Ulred then stated how he had discovered the
ship from which the boat had come, and had seen the Norman go on board, and
how, when he learned that the ship had sailed, he had, after seeing Beorn,
taken passage in another vessel. "We have come up fast," he said, "and the
opinion of the master was that we have gained a full day on any craft that
started that morning. Of course, we know not that the villains have come
hither; they may have returned to France, they may have gone up some of the
other rivers in order to take post on the road the king will follow on his
way south. But at any rate we felt it right that you should know that
Fitz-Urse, with those with whom he has been holding secret communication,
have left London."
"You have done rightly indeed, Ulred, and in the king's name and for myself
I thank you heartily. Of course, we are still without any proof that
Fitz-Urse is conspiring against the king's life. It was unfortunate indeed
that Ulf did not understand the first conversation he heard, but I ought to
have foreseen that it was likely that any talk Fitz-Urse might have with
others would be in Norman. I cannot think now how I could have overlooked
such a probability. Of course, in the years that he has been over here he
has learnt to speak our language, but it would be with Normans he would
deal in the matter of which we suspect him. I will give myself the night to
think over the matter before I decide what steps we had better take.
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