"Speak fair words," cautioned Stanley, with a frown.

"Dorothy!" gasped her lover. "Hasten, I beseech thee. She is at Ashby.
Where is De la Zouch, the villain?"

"On his way home," answered Sir Thomas.

Manners groaned aloud.

"Heaven forfend us, then," he cried. "He is a monster of iniquity. We
must hasten back, an you would rescue Dorothy."

"There is some conspiracy in this," exclaimed Stanley. "Here is De la
Zouch's page lurking behind these horses. Come hither, sirrah, for I
recognise thee well. 'Twere a bold thing of thee to venture on so rash
an errand here."

Eustace was pushed unwillingly forward, and as he stood before the
knight his knees knocked together under the terrible frowns that were
bestowed upon him.

"Nay, it is right," expostulated Manners. "Leave him alone, Sir
Thomas, he will be of service to us yet."

"But where is Dorothy?" asked the impatient baron. "What has become of
her? Why does she not return with thee?"

"De la Zouch waylaid us," answered the esquire, "and we fell into his
trap. I have ridden hard from Ashby since the sun last set. I escaped
his dungeon by the aid of this, his page, to save poor Dorothy. I am