Ballard approached the girl, and took her roughly by the wrist. Too
numb to react, she could only watch as he pulled the ring from her
finger, and flung it out of the high, paneless window. No explanation
was given for this action, or for the sudden change in their status.
And when they tried to ask, the Lieutenant only smiled, and said in a
harsh voice:
"Little Mary, Queen of Scots, locked in the Tower, waiting for death."
And he let go a laugh, so void of compassion that it made the blood
run cold. He strode back out onto the landing, then turned again to
face them through the closing door.
"Master `enry has a visitor, and needs no more trouble of you. If you
want to live a little longer, do nothing to call attention to
yourselves. Quiet as mice, my pretties, or bad men will be sent to
keep an eye, and more `an likely both hands, on you
."
He pulled the door to, and left them in darkness.
Twenty-Three
That same evening, after observing the necessary formalities
surrounding the arrival of Earl Arthur, Stephen at last broke away
from the banquet and went in search of his sister.
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