"But how,"
inquired he of Grimsby, "has this hard fate befallen us? Have you
learned how De Valence knew that I meant to take up arms for my
country?"
When the soldier was relating this part of the conference, Murray
interrupted him with the same demand.
"On that head I cannot fully satisfy you," replied he; "I could only
gather from the soldiers that a sealed packet had been delivered to Lor
Aymer de Valence late last night at Dumbarton Castle. Soulis was then
there; and he immediately set off to Glasgow, for the followers he had
left in that town. Early this morning he joined De Valence and his
legions on Bothwell Moor. The consequences there you know. But they
do not end at Bothwell. The gallant Wallace-"
At that name, so mentioned, the heart of Helen grew cold.
"What of him?" exclaimed Murray.
"No personal harm yet happened to Sir William Wallace," replied
Grimsby; "but at the same moment in which De Valence gave orders for
his troops to march on Bothwell, he sent others to intercept that
persecuted knight's escape from the Cartlane Craigs."
"That accursed sealed packet," cried Murray, "has been the traitor!
Some villian in Bothwell Castle must have written it.
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