Indeed, after the rigorous and exhaustive search that had been already made, there was no reason why any further entrance should be made into Chad.
But although Sir Oliver had heard this mandate with indifference and contempt, it had filled the hearts of the boys with dismay.

In a week's time the vessel would sail that was to carry Brother Emmanuel away to foreign soil, and out of the clutches of his present enemies; and if this guard around the house were to be maintained all that while, what chance had they of smuggling their fugitive away and down to the coast, as they had set their hearts on doing?
But inasmuch as necessity has ever been the mother of invention, and the lads were not only bold and fearless but ready of resource, they had laid their heads together with some good effect, and now the first and one of the most important steps of the little drama had been carried to a successful conclusion.
The next day was a busy and bustling one at Chad.

Upon the morrow its lord and master rode forth to Windsor with his eldest son and the best of his followers.

There was a great burnishing of arms and grooming and feeding of steeds.

Every man was looking up his best riding dress and putting it into spic-and-span order, and the whole place rang with the sound of cheery voices and the clash of steel.
In and out and backwards and forwards throughout the day passed the three boys, watching everything, asking eager questions of all, and expressing keen interest in the whole expedition.
Edred was of course a great figure.