Somerset looked embarrassed, and knew not what reply to make. At this juncture, the Earl of Warwick advanced towards him, and said, in a low tone, “While we talk, the admiral escapes. If he gets out of the Tower, an insurrection will assuredly take place, and then I will answer for none of our heads.”
“What is to be done?” replied Somerset, in the same tone. “The king has set him free.”
“Heed not that,” said Warwick. “We shall share with you the responsibility of his arrest. If he escapes, we are all undone.”
While they were thus conferring, Ugo Harrington came up to them.
“Pardon me for interrupting your Highness,” he said, “but each moment is precious. If you desire it, at any hazard I will arrest him.”
“Do it at once, then, good fellow,” cried Warwick. “His highness will thank thee, and reward thee. Here is the warrant—go!”
“Ay, go, and take a guard with thee,” said the protector.
Upon this, Ugo, ordering half a dozen halberdiers to follow him, quitted the room.
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Chapter X
HOW THE ADMIRAL WAS ARRESTED
Meanwhile Sir John Gage and the admiral were making their way as expeditiously as they could towards the court. In order to reach it without interruption, they were obliged to take a circuitous route, to traverse several long passages, and finally to descend a back staircase in the east wing of the palace.
This brought them to the eastern end of the court, which was entirely deserted, and they then perceived that the escort had been dispersed; but the admiral’s steed, with the king’s palfrey, and some half-dozen other horses, were still left in charge of the grooms near the principal entrance of the palace.
Uttering an exclamation of joy, Seymour hurried on in the direction of the horses, closely followed by the constable. But ere they got up, several halberdiers descended from the steps, and placed themselves in the way.
“You cannot pass, my lord,” said the chief of this party, recognizing the admiral. “We have the lord protector’s order to detain you.”
“Out of my way, fellow! thou hadst best!” cried Seymour. “My authority is superior to thine. Show him the king’s signet, Sir John.”
“His majesty’s orders are that the lord admiral be permitted to depart upon the instant,” said the constable. “Behold the royal signet!” he added, displaying the ring.
“Enough, Sir John,” rejoined the halberdier. “You will hold us harmless if we do wrong.”
On this the men drew aside, and the admiral and his companion passed on.
“My horse,” cried Seymour to the groom, who looked alarmed and irresolute.
“Give it him, fellow,” cried the constable. “‘T is by the king’s commands.”
In another instant Seymour had reached his steed, who neighed exultingly as his master sprang upon his back. At the same instant, Sir John Gage vaulted into the saddle of another horse, and they both dashed out of the court, and down the descent leading to the Bloody Tower.
“Confusion! the gate is closed,” cried Seymour, as they approached. “What ho! warder,” he shouted. “Let us through, in the king’s name.”
The warder who had come forth, hearing the injunction repeated by the constable, prepared to comply, when suddenly a cannon was fired from the summit of the Coal-harbour Tower—a structure which, it may be remembered, closely adjoined the palace—while almost simultaneously loud shouts were heard proceeding from the same direction.
“What shall I do, Sir John?” demanded the warder, hesitating.
“Open the gate instantly,” roared the admiral.
At this moment two or three horsemen, accompanied by several yeomen of the guard, were seen at the summit of the acclivity. All these persons were hurrying towards the gate, and vociferating to the warder not to open it.
One of the horsemen rode on more quickly than the others, and as he advanced, Seymour perceived to his astonishment that it was Ugo Harrington. There was something in the esquire’s looks and gestures that showed his purpose to be hostile, but all doubts on the subject were ended as he came up.
Flight was now impossible to Seymour, for the warder, declining to open the gate, had retreated to the tower, from a grated window in which he reconnoitred the different parties. Turning to face his opponents, who were now coming on in considerable numbers, the admiral regarded them sternly.