"Long live the King," said the leader of the riders, and all of his companions echoed it. The Messengers could summon up no more than an incoherent murmur. The rider now broke the seal, unrolled the page, and read it: "Know all men by these presents that I, George, by the Grace of God King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, et cetera , do hereby relieve Mr. Charles White, Esq., of the post of Captain of the King’s Messengers, and appoint in his place William, the Earl of Lostwithiel." He lifted his gaze from the document and began to roll it up. "I am the Earl of Lostwithiel," he let them know, almost shyly, "and as Captain of the King’s Messengers I hereby relieve you all of your positions—" sweeping his eyes across the faces of the men on foot "—and bid you stand down. The men you see around you are the new King’s Messengers, and have assumed all of your duties and responsibilities."