His King would be none the worse off for a second guardian who would follow near enough to give help and far enough for discretion.

Gaydon went down his stairs into the street.

The lantern twinkled ahead; Gaydon followed it until it stopped before a great house which had lights burning here and there in the windows.

The smaller man mounted the steps and was admitted; his big companion with the lantern remained outside.
Gaydon, wishing to make sure of his conjectures one way or the other, walked quickly past him and stole a glance sideways at his face.

But the man with the lantern looked at Gaydon at the same moment.