darkness, James knew the answer to that question. 'I luk most like you,' replied James. It took James a few more moments to comprehend all that he had been told, when he did, he reached out into the darkness and embraced Richard and said, 'Father.'
'That sounds so gud, me sone,' replied Richard. 'I wuld 'ave liked to 'ave known you as a lad.'
'Thomas was a gud man, Richard' said James. 'I 'ave two gud fathers.'
'I am glad that you were raised by a gud man,' replied Richard. 'Was 'e gud to your mum?'
'Aye, 'e was a gud 'usband as well. She luved 'im very much. It was a sad dee when he deed.' Then a thought suddenly settled on James. 'They 'ave gone to fetch me mum, Richard.'
'Elizabeth will be 'ere in Stamford again?' exclaimed Richard.
'Aye, praise God for 'is gudness,' said James.
'Aye, boot she is combing because you 'ave been arrested. It may nay be gud for 'er to be 'ere.'
With the seriousness of their situation again pressed upon their minds, the men sat in silence, neither desiring to acknowledge further the prospects that the dawning day would bring.
At the first light of day, John Darby went to the court house as promised to hear the case of the accused thief. He reasoned that it wouldn't take long and that he could then see the prior again about James. When he arrived at the court house, it was obvious to him that James must be in the dungeon because of the extra guards that had been posted. John ordered that the accused thief be brought out of the cell and was struck with surprise when Richard entered the room.
'Richard?' he said with surprise, 'are you the accused thief?'
'Aye, me Lord, and I am so pleased to see you.'
'Is it true then?' John asked, but knew that it couldn't be.
'Nay, me Lord. I am accused by the person who tried to rob you on the ship.'
''ow long 'ave you been in the dungeon?'
'sevrule dees, me Lord.'
'Were you mistreated?'
'Nay.'
'Wuld you recognize your accuser if 'e were still in Stamford?'
'Aye, me Lord, as will the sheriff. The thief is intent on a reward.'
'Is James also in the dungeon,' asked John.
'Aye, and I am greatly concerned' replied Richard.
'Aye, there is cause for concern. The man is accused as an 'eretic and 'eretics most often will burn.'
'Lord Darby, the bleakness of 'is situation is compounded as I 'ave learned that 'e is me sone.'
'Your sone? 'ow can this be?' asked John.
To John's amazement, Richard related to him the story of his marriage to Elizabeth and his subsequent searches for her and of the song that James had been singing. When he finished, John said, 'Indeed, 'e must be your sone.'
'Aye, and I may yet find me Elizabeth,' replied Richard with some excitement.
'Boot, the circumstances may be unpleasant,' observed John.
Richard's excitement was dampened at the prospect that faced James. 'Aye, can anything be dune?' asked Richard.
'When I take me leave from 'ere, I will speak with the prior. Per'aps arrangements can be made that are favorable to James,' replied John. 'Boot, you are free to go.'
'I am grateful, me Lord,' said Richard.
When he left the court house, Richard walked around the corner to the small window opening and called quietly, 'James, James.'
James stood on the stone bed and approached the window. 'Aye?'
'Lord Darby is going to speak with the prior todee on your behalf. Per'aps there is sumething that can yet be dune.'
'I wish 'im God's speed, boot I am ready to face me fate as the Maiden did.'
'Do nay give up 'ope. God may yet deliver you,' replied Richard.
'I pray that it will be so,' said James.
Richard stayed at the window for a couple of hours to keep James' spirits up. Eventually, he left to see his wee lad at the Darby estate.
The hours dragged on for James with no word. He watched as the sliver of sunlight from the window crossed the entire cell until it too disappeared and the cell was again dark. He tried to sleep, but sleep escaped him, he was too restless with concern for what the next day might bring.
In the very early hours of the morning he could hear the sound of hooves on the roadway and he peered out the window. Someone out so early must be on an important errand. As the sound drew closer he realized that there was more to the sound than just the hooves. There was also the unmistakable sound of