the Earl of Leicester. "The hand that could steal the Prince from out of
the very gardens of his sire without the knowledge of Lady Maud or her
companion, which must evidently have been the case, could more easily and
safely have dispatched him within the gardens had that been the object of
this strange attack. I think, My Lord, that presently we shall hear from
some bold adventurer who holds the little Prince for ransom. God give that
such may be the case, for of all the winsome and affectionate little
fellows I have ever seen, not even excepting mine own dear son, the little
Richard was the most to be beloved. Would that I might get my hands upon
the foul devil who has done this horrid deed."

Beneath the planks, not four feet from where Leicester stood, lay the
object of his search. The clanking armor, the heavy spurred feet, and the
voices above him had awakened the little Prince and, with a startled cry,
he sat upright in the bottom of the skiff. Instantly De Vac's iron band
clapped over the tiny mouth, but not before a single faint wail had reached
the ears of the men above.

"Hark ! What was that, My Lord ?" cried one of the men-at-arms.

In tense silence they listened for a repetition of the sound and then De
Montfort cried out:

"What ho, below there ! Who is it beneath the dock ? Answer, in the name
of the King !"

Richard, recognizing the voice of his favorite uncle, struggled to free
himself, but De Vac's ruthless hand crushed out the weak efforts of the
babe, and all was quiet as the tomb, while those above stood listening for
a repetition of the sound.