plucked from some hedge hard at hand. Did not Edric mock them in his heart! I should like to strangle him.”

How I thought of those who t.i.thed mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pa.s.sed over justice, mercy, and the love of G.o.d.

So, in unavailing complaints, midnight drew on, and we heard the sound of my brother's horse.

He soon entered the room. We saw at a glance that he had laboured in vain, and spent his strength for nought.

”No one has seen him,” he said.

”Have you asked many people?” we inquired.

”Yes, scores. The sheriff, the bishop, the watchmen, the tradesfolk--no one has seen or heard aught. I will go again tomorrow.”

”Meanwhile, do the people know what pa.s.sed at the banquet last night?”

”No; it has all been kept quiet,” was the reply.

We could do no more, and all retired to rest. I have sat up to say my mattins and finish this diary. It is now nearly the third hour of the morn, and--

Monday Night, 23d Nov. 1006.--

I had written as far as the word ”and,” when I was alarmed by a loud cry from the chamber next my own, which was occupied by the Etheling. I rose, and knocked at the door, but, receiving no answer, opened it and went in.

I saw at once that the prince was delirious; the fever, which I had marked in his eyes and manner, but which he struggled against, had at length overcome his brave spirit.

Just as I entered the room, bearing my torch, he sprang out of bed.

”There is a snake under my pillow.”

I tried to soothe him.