But it seems to me far more likely that
they have gone north to carry out the enterprise."
"Whither, think you, will they be bound, Ulf?"
"I should say to the Humber, my lord. They may on landing proceed to York,
or, if they have really designs against the king's life, may take post
somewhere on the road down from that city."
"By my faith the boy is right," Beorn said. "What say you, master
armourer?"
"I say the same, my lord. The villains have slipped through our fingers,
and we can do nought to stay them. It seems to me that not an hour should
be lost in sending a warning to the Thane of Steyning."
"I will mount myself and ride north," Beorn said.
"And I, my lord, will at once go down to the port and inquire if there be a
ship sailing to-day for the Humber. Scarce a day passes that one or more
do not start for the northern ports. Yes, Ulf, I shall take you with me.
You are charged with this business by the Thane of Steyning, and I am but
aiding you in it. I will go straight away to the city, my lord, and if a
ship be sailing--and after so long a bout of east wind it is like that many
will be doing so--I will be back in an hour with the news. Maybe I can find
a quick sailer, and shall be at one of the ports in the Humber before the
craft that left this morning."
"By the time you return I shall have found out whether Fitz-Urse is at the
bishop's palace, and shall have my horses ready to mount.
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