CHAPTER XXII.
A DASTARDLY STRATAGEM.
The return of Sir Rudolph's party to Evesham was not unmarked by incident, for as they passed along the road, from an ambush in a wood other archers, whose numbers they could not discover, shot hard upon them, and many fell there who had escaped from the square at Worcester.
When the list was called upon the arrival at the castle, it was found that no less than thirty of those who had set out were missing, while many others were grievously wounded.
The noise of the tumult in the square of the convent aroused the whole town of Worcester.

Alarm bells were rung; and the burgesses, hastily arming themselves, poured into the streets.

Directed by the sound, they made their way to the square, and were astonished at finding it entirely deserted, save for some twenty men, lying dead or dying in front of the gate of the convent, pierced with long arrows.

They speedily found that Sir Rudolph and his troop had departed; and further inquiry revealed the fact that the burgher guard at one of the gates had been overpowered and were prisoners in the watchroom.

These could only say that they were suddenly seized, all being asleep save the one absolutely on guard.