Come, Dick, for night draws on and we've lost much time."
Now his father tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen, for the
fear in his heart urged him forward. So the end of it was that the whole
party of them--thirteen men in all, counting those that Master de Cressi
brought, rode away across the heath to Blythburgh, though the horses of
Hugh's party being very weary, not so fast as he could have wished.
Just as the sun sank they mounted the slope of the farther hill on the
crest of which stood the manor-house backed by winds.
"The drawbridge is down, thanks be to God!" said Sir Andrew, "which
shows that no attack is feared. I doubt me, son, we shall find Acour
flown."
"That we shall know presently," answered Hugh.
"Now, dismount all and follow me."
They obeyed, though some of them who knew old Sir John's temper seemed
not to like the business. Leaving two of their people with the horses,
they crossed the bridge, thinking to themselves that the great house
seemed strangely silent and deserted. Now they were in the outer court,
on one side of which stood the chapel, and still there was no one to be
seen. Dick tapped Hugh upon the shoulder, pointing to a window of this
chapel that lay in the shadow, through which came a faint glimmering of
light, as though tapers burned upon the altar.
"I think there's a burying yonder," he whispered, "at which all men
gather.
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