RED EVE

by H. Rider Haggard

First Published 1911. 

DEDICATION

Ditchingham, May 27, 1911. My dear Jehu:

For five long but not unhappy years, seated or journeying side by side, we have striven as Royal Commissioners to find a means whereby ourcoasts may be protected from "the outrageous flowing surges of thesea" (I quote the jurists of centuries ago), the idle swamps turned tofertility and the barren hills clothed with forest; also, with smallsuccess, how "foreshore" may be best defined!

What will result from all these labours I do not know, nor whether gravegeologists ever read romance save that which the pen of Time inscribesupon the rocks. Still, in memory of our fellowship in them I offer toyou this story, written in their intervals, of Red Eve, the dauntless, and of Murgh, Gateway of the Gods, whose dreadful galley still sailsfrom East to West and from West to East, yes, and evermore shall sail. Your friend and colleague, H. Rider Haggard. To Dr. Jehu, F. G. S. , St. Andrews, N. B. 

RED EVE

MURGH THE DEATH

They knew nothing of it in England or all the Western countries in thosedays before Crecy was fought, when the third Edward sat upon the throne. There was none to tell them of the doom that the East, whence come lightand life, death and the decrees of God, had loosed upon the world. Notone in a multitude in Europe had ever even heard of those vast lands offar Cathay peopled with hundreds of millions of cold-faced yellowmen, lands which had grown very old before our own familiar states andempires were carved out of mountain, of forest, and of savage-hauntedplain. Yet if their eyes had been open so that they could see, wellmight they have trembled. King, prince, priest, merchant, captain, citizen and poor labouring hind, well might they all have trembled whenthe East sent forth her gifts!

Look across the world beyond that curtain of thick darkness. Behold! Avast city of fantastic houses half buried in winter snows and reddenedby the lurid sunset breaking through a saw-toothed canopy of cloud. Everywhere upon the temple squares and open spaces great fires burning astrange fuel--the bodies of thousands of mankind. Pestilence was kingof that city, a pestilence hitherto unknown. Innumerable hordes had diedand were dying, yet innumerable hordes remained. All the patient Eastbore forth those still shapes that had been theirs to love or hate, and, their task done, turned to the banks of the mighty river and watched. 

Down the broad street which ran between the fantastic houses advanced aprocession toward the brown, ice-flecked river. First marched a companyof priests clad in black robes, and carrying on poles lanterns of blackpaper, lighted, although the sun still shone. Behind marched anothercompany of priests clad in white robes, and bearing white lanterns, alsolighted. But at these none looked, nor did they listen to the dirgesthat they sang, for all eyes were fixed upon him who filled the centrespace and upon his two companions. 

The first companion was a lovely woman, jewel-hung, wearing falseflowers in her streaming hair, and beneath her bared breasts a kirtle ofwhite silk. Life and love embodied in radiance and beauty, she dancedin front, looking about her with alluring eyes, and scattering petalsof dead roses from a basket which she bore. Different was the secondcompanion, who stalked behind; so thin, so sexless that none couldsay if the shape were that of man or woman. Dry, streaming locks ofiron-grey, an ashen countenance, deep-set, hollow eyes, a beetling, parchment-covered brow; lean shanks half hidden with a rotting rag, claw-like hands which clutched miserably at the air. Such was its awfulfashion, that of new death in all its terrors. 

Between them, touched of neither, went a man, naked save for a redgirdle and a long red cloak that was fastened round his throat and hungdown from his broad shoulders. There was nothing strange about this man, unless it were perhaps the strength that seemed to flow from him and theglance of his icy eyes. He was just a burly yellow man, whose age nonecould tell, for the hood of the red cloak hid his hair; one who seemedto be far removed from youth, and yet untouched by time. He walked onsteadily, intently, his face immovable, taking no heed. 

Only now and again he turned those long eyes of his upon one of themultitude who watched him pass crouched upon their knees in solemnsilence, always upon one, whether it were man, woman, or child, with aglance meant for that one and no other. And ever the one upon whom itfell rose from the knee, made obeisance, and departed as though filledwith some inspired purpose. 

Down to the quay went the black priests, the white priests, and thered-cloaked man, preceded by rose life, followed by ashen death. Throughthe funeral fires they wended, and the lurid sunset shone upon them all. 

To the pillars of this quay was fastened a strange, high-pooped shipwith crimson sails set upon her masts. The white priests and the blackpriests formed lines upon either side of the broad gangway of thatship and bowed as the red-cloaked man walked over it between them quitealone, for now she with the dead roses and she of the ashen countenancehad fallen back. As the sun sank, standing on the lofty stern, he criedaloud:

"Here the work is done. Now I, the Eating Fire, I the Messenger, get meto the West. Among you for a while I cease to burn; yet remember me, forI shall come again. "

As he spoke the ropes of the ship were loosened, the wind caught hercrimson sails, and she departed into the night, one blood-red spotagainst its blackness. 

The multitude watched until they could see her no longer. Then theyflamed up with mingled joy and rage. They laughed madly. They cursed himwho had departed. 

"We live, we live, we live!" they cried. "Murgh is gone! Murgh is gone!Kill his priests! Make sacrifice of his Shadows. Murgh is gone bearingthe curse of the East into the bosom of the West. Look, it follows him!"and they pointed to a cloud of smoke or vapour, in which terrible shapesseemed to move dimly, that trailed after the departing, red-sailed ship. 

The black priests and the white priests heard. Without struggle, withoutcomplaint, as though they were but taking part in some set ceremony, they kneeled down in lines upon the snow. Naked from the waist up, executioners with great swords appeared. They advanced upon the kneelinglines without haste, without wrath, and, letting fall the heavy swordsupon the patient, outstretched necks, did their grim office till allwere dead. Then they turned to find her of the flowers who had dancedbefore, and her of the tattered weeds who had followed after, purposingto cast them to the funeral flames. But these were gone, though nonehad seen them go. Only out of the gathering darkness from some temple orpagoda-top a voice spoke like a moaning wind. 

"Fools, " wailed the voice, "still with you is Murgh, the second Thingcreated; Murgh, who was made to be man's minister. Murgh the Messengershall reappear from beyond the setting sun. Ye cannot kill, ye cannotspare. Those priests you seemed to slay he had summoned to be hisofficers afar. Fools! Ye do but serve as serves Murgh, Gateway of theGods. Life and death are not in your hands or in his. They are in thehands of the Master of Murgh, Helper of man, of that Lord whom no eyehath seen, but whose behests all who are born obey--yes, even the mightyMurgh, Looser of burdens, whom in your foolishness ye fear. "

So spoke this voice out of the darkness, and that night the sword of thegreat pestilence was lifted from the Eastern land, and there the funeralfires flared no more. 

CHAPTER I

THE TRYSTING-PLACE

On the very day when Murgh the Messenger sailed forth into thatuttermost sea, a young man and a maiden met together at the Blythburghmarshes, near to Dunwich, on the eastern coast of England. In this, themonth of February of the year 1346, hard and bitter frost held Suffolkin its grip. The muddy stream of Blyth, it is true, was frozen only inplaces, since the tide, flowing up from the Southwold harbour, whereit runs into the sea between that ancient town and the hamlet ofWalberswick, had broken up the ice. But all else was set hard and fast, and now toward sunset the cold was bitter. 

Stark and naked stood the tall, dry reeds. The blackbirds and starlingsperched upon the willows seemed swollen into feathery balls, the furstarted on the backs of hares, and a four-horse wain could travel insafety over swamps where at any other time a schoolboy dared not set hisfoot. 

On such an eve, with snow threatening, the great marsh was utterlydesolate, and this was why these two had chosen it for their meetingplace. 

To look on they were a goodly pair--the girl, who was clothed in the redshe always wore, tall, dark, well shaped, with large black eyes and adetermined face, one who would make a very stately woman; the man broadshouldered, with grey eyes that were quick and almost fierce, longlimbed, hard, agile, and healthy, one who had never known sickness, wholooked as though the world were his own to master. He was young, butthree-and-twenty that day, and his simple dress, a tunic of thick woolfastened round him with a leathern belt, to which hung a short sword, showed that his degree was modest. 

The girl, although she seemed his elder, in fact was only in hertwentieth year. Yet from her who had been reared in the hard school ofthat cruel age childhood had long departed, leaving her a ripened womanbefore her time. 

This pair stood looking at each other. 

"Well, Cousin Eve Clavering, " said the man, in his clear voice, "why didyour message bid me meet you in this cold place?"

"Because I had a word to say to you, Cousin Hugh de Cressi, " sheanswered boldly; "and the marsh being so cold and so lonesome I thoughtit suited to my purpose. Does Grey Dick watch yonder?"

"Ay, behind those willows, arrow on string, and God help him on whomDick draws! But what was that word, Eve?"

"One easy to understand, " she replied, looking him in theeyes--"Farewell!"

He shivered as though with the cold, and his face changed. 

"An ill birthday greeting, yet I feared it, " he muttered huskily, "butwhy more now than at any other time?"

"Would you know, Hugh? Well, the story is short, so I'll let it out. Ourgreat-grandmother, the heiress of the de Cheneys, married twice, did shenot, and from the first husband came the de Cressis, and from the secondthe Claverings. But in this way or in that we Claverings got thelands, or most of them, and you de Cressis, the nobler stock, took tomerchandise. Now since those days you have grown rich with yourfishing fleets, your wool mart, and your ferry dues at Walberswick andSouthwold. We, too, are rich in manors and land, counting our acres bythe thousand, but yet poor, lacking your gold, though yonder manor"--andshe pointed to some towers which rose far away above the trees uponthe high land--"has many mouths to feed. Also the sea has robbed us atDunwich, where I was born, taking our great house and sundry streetsthat paid us rent, and your market of Southwold has starved out ours atBlythburgh. "

"Well, what has all this to do with you and me, Eve?"

"Much, Hugh, as you should know who have been bred to trade, " and sheglanced at his merchant's dress. "Between de Cressi and Clavering therehas been rivalry and feud for three long generations. When we werechildren it abated for a while, since your father lent money to mine, and that is why they suffered us to grow up side by side. But then theyquarrelled about the ferry that we had set in pawn, and your fatherasked his gold back again, and, not getting it, took the ferry, which Ihave always held a foolish and strife-breeding deed, since from that dayforward the war was open. Therefore, Hugh, if we meet at all it must bein these frozen reeds or behind the cover of a thicket, like a villageslut and her man. "

"I know that well enough, Eve, who have spoken with you but twice innine months. " And he devoured her beautiful face with hungry eyes. "Butof that word, 'Farewell'----"

"Of that ill word, this, Hugh: I have a new suitor up yonder, a fineFrench suitor, a very great lord indeed, whose wealth, I am told, nonecan number. From his mother he has the Valley of the Waveney up toBungay town--ay, and beyond--and from his father, a whole county inNormandy. Five French knights ride behind his banner, and with them tensquires and I know not how many men-at-arms. There is feasting yonder atthe manor, I can tell you. Ere his train leaves us our winter provenderwill be done, and we'll have to drink small beer till the wine shipscome from France in spring. "

"And what is this lord's name?"

"God's truth, he has several, " she answered. "Sir Edmund Acour inEngland, and in France the high and puissant Count of Noyon, and inItaly, near to the city of Venice--for there, too, he has possessionswhich came to him through his grandmother--the Seigneur of Cattrina. "

"And having so much, does he want you, too, as I have heard, Eve? And ifso, why?"

"So he swears, " she answered slowly; "and as for the reason, why, Isuppose you must seek it in my face, which by ill-fortune has pleasedhis lordship since first he saw it a month ago. At the least he hasasked me in marriage of my father, who jumped at him like a winter pike, and so I'm betrothed. "

"And do you want him, Eve?"

"Ay, I want him as far as the sun is from the moon or the world fromeither. I want him in heaven or beneath the earth, or anywhere away fromme. "

At these words a light shone in Hugh's keen grey eyes. 

"I'm glad of that, Eve, for I've been told much of this finefellow--amongst other things that he is a traitor come here to spy onEngland. But should I be a match for him, man to man, Eve?" he askedafter a little pause. 

She looked him up and down; then answered:

"I think so, though he is no weakling; but not for him and the fiveknights and the ten squires, and my noble father, and my brother, andthe rest. Oh, Hugh, Hugh!" she added bitterly, "cannot you understandthat you are but a merchant's lad, though your blood be as noble as anyin this realm--a merchant's lad, the last of five brothers? Why wereyou not born the first of them if you wished for Eve Clavering, for thenyour red gold might have bought me. "

"Ask that of those who begot me, " said Hugh. "Come now, what's inyour mind? You're not one to be sold like a heifer at a faring and gowhimpering to the altar, and I am not one to see you led there while Istand upon my feet. We are made of a clay too stiff for a French lord'sfingers, Eve, though it is true that they may drag you whither you wouldnot walk. "

"No, " she answered, "I think I shall take some marrying against my wish. Moreover, I am Dunwich born. "

"What of that, Eve?"

"Go ask your godsire and my friend, Sir Andrew Arnold, the old priest. In the library of the Temple there he showed me an ancient roll, acopy of the charter granted by John and other kings of England to thecitizens of Dunwich. "

"What said this writing, Eve?"

"It said, among other things, that no man or maid of Dunwich can beforced to marry against their will, even in the lifetime of theirparents. "

"But will it hold to-day?"

"Ay, I think so. I think that is why the holy Sir Andrew showed it tome, knowing something of our case, for he is my confessor when I can getto him. "

"Then, sweet, you are safe!" exclaimed Hugh, with a sigh of relief. 

"Ay, so safe that to-morrow Father Nicholas, the French chaplain in histrain, has been warned to wed me to my lord Acour--that is, if I'm thereto wed. "

"And if this Acour is here, I'll seek him out to-night and challengehim, Eve, " and Hugh laid hand upon his sword. 

"Doubtless, " she replied sarcastically, "Sir Edmund Acour, Count ofNoyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, will find it honour to accept the challengeof Hugh de Cressi, the merchant's youngest son. Oh, Hugh, Hugh! are yourwits frozen like this winter marsh? Not thus can you save me. "

The young man thought a while, staring at the ground and biting hislips. Then he looked up suddenly and said:

"How much do you love me, Eve?"

With a slow smile, she opened her arms, and next moment they werekissing each other as heartily as ever man and maid have kissed sincethe world began, so heartily, indeed, that when at length she pushed himfrom her, her lovely face was as red as the cloak she wore. 

"You know well that I love you, to my sorrow and undoing, " she said, ina broken voice. "From childhood it has been so between us, and till thegrave takes one or both it will be so, and for my part beyond it, ifthe priests speak true. For, whatever may be your case, I am not one tochange my fancy. When I give, I give all, though it be of little worth. In truth, Hugh, if I could I would marry you to-night, though you arenaught but a merchant's son, or even----" And she paused, wiping hereyes with the back of her slim, strong hand. 

"I thank you, " he answered, trembling with joy. "So it is with me. Foryou and no other woman I live and die; and though I am so humble I'llbe worthy of you yet. If God keeps me in breath you shall not blush foryour man, Eve. Well, I am not great at words, so let us come to deeds. Will you away with me now? I think that Father Arnold would find youlodging for the night and an altar to be wed at, and to-morrow our shipsails for Flanders and for France. "

"Yes, but would your father give us passage in it, Hugh?"

"Why not? It could not deepen the feud between our Houses, which alreadyhas no bottom, and if he refused, we would take one, for the captain ismy friend. And I have some little store set by; it came to me from mymother. "

"You ask much, " she said; "all a woman has, my life, perchance, as well. Yet there it is; I'll go because I'm a fool, Hugh; and, as it chances, you are more to me than aught, and I hate this fine French lord. I tellyou I sicken at his glance and shiver when he touches me. Why, if hecame too near I should murder him and be hanged. I'll go, though Godalone knows the end of it. "

"Our purpose being honest, the end will be good, Eve, though perhapsbefore all is done we may often think it evil. And now let's away, though I wish that you were dressed in another colour. "

"Red Eve they name me, and red is my badge, because it suits my darkface best. Cavil not at my robe, Hugh, for it is the only dowry you willget with Eve Clavering. How shall we go? By the Walberswick ferry? Youhave no horses. "

"Nay, but I have a skiff hidden in the reeds five miles furlongs off. Wemust keep to the heath above Walberswick, for there they might know yourred cloak even after dark, and I would not have you seen till we aresafe with Sir Arnold in the Preceptory. Mother of Heaven! what is that?"

"A peewit, no more, " she answered indifferently. 

"Nay, it is my man Dick, calling like a peewit. That is his sign whentrouble is afoot. Ah, here he comes. "

As he spoke a tall, gaunt man appeared, advancing towards them. Hisgait was a shambling trot that seemed slow, although, in truth, he wascovering the ground with extraordinary swiftness. Moreover, he moved sosilently that even on the frost-held soil his step could not be heard, and so carefully that not a reed stirred as he threaded in and out amongtheir clumps like an otter, his head crouched down and his long bowpointed before him as though it were a spear. Half a minute more, and hewas before them--a very strange man to see. His years were not so many, thirty perhaps, and yet his face looked quite old because of its lackof colouring, its thinness, and the hard lines that marked wherethe muscles ran down to the tight, straight mouth and up to the bigforehead, over which hung hair so light that at a little distance heseemed ashen-grey. Only in this cold, rocky face, set very far apart, were two pale-blue eyes, which just now, when he chose to lift theirlids that generally kept near together, as though he were half asleep, were full of fire and quick cunning. 

Reaching the pair, this strange fellow dropped to his knee and raisedhis cap to Eve, the great lady of the Claverings--Red Eve, as theycalled her through that country-side. Then he spoke, in a low, huskyvoice:

"They're coming, master! You and your mistress must to earth unless youmean to face them in the open, " and the pale eyes glittered as he tappedhis great black bow. 

"Who are coming, Dick? Be plain, man!"

"Sir John Clavering, my lady's father; young John, my lady's brother;the fine French lord who wears a white swan for a crest; three of thenights, his companions; and six--no seven--men-at-arms. Also from theother side of the grieve, Thomas of Kessland, and with him his marsh menand verderers. "

"And what are they coming for?" he asked again. "Have they hounds, andhawk on wrist?"

"Nay, but they have swords and knife on thigh, " and he let his pale eyesfall on Eve. 

"Oh, have done!" she broke in. "They come to take me, and I'll not betaken! They come to kill you, and I'll not see you slain and live. I hadwords with my father this morning about the Frenchman and, I fear, letout the truth. He told me then that ere the Dunwich roses bloomed againshe who loved you would have naught but bones to kiss. Dick, you knowthe fen; where can we hide till nightfall?"

"Follow me, " said the man, "and keep low!"

Plunging into the dense brake of reeds, through which he glided like apolecat, Dick led them over ground whereon, save in times of hard frost, no man could tread, heading toward the river bank. For two hundred pacesor more they went thus, till, quite near to the lip of the stream, theycame to a patch of reeds higher and thicker than the rest, in the centreof which was a little mound hid in a tangle of scrub and rushes. Once, perhaps a hundred or a thousand years before, some old marsh dwellerhad lived upon this mound, or been buried in it. At any rate, on itssouthern side, hidden by reeds and a withered willow, was a cavity ofwhich the mouth could not be seen that might have been a chamber for theliving or the dead. 

Thrusting aside the growths that masked it, Dick bade them enter and liestill. 

"None will find us here, " he said as he lifted up the reeds behind them, "unless they chance to have hounds, which I did not see. Hist! be still;they come!"

CHAPTER II

THE FIGHT BY THE RIVER

For a while Hugh and Eve heard nothing, but Grey Dick's ears weresharper than theirs, quick as these might be. About half a minute later, however, they caught the sound of horses' hoofs ringing on the hardearth, followed by that of voices and the crackle of breaking reeds. 

Two of the speakers appeared and pulled up their horses near by in adry hollow that lay between them and the river bank. Peeping between thereeds that grew about the mouth of the earth-dwelling, Eve saw them. 

"My father and the Frenchman, " she whispered. "Look!" And she slid backa little so that Hugh might see. 

Peering through the stems of the undergrowth, set as it were in a littleframe against the red and ominous sky, the eyes of Hugh de Cressi fellupon Sir Edmund Acour, a gallant, even a splendid-looking knight--thatwas his first impression of him. Broad shouldered, graceful, in ageneither young nor old, clean featured, quick eyed, with a mobile mouthand a little, square-cut beard, soft and languid voiced, black haired, richly dressed in a fur robe, and mounted on a fine black horse, suchwas the man. 

Staring at Acour, and remembering that he, too, loved Red Eve, Hugh grewsuddenly ashamed. How could a mere merchant compare himself with thismagnificent lord, this high-bred, many-titled favourite of courts andof fortune? How could he rival him, he who had never yet travelleda hundred miles from the place where he was born, save once, when hesailed on a trading voyage to Calais? As well might a hooded crow try tomatch a peregrine that swooped to snatch away the dove from beneath itsclaws. Yes, he, Hugh, was the grey crow, Eve was the dove whom he hadcaptured, and yonder shifty-eyed Count was the fleet, fierce peregrinewho soon would tear out his heart and bear the quarry far away. Hughshivered a little as the thought struck him, not with fear for himself, but at the dread of that great and close bereavement. 

The girl at his side felt the shiver, and her mind, quickened bylove and peril, guessed its purport. She said nothing, for words weredangerous; only turning her beautiful face she pressed her lips uponher lover's hand. It was her message to him; thereby, as he knew well, humble as he might be, she acknowledged him her lord forever. I am withyou, said that kiss. Have no fear; in life or in death none shall divideus. He looked at her with grateful eyes, and would have spoken had shenot placed her hand upon his mouth and pointed. 

Acour was speaking in English, which he used with a strong Frenchaccent. 

"Well, we do not find your beautiful runaway, Sir John, " he said, in aclear and cultivated voice; "and although I am not vain, for my partI cannot believe that she has come to such a place as this to meet amerchant's clerk, she who should company with kings. "

"Yet I fear it is so, Sir Edmund, " answered Sir John Clavering, a stout, dark man of middle age. "This girl of mine is very heady, as I givewarning you will find out when she is your wife. For years she hasset her fancy upon Hugh de Cressi; yes, since they were boy and girltogether, as I think, and while he lives I doubt she'll never changeit. "

"While he lives--then why should he continue to live, Sir John?" askedthe Count indifferently. "Surely the world will not miss a chapman'sson!"

"The de Cressis are my kin, although I hate them, Sir Edmund. Also theyare rich and powerful, and have many friends in high places. If thisyoung man died by my command it would start a blood feud of which nonecan tell the end, for, after all, he is nobly born. "

"Then, Sir John, he shall die by mine. No, not at my own hands, sinceI do not fight with traders. But I have those about me who are prettyswordsmen and know how to pick a quarrel. Before a week is out therewill be a funeral in Dunwich. "

"I know nothing of your men, and do not want to hear of their quarrels, past or future, " said Sir John testily. 

"Of course not, " answered the Count. "I pray you, forget my words. Nameof God! what an accursed and ill-omened spot is this. I feel as thoughI were standing by my own grave--it came upon me suddenly. " And heshivered and turned pale. 

Dick lifted his bow, but Hugh knocked the arrow aside ere he could looseit. 

"To those who talk of death, death often draws near, " replied Clavering, crossing himself, "though I find the place well enough, seeing the hourand season. "

"Do you--do you, Sir John? Look at that sky; look at the river beneathwhich has turned to blood. Hark to the howl of the wind in the reeds andthe cry of the birds we cannot see. Ay, and look at our shadows on thesnow. Mine lies flat by a great hole, and yours rising against yonderbank is that of a hooded man with hollow eyes--Death himself as I shouldlimn him! There, it is gone! What a fool am I, or how strong is thatwine of yours! Shall we be going also?"

"Nay, here comes my son with tidings. Well, Jack, have you found yoursister?" he added, addressing a dark and somewhat saturnine young manwho now rode up to them from over the crest of the hollow. 

"No, sir, though we have beat the marsh through and through, so thatscarce an otter could have escaped us. And yet she's here, for Thomas ofKessland caught sight of her red cloak among the reeds, and what's more, Hugh de Cressi is with her, and Grey Dick too, for both were seen. "

"I am glad there's a third, " said Sir John drily, "though God save mefrom his arrows! This Grey Dick, " he added to the Count, "is a wild, homeless half-wit whom they call Hugh de Cressi's shadow, but the finestarcher in Suffolk, with Norfolk thrown in; one who can put a shaftthrough every button on your doublet at fifty paces--ay, and bring downwild geese on the wing twice out of four times, for I have seen him doit with that black bow of his. "

"Indeed? Then I should like to see him shoot--at somebody else, "answered Acour, for in those days such skill was of interest to allsoldiers. "Kill Hugh de Cressi if you will, friend, but spare Grey Dick;he might be useful. "

"Ay, Sir Edmund, " broke in the young man furiously, "I'll kill him if Ican catch him, the dog who dares to bring scandal on my sister's name. Let the Saints but give me five minutes face to face with him alone, with none to help either of us, and I'll beat him to a pulp, and hangwhat's left of him upon the nearest tree to be a warning to all suchpuppies. "

"I note the challenge, " said Sir Edmund, "and should the chance come myway will keep the lists for you with pleasure, since whatever this Hughmay be I doubt that from his blood he'll prove no coward. But, youngsir, you must catch your puppy ere you hang him, and if he is in thismarsh he must have gone to ground. "

"I think so, too, Sir Edmund; but, if so, we'll soon start the badger. Look yonder. " And he pointed to smoke rising at several spots half amile or more away. 

"What have you done, son?" asked Sir John anxiously. 

"Fired the reeds, " he said with a savage laugh, "and set men to watchthat the game does not break back. Oh, have no fear, father! Red Evewill take no harm. The girl ever loved fire. Moreover, if she is thereshe will run to the water before it, and be caught. "

"Fool, " thundered Sir John, "do you know your sister so little? As likeas not she'll stay and burn, and then I'll lose my girl, who, when allis said, is worth ten of you! Well, what is done cannot be undone, butif death comes of this mad trick it is on your head, not mine! To thebank, and watch with me, Sir Edmund, for we can do no more. "

Ten minutes later, and the fugitives in the mound, peeping out fromtheir hole, saw clouds of smoke floating above them. 

"You should have let me shoot, Master Hugh, " said Grey Dick, in hishard, dry whisper. "I'd have had these three, at least, and they'd havebeen good company on the road to hell, which now we must walk alone. "

"Nay, " answered Hugh sternly, "I'll murder none, though they striveto murder us, and these least of all, " and he glanced at Eve, who satstaring out of the mouth of the hole, her chin resting on her hand. "Youhad best give in, sweetheart, " he said hoarsely. "Fire is worse thanfoes, and it draws near. "

"I fear it less, " she answered. "Moreover, marriage is worse thaneither--sometimes. "

Hugh took counsel with Grey Dick. 

"This place will burn like tinder, " he said, pointing to the dry reedswhich grew thickly all about them, and to the masses of brushwood andother rubbish that had drifted against the side of the little moundin times of flood. "If the fire reaches us we must perish of flame, orsmoke, or both. "

"Ay, " answered Dick, "like old witch Sarah when they burned her inher house. She screeched a lot, though some say it was her cat thatscreeched and she died mum. "

"If we could get into the water now, Dick?"

He shook his ash-hued head. 

"The pools are frozen. Moreover, as well die of heat as cold; I love notice-water. "

"What counsel, then, Dick?"

"You'll not take the best, master--to loose my bow upon them. That finefellow did well to be afraid, for had you not knocked up my hand there'dbe an arrow sticking in his throat by now. He was right, Death walkednear to him. "

"It must not be, Dick, unless they strike first. What else?"

"Perchance, when the smoke begins to trouble them, which it must soon, they'll move. Then we will run for the river; 'tis but fifty yards. TheLady Eve can swim like a duck, and so can you. The tide has turned, andwill bear you to the point, and I'll hold the bank against any who tryto follow, and take my chance. What say you of that plan, lady?"

"That it is good as another, or as bad, " she answered indifferently. "Let's bide where we are and do what we must when we must. Nay, waste nomore breath, Hugh. I'll not yield and go home like a naughty child to bemarried. It was you who snatched away Grey Dick's shaft, not I; and nowI'll save myself. "

"Red Eve!--that's Red Eve!" muttered the henchman, with a dry chuckle ofadmiration. "The dead trouble neither man nor woman. Ah, she knows, sheknows!"

After this there was silence for a while, save for the roar of the firethat ever drew more near. 

Eve held her cloak pressed against her mouth to filter the smoke, whichgrew thick. 

"It is time to move, " said Hugh, coughing as he spoke. "By Heaven'sgrace, we are too late! Look!"

As he spoke, suddenly in the broad belt of reeds which lay between themand the river bank fire appeared in several places, caused doubtlessby the flaming flakes which the strong wind had carried from behindthe mound. Moreover, these new fires, burning up briskly and joiningthemselves together, began to advance toward the three in the hole. 

"The wind has turned, " said Dick. "Now it is fire, or water if you canget there. How do you choose to die?" and as he spoke he unstrung hisbow and slipped it into its leathern case. 

"Neither one way nor the other, " answered Eve. "Some may die to-night, but we shall not. "

Hugh leapt up and took command. 

"Cover your faces to the eyes, and run for it, " he said. "I'll go first, then you, Eve, and Dick behind. Make for the point and leap--the wateris deep there. "

They sprang to their feet and forward into the reeds. When they werealmost at the edge of the fire a shout told them that they had beenseen. Eve, the swift of foot, outpaced Hugh, and was the first to leapinto that circle of tall flames. She was through it! They were allthrough it, scorched but unharmed. Thirty paces away was the littlepoint of land where nothing grew, for the spring tides washed it, thatjutted out into the waters of the Blythe, and, perhaps a hundredto their right, the Claverings poured down on them, foot and horsetogether. 

Hugh caught his foot in a willow root and fell. Eve and Grey Dick spedonward unknowing. They reached the point above the water, turned, andsaw. Dick slipped his bow from its case, strung it, and set an arrow onthe string. Hugh had gained his feet, but a man who had come up sprang, and cast his arms about him. Hugh threw him to the ground, for he wasvery strong, and shook himself free. Then he drew the short and heavysword that he wore, and, shouting out, "Make way!" to those who stoodbetween him and the little promontory, started to run again. 

These opened to the right and left to let him pass, for they feared thelook in his eyes and the steel in his hand. Only young John Clavering, who had leapt from his horse, would not budge. As Hugh tried to pushpast him, he struck him in the face, calling out:

"We have caught the de Cressi thief! Take him and hang him!"

At the insult of the blow and words, Hugh stopped dead and turned quitewhite, whereupon the men, thinking that he was afraid, closed in uponhim. Then in the silence the harsh, croaking voice of Grey Dick washeard saying:

"Sir John of Clavering, bid your people let my master go, or I will sendan arrow through your heart!" and he lifted the long bow and drew it. 

Sir John muttered something, thinking that this was a poor way to die, and again the men fell back, except one French knight, who, perhaps, didnot catch or understand his words. 

This man stretched out his hand to seize Hugh, but before ever it fellupon his shoulder the bow twanged and Acour's retainer was seen whirlinground and round, cursing with pain. In the palm of his hand was an arrowthat had sunk through it to the feathers. 

"You are right; that knave shoots well, " said the Count to Sir John, whomade no answer. 

Now again all fell back, so that Hugh might have run for it if he would. But his blood was up, and he did not stir. 

"John Clavering, " he said, addressing the young man, "just now, whenI lay hid in yonder hole, I heard you say that if you had five minuteswith me alone you'd beat me to a pulp and hang what was left of me onthe nearest tree. Well, here I stand, and there's a tree. Having firsttried to burn me and your sister, you have struck me in the face. Willyou make good your words, or shall I strike _you_ in the face and go myway? Nay, keep your dogs off me! Grey Dick yonder has more arrows. "

Now a tumult rose, some saying one thing and some another, but allkeeping an eye upon Grey Dick and his bent bow. At last Sir Edmund Acourrode forward, and in his polished, stately way said to John:

"Young sir, this merchant is in the right, and whatever his trade maybe, his blood is as good as your own. After your brave words, either youshould fight him or take back the blow you gave. "

Then he leaned down and whispered into John's ear:

"Your sword is longer than his. Make an end of him and of all histrouble, lest men should laugh at you as an empty boaster. "

Now John, who was brave and needed but little urging, turned to hisfather and said:

"Have I your leave to whip this fellow, sir?"

"You should have asked that before you struck him in the face, " repliedthe knight. "You are a man grown. Do as best pleases you. Only if youtake the blow, begone from Blythburgh. "

Then Eve, who all this time had been listening, called out from whereshe stood above the river. 

"Brother John, if you fight your cousin Hugh, who is my affiancedhusband, and fall, on your own head be it, for know, your blood shallnot stand between him and me, since it was you who struck him, and nothe you. Be warned, John, and let him go, lest he should send you fartherthan you wish to travel. And to you, Hugh, I say, though it is much toask, if he throws down his sword, forget that unknightly blow and comethither. "

"You hear, " said Hugh shortly to John. "Now, because she is your sister, if it's your will I'll begone in peace. "

"Ay, " answered John, setting his thin lips, "because you are a coward, woman-thief, and seek to live that you may bring shame upon our House. Well, that will pass when you die presently!"

"John, John, boast not, " cried Eve. "Who has shown you where you willsleep to-night?"

"Whether I shall live or die, God knows alone, " said Hugh solemnly. "Butwhat I seek to know is, should it chance to be your lot to die, whetheryour people or this Frenchman will set on me, or raise a blood-feudagainst me. Tell me now, Sir John Clavering. "

"If you kill my son in combat _à outrance_, he being the challenger, "answered the knight, "none shall lift hand against you for that deedif I can hold them back. But know that I have other cause of quarrelagainst you"--and he pointed to his daughter--"and that if you meddlemore with her, who is not for you, certainly you shall die. "

"And, young sir, " broke in Sir Edmund, "I pray you to understand thatthis Lady Eve to-morrow becomes my wife with the will of her father andher kin; and that if you try to stand between us, although I may notfight you, seeing what I am and what you are, I'll kill you like a ratwhen and where I get the chance! Yes, " he added, in a savage snarl, "Ipledge my knightly honour that I will kill you like a rat, if I mustfollow you across the world to do so!"

"You will not have need to travel far if I have my will, " answered theyoung man sternly, "since Red Eve is mine, not yours, and, living ordead, mine she will remain. As for your fine knightly honour, Sir EdmundAcour, Count de Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, what has a traitor to hisKing to do with honour, one who is here as a spy of Philip of France, asthe poor merchant's lad knows well? Oh, take you hand from your sword, of which you say I am not worthy, and, since you say also that I have somany enemies, let me begin with a squire of my own degree. "

Now at these bold words arose a clamour of voices speaking in French andEnglish. 

"What say you to this, Sir Edmund?" shouted Sir John Clavering abovethem all. "You are a great lord and a wealthy, beloved by me also as theaffianced of my daughter, but I am a loyal Englishman who have no truckwith traitors to my King. "

"What say I?" asked Sir Edmund calmly. "I say that if this fellow canfight as well as he can lie, your son has but a poor chance with him. As you know well, I came hither from France to visit my estates, not tolearn what strength his Grace of England, my liege lord, gathers for thenew war with Philip. "

"Enough, " said Sir John; "though this is the first I have heard of sucha war, for it would seem that you know more of King Edward's mind thanI do. The light begins to fail, there is no time for talk. Stand clear, all men, and let these two settle it. "

"Ay, " croaked Grey Dick, "stand clear, all men, while my master cutsthe throat of his cousin Clavering, since he who stands not clear shallpresently lie straight!" and he tapped his terrible bow with his righthand, then instantly seized the string again. 

The two were face to face. Round them on horse and on foot, at adistance perhaps of twenty paces, were gathered the Clavering men andthe French Count's troop; for now all had come up from the far parts ofthe marsh. Only toward the river side the ring was open, whether becausethose who made it feared Grey Dick's arrows, or in order that he and RedEve might see everything that chanced. 

The pair were well matched, for though Hugh was the taller, John, hissenior by a year, was thicker set and better trained in arms. But thesword of John was longer by a hand's breadth than that Hugh carried asa merchant, which was heavy, of such a make as the ancient Romans used, and sharpened on either edge. Neither of them wore armour, since Hughhad no right to do so, and John had not come out to fight. 

They stood still for a moment in the midst of a breathless silence, thered light of the stormy sunset striking across them both. Everything wasred, the smoke-clouds rising from the sullen, burning marsh, into whichthe fire was still eating far away; the waters of the Blythe brimfulwith the tide that had just turned toward the sea, the snow and iceitself. Even the triangle of wild swans brought by the hard weather fromthe northern lands looked red as they pursued their heavy and majesticflight toward the south, heedless of man and his affairs beneath. 

Not long did these remain heedless, however, since, either to show hisskill or for some other purpose of his own, Grey Dick lifted his bow andloosed an arrow, almost, it seemed, at hazard. Yet that arrow piercedthe leader of the flock, so that down it came in wide circles, and ina last struggle hovered for a moment over the group of men, then fellamong them with a thud, the blood from its pierced breast bespatteringSir Edmund Acour and John Clavering's black hair. 

"An ill omen for those two, and especially for him who wears a whiteswan for a crest, " said a voice. But at the moment none took muchnotice, except Grey Dick, who chuckled at the success of his shot, sinceall were intent on greater matters--namely, which of those two young menshould die. 

Sir John, the father, rode forward and addressed them. 

"To the death without mercy to the fallen, " he said grimly. 

They bent their heads in answer. 

"Now!" he cried, and reined back his horse. 

"The first home thrust wins, " whispered Acour to him, as he wiped theblood of the swan off his sleeve. "Thank God, your son's sword is thelonger!"

Perhaps the pair heard this whisper, or, perhaps, being without mail, they knew that it was so. At least for a while they circled round andround each other, but out of reach. 

Then at length John Clavering rushed in and thrust. Hugh sprang backbefore his point. Again he rushed and thrust and again Hugh sprangback. A third time and Hugh fairly ran, whereon a shout went up from theClaverings. 

"The chapman's afraid!" cried one. "Give him a yard measure, " shoutedanother; "he cannot handle steel!"

Eve turned her face, and her very eyes were sick with doubt. 

"Is it true?" she gasped. 

"Ay, " answered Dick the Archer, "it's true that he draws him to theriver bank! Those who wait will learn why. Oh, the swan! He sees not theswan!"

As he spoke, Hugh, in his retreat before another of John Clavering'srushes, struck his foot against the great dead bird, and staggered. Johnleapt upon him, and he went down. 

"Is he pierced?" muttered Eve. 

"Nay, missed, " answered Dick, "by half an inch. Ah, I thought so!"

As the words left his lips Clavering fell sprawling on his back, forHugh had caught his leg with his left arm and thrown him, so that theylay both together on the ground. 

There they closed, rolling over each other, but too close to stab. 

"Now good-night, John, " said Dick, with his hoarse chuckle. "Throat him, master--throat him!"

The flurry in the snow was at an end. John lay on his back, de Cressiknelt on him and lifted his short sword. 

"Do you yield?" men heard him say. 

"Nay, " answered Clavering. Then suddenly Hugh rose and suffered hisadversary to do likewise. 

"I'll not stick you like a hog!" he said, and some cried, "Well done!"for the act seemed noble. Only Acour muttered, "Fool!"

Next instant they were at it again, but this time it was Hugh whoattacked and John who gave back right to the river's edge, for skill andcourage seemed to fail him at once. 

"Turn your head, lady, " said Dick, "for now one must die. " But Eve couldnot. 

The swords flashed for the last time in the red light, then that of deCressi vanished. Clavering threw his arms wide, and fell backward. Asplash as of a great stone thrown into water, and all was done. 

Hugh stood a moment on the river's bank, staring at the stream beneath;then he turned and began to walk slowly toward the dead swan. 

Ere ever he reached it Sir John Clavering fell from his horse in aswoon, and a shout of rage went up from all his people. 

"Kill him!" they yelled, and leapt forward. 

Now Hugh understood, and ran for the point of land. One man, aFrenchman, got in front of him. He cut him down, and sped on. 

"What now?" said Eve, as he joined them. 

He did not answer, only pointed first to the Clavering folk and next tothe water, showing that she must choose between the two. 

"Swim for it!" growled Grey Dick. "I'll hold them back a while and thenjoin you, " and as he spoke his bow twanged. 

For an instant Eve paused, then threw off her scarlet cloak. 

"Remember, I slew your brother!" said Hugh hoarsely. 

"I remember that he would have slain you, " she answered; and leaptstraight from the point into the icy flood, beneath which her head sank. 

When it rose again there was another head beside it, that of dead John, who appeared for one moment, to be seen no more for ever, since eremorning the ocean had him. 

Now Hugh leapt after her, and presently the pair of them were swimmingside by side to the river's further shore. Then, as now, it was but anarrow stream. Yet they did not reach it easily, for, cumbered as theywere with clothes, and numbed by the ice-cold water, the fierce tidecaught them and carried them beyond the bend. There they were lost inthe gathering darkness, so that most of those who watched believed thatthey had sunk and drowned. But it was not so, for after a long strugglethey came safe to shore near to a clump of willows, and clambered overthe frozen mud to the heath beyond. 

"First fire, then water, " said Hugh, in a mazed voice. 

"You have missed out love and death, " answered the girl--"a full feastfor a day that is not done. But whither now?"

"To take sanctuary at the Preceptory and raise my kin. Forward, Eve, ereyou freeze. "

"I think there is that in me which will not freeze, " she answered; andbroke into a run. 

Now night closed in, and the snow which had been threatening all daybegan to fall, making their path over the heath difficult. 

"We need Grey Dick to guide us; but alack, I fear he is dead!" mutteredHugh. 

"I think others will be dead, not Dick, " she answered. 

Just then they heard a footstep behind them. 

Hugh wheeled round and drew his sword, but almost before it had left thescabbard a long figure glided out of the snow, and said:

"More to the left, master, more to the left, unless you would make yourpeace on Blythburgh bridge, where some would be glad to meet you. "

"How went it?" asked Hugh shortly. 

"Not well. I shot thrice and slew three men, two of the French knights, and Thomas of Kessland, against whom I had a score that now is settled. But the fourth time I missed. "

"Who?" asked Eve between her teeth as she ran beside him. 

"The Frenchman who means to marry you. When the others fell back he cameat me on his horse as I was setting a fresh arrow, thinking to get me. Ihad to shoot quick, and aimed low for his heart, because in that lightI could not make certain of his face. He saw, and jerked up the horseshead, so that the shaft took it in the throat and killed the beastwithout hurting its rider. He was off in an instant and at me, withothers, before I could draw again. So I thought it time to go, which Idid, backward, as he thrust. Perhaps he thinks he killed me, as I meanthe should, only when he looks at his sword he'll find it clean. That'sall. "

And again Grey Dick chuckled. 

CHAPTER III

FATHER ANDREW

None were abroad in the streets of Dunwich on that bitter winter nightwhen these three trudged wearily down Middlegate Street through thedriving snow to the door of the grey Preceptory of the Knights Templar. In a window above the porch a light burned dimly, the only one to beseen in any of the houses round about, for by now all men were abed. 

"'Tis Father Arnold's room, " said Eve. "He sits there at his books. I'llknock and call him, but do you two go lay hold of the ring of the churchdoor, " and she nodded toward a grey pile that stood near by. "Then nonecan touch you, and how know we who may be in this house?"

"I'll go no step further, " answered Hugh sullenly. "All this Templeground is sanctuary, or at least we will risk it. " And, seizing theknocker, he hammered at the door. 

The light in the window vanished, and presently they heard a soundof creaking bolts. Then the door opened, revealing a tall man, white-bearded, ancient, and clad in a frayed, furred robe worn over apriest's cassock, who held a lantern in his hand. 

"Who knocks?" he asked. "Does some soul pass that you disturb me aftercurfew?"

"Ay, Father Andrew, " answered Hugh, "souls have passed, and souls arenear to passing. Let us in, and we will tell you all. "

Without waiting for an answer he entered with the others, pushed to themassive door and bolted it again. 

"What's this? A woman?" said the old priest. "Eve of Clavering, by theSaints!"

"Yes, " she answered calmly, though her teeth chattered; "Eve ofClavering, Eve the Red, this time with the blood of men, soaked with thewaters of the Blythe, frozen with the snows of Dunwich Heath, whereshe has lain hid for hours with a furze bush for shelter. Eve who seeksshriving, a dry rag for her back, a morsel for her lips, and fire towarm her, which in the Name of Christ and of charity she prays you willnot refuse to her. "

So she spoke, and laughed recklessly. 

Almost before she had finished her wild words the old man, who lookedwhat he was, a knight arrayed in priestly robes, had run to a door atthe end of the hall and was calling through it, "Mother Agnes! MotherAgnes!"

"Be not so hasty, Sir Andrew, " answered a shrill voice. "A posset musthave time to boil. It is meet now that you wear a tonsure that you whoare no longer a centurion should forget these 'Come, and he cometh, 'ways. When the water's hot----"

The rest of that speech was lost, for Father Arnold, muttering some wordbelonging to his "centurion" days, dived into the kitchen, to reappearpresently dragging a little withered old woman after him who was dressedin a robe of conventual make. 

"Peace, Mother Agnes, peace!" he said. "Take this lady, dry her, arrayher in your best gown, give her food, warm her, and bring her back tome. Short? What care I if the robe be short? Obey, or it will not become, and he cometh, but go and she goeth, and then who will shelter onewho talks so much?"

He thrust the pair of them through the kitchen door and, returning, ledHugh and Grey Dick up a broad oak stair to what had been the guest-hallof the Preceptory on its first floor. 

It was a very great chamber where, before their Order was dispersed, allthe Knights Templar had been wont to dine with those who visited them attimes of festival. Tattered banners still hung among the cobwebs of theancient roof, the shields of past masters with stately blazonings werecarved in stone upon the walls. But of all this departed splendour butlittle could be seen, since the place was lit only by a single lamp ofwhale's oil and a fire that burned upon the wide stone hearth, a greatfire, since Father Arnold, who had spent many years of his life in theEast, loved warmth. 

"Now, Hugh de Cressi, " he said, "what have you done?"

"Slain my cousin, John of Clavering, Father, and perhaps another man. "

"In fair fight, very fair fight, " croaked Grey Dick. 

"Who doubts it? Can a de Cressi be a murderer?" asked the priest. "Andyou, Richard the Archer, what have you done?"

"Shot a good horse and three bad men dead with arrows--at least theyshould be dead--and another through the hand, standing one againsttwenty. "

"A gallant--I mean--an evil deed, " broke in the old warrior priest, "though once it happened to me in a place called Damascus--but you bothare wet, also. Come into my chamber; I can furnish you with garments ofa sort. And, Richard, set that black bow of yours near the fire, but nottoo fire. As you should know well, a damp string is ill to draw with. Nay, fear not to leave it; this is sanctuary, and to make sure I willlock the doors. "

Half an hour was gone by, and a very strange company had gathered roundthe big fire in the guest-chamber of the Temple, eating with appetite ofsuch food as its scanty larder could provide for them. First there wasRed Eve in a woollen garment, the Sunday wear of Mother Agnes for twentyyears past and more, which reached but little below her knees, and wasshaped like a sack. On her feet were no shoes, and for sole adornmenther curling black hair fell about her shoulders, for so she had arrangedit because the gown would not meet across her bosom. Yet, odd as itmight be, in this costume Eve looked wonderfully beautiful, perhapsbecause it was so scant and the leathern strap about her waist caused itto cling close to her shapely form. 

By her stood Hugh, wearing a splendid suit of chain armour. It had beenSir Andrew Arnold's in his warlike years, and now he lent it to hisgodson Hugh because, as he said, he had nothing else. Also, it mayhave crossed the minds of both of them that such mail as this whichthe Saracens had forged, if somewhat out of fashion, could still turnswordcuts. 

Then there was Grey Dick, whose garments seemed to consist of a sackwith holes in it tied round him with a rope, his quiver of arrows slungover it for ornament. He sat by the fire on a stool, oiling his blackbow with a rind of the fat bacon that he had been eating. 

All the tale had been told, and Father Arnold looked very grave indeed. 

"I have known strange and dreadful stories in my time, " he said, "butnever, I think, one stranger or more dreadful. What would you do now, godson?"

"Take sanctuary for myself and Grey Dick because of the slaying of JohnClavering and others, and afterward be married by you to Eve. "

"Be married to the sister with the brother's blood upon your handswithout absolution from the Church or pardon from the King; and you buta merchant's younger son and she to-night one of the greatest heiressesin East Anglia! Why, how may that be?"

"I blame him not, " broke in Eve. "John, whom I never loved, strove tosmoke us out like rats because he was in the pay of the Norman, my Lordof Acour. John struck Hugh in the face with his hand and slandered himwith his tongue. John was given his life once, and afterwards slainin fair fight. Oh, I say, I blame him not, nor shall John's blood risebetween him and me!"

"Yet the world will blame him, and you, too, Eve; yes, even those wholove you both. A while must go by, say a year. At least I'll not marryyou at once, and cannot, if I would, with both your fathers living andunadvised, and the sheriff waiting at the gate. Tell me now, do any knowthat you have entered here?"

"Nay, " said Dick, looking up from his bow. "The hunt came after us, butI hid these two in a bush and led it away past Hinton to the Ipswichroad, keeping but just ahead in the snow and talking in three voices. Then I gave them the slip and returned. They'll not guess that we havecome to Dunwich for a while. "

"And when they do even the boldest will not enter this holy sanctuarywhile the Church has terrors for men's souls. Yet, here you must notstay for long, lest in this way or in that your lives pay the price ofit, or a bloody feud break out between the Claverings of Blythburgh andthe de Cressis of Dunwich. Daughter Eve, get you to bed with old Agnes. You are so weary that you will not mind her snores. To-morrow ere thedawn I'll talk with you, and, meanwhile, I have words for Hugh. Nay, have no fear, the windows are all barred, and Archer Dick shall watchthe door. "

Eve went, unwillingly enough, although she could scarcely walk, flashinga good-night to her lover with her fine eyes. Presently Grey Dick alsowent to sleep, like a dog with one eye open, in the little ante-chamber, near to the great door. 

"Now, Hugh, " said Father Arnold, when they were left alone, "your caseis desperate, for if you stay here certainly these Claverings will haveyour blood. Yet, if you can be got away safely, there is still a shaftthat you may shoot more deadly than any that ever left Grey Dick'squiver. But yesterday I told you for your comfort--when we spoke of hiswooing of Red Eve--that this Norman, for such he is, although his motherwas English and he was English born, is a traitor to King Edward, whomhe pretends to serve. "

"Ay, and I said as much to him this afternoon when he prated to me ofhis knightly honour, and, though I had no time to take note of faces, Ithought he liked it little who answered hotly that I was a liar. "

"I am sorry, Hugh; it may put him on his guard, or perhaps he'll pay noheed. At least the words are said, and there's an end. Now hearken. Itold neither you nor any one all the blackness of his treachery. Haveyou guessed what this Acour is here to do?"

"Spy out the King's power in these parts, I suppose. "

"More than that"--and he dropped his voice to a whisper--"spy out a safelanding-place for fifty thousand Normans upon our Suffolk coast. Theyare to sail hither this coming summer and set the crown of Englandupon their Duke John, who will hold it as vassal to his sire, Philip ofFrance. "

"God's name! Is that true?"

"Ay, though in such a devil's business that Name is best left out. Lookyou, lad, I had warning from overseas, where, although I am now nothingbut a poor old priest of a broken Order, I still have friends in highplaces. Therefore I watched and found that messengers were passingbetween Acour and France. One of these messengers, a priest, came a weekago to Dunwich, and spent the night in a tavern waiting for his ship tosail in the morning. The good wife who keeps that tavern--ask not hername--would go far to serve me. That night this priest slept sound, and while he slept a letter was cut from the lining of his cassock, andanother without writing sewn there in place of it, so that he'll neverknow the difference till he reaches John of Normandy, and then not wherehe lost it. Stay, you shall see, " and he went to the wall and from somesecret place behind the hangings produced a writing, which he handed toHugh, who looked at it, then gave it back to him, saying:

"Read it to me, Father, English I can spell out, but this French puzzlesmy eyes. "

So he read, Hugh listening eagerly to every word:

My Lord Duke:

This by a faithful hand that you know to tell you all goes well withyour Grace's business, and with that of your royal father. Whilepretending to hunt or hawk I have found three places along this seaboardat any one of which the army can land next summer with little resistanceto fear, for though the land is rich in cattle and corn, the people arefew. 

These places of which I have made survey have deep water up to thebeach. I will tell you of them more particularly when I return. Meanwhile I linger here for sundry reasons, which you know, hoping todraw those of whom you speak to me to your cause, which, God aiding me, I shall do, since he of England has wronged one of them and slighted theothers, so that they are bitter against him, and ready to listen to thepromises which I make in your name. 

As an excuse for my long stay that has caused doubts in some quarters, Ispeak of my Suffolk lands which need my care. Also I court the daughterof my host here, the Knight of Clavering, a stubborn Englishman whocannot be won, but a man of great power and repute. This courtship, which began in jest, has ended in earnest, since the girl is veryhaughty and beautiful, and as she will not be played with I propose, with your good leave, to make her my wife. Her father accepts my suit, and when he and the brother are out of the way, as doubtless may happenafter your army comes, she will have great possessions. 

I thank your Grace for the promise of the wide English lands of which Ispoke to you, and the title that goes with them. These I will do my bestto earn, nor will I ask for them till I kneel before you when you arecrowned King of England at Westminster, as I doubt not God will bringabout before this year is out. I have made a map of the road by whichyour army should march on London after landing, and of the towns to besacked upon the way thither. This, however, I keep, since although notone in ten thousand of these English swine can read French, or any othertongue, should it chance to be lost, all can understand a map. Not thatthere is any fear of loss, for who will meddle with a priest who carriescredentials signed by his Holiness himself. 

I do homage to your Grace. This written with my hand from Blythburgh, inSuffolk, on the twentieth day of February, 1346. 

Edmund of Noyon. 

Father Arnold ceased reading, and Hugh gasped out:

"What a fool is this knave-Count!"

"Most men are, my son, in this way or in that, and the few wise profitby their folly. Thus this letter, which he thought so safe, will saveEngland to Edward and his race, you from many dangers, your betrothedfrom a marriage which she hates--that is, if you can get safe away withit from Dunwich. "

"Where to, Father?"

"To King Edward in London, with another that I will write for you erethe dawn. "

"But is it safe, Father, to trust so precious a thing to me, who havebitter enemies awaiting me, and may as like as not be crow's meat byto-morrow?"

Father Arnold looked at him with his soft and dreamy eyes, then said:

"I think the crow's not hatched that will pick your bones, Hugh, thoughat the last there be crows, or worms, for all of us. "

"Why not, Father? Doubtless, this morning young John of Claveringthought as much, and now he is in the stake-nets, or food for fishes. "

"Would you like to hear, Hugh, and will you keep it to yourself, evenfrom Eve?"

"Ay, that I would and will. "

"He'll think me mad!" muttered the old priest to himself, then wenton aloud as one who takes a sudden resolution. "Well, I'll tell you, leaving you to make what you will of a story that till now has beenheard by no living man. "

"Far in the East is the great country that we call Cathay, though intruth it has many other names, and I alone of all who breathe in Englandhave visited that land. "

"How did you get there?" asked Hugh, amazed, for though he knew dimlythat Father Arnold had travelled much in his youth, he never dreamedthat he had reached the mystic territories of Cathay, or indeed thatsuch a place really was except in fable. 

"It would take from now till morning to tell, son, nor even then wouldyou understand the road. It is enough to say that I went on a pilgrimageto Jerusalem, where our blessed Saviour died. That was the beginning. Thence I travelled with Arabs to the Red Sea, where wild men made aslave of me, and we were blown across the Indian Ocean to a beauteousisland named Ceylon, in which all the folk are black. 

"From this place I escaped in a vessel called a junk, that brought meto the town of Singapore. Thence at last, following my star, I came toCathay after two years of journeyings. There I dwelt in honour forthree more years, moving from place to place, since never before had itsinhabitants seen a Western man, and they made much of me, always sendingme forward to new cities. So at length I reached the greatest of themall, which is called Kambaluc, or Peking, and there was the guest of itsEmperor, Timur. 

"All the story of my life and adventures yonder I have written down, andany who will may read it after I am dead. But of these I have no time tospeak, nor have they anything to do with you. Whilst I dwelt in Kambalucas the guest of the Emperor Timur, I made study of the religion of thismighty people, who, I was told, worshipped gods in the shape of men. Ivisited a shrine called the Temple of Heaven, hoping that there I shouldsee such a god who was named Tien, but found in it nothing but splendidemptiness. 

"Then I asked if there was no god that I could see with my eyes, whereon the Emperor laughed at me and said there was such a god, buthe counselled me not to visit him. I prayed him to suffer me to do so, since I, who worshipped the only true God, feared no other. Whereon, growing angry, he commanded some of his servants to 'take this fool tothe house of Murgh and let him see whether his God could protect himagainst Murgh. ' Having said this he bade me farewell, adding that thoughevery man must meet Murgh once, few met him twice, and therefore he didnot think that he should see me again. 

"Now, in my heart I grew afraid, but none would tell me more of thisMurgh or what was likely to happen to me at his hands. Still, I wouldnot show any fear, and, strong in the faith of Christ, I determined tolook upon this idol, for such I expected him to be. 

"That night the servants of Timur bore me out of the city in a litter, and by the starlight I saw that we travelled toward a hill through greatgraveyards, where people were burying their dead. At the foot of thehill they set me down upon a road, and told me to walk up it, and thatat dawn I should see the House of Murgh, whereof the gates were alwaysopen, and could enter there if I wished. I asked if they would wait formy return, whereon they answered, smiling, that if I so desired theywould do so till evening, but that it seemed scarcely needful, sincethey did not suppose that I should return. 

"'Do yonder pilgrims to the House of Murgh return?' asked their captain, pointing towards those graveyards which we had passed. 

"I made no answer, but walked forward up a broad and easy road, unchallenged of any, till I came to what, even in that dim light, Icould see was a great and frowning gateway, whereof the doors appearedto be open. Now, at first I thought I would pass this gateway at onceand see what lay beyond. But from this I was held back by some greatfear, for which I could find no cause, unless it were bred of whatthe Emperor and his servants had said to me. So I remembered theirwords--namely, that I should tarry till dawn to enter the house. 

"There, then, I tarried, seated on the ground before the gateway, andfeeling as though, yet alive, I had descended among the dead. Indeed, the silence was that of the dead. No voice spoke, no hound barked, noleaf stirred. Only far above me I heard a continual soughing, as thoughwinged souls passed to and fro. Never in my life had I felt so muchalone, never so much afraid. 

"At length the dawn broke, and oh, glad was I to see its light, for fearlest I should die in darkness! Now I saw that I was on a hilltopwhere grew great groves of cedar trees, and that set amid them was ablack-tiled temple, surrounded by a wall built of black brick. 

"It was not a great place, although the gateway, which was surmounted bytwo black dragons of stone or iron, was very great, so great that a tallship could have sailed through it and left its arch untouched. 

"I kneeled down and prayed to the blessed Saints and the guardian angelsto protect me. Then I arose, crossed myself to scare off all evil thingsby that holy sign, and set forward toward the mighty gateway. Oh, never, never till that hour had I understood how lowly a thing is man! On thatbroad road, travelling toward the awful, dragon-guarded arch, beyondwhich lay I knew not what, it seemed to me that I was the only manleft in the world, I, whose hour had come to enter the portals ofdestruction. 

"I passed into the cold shadow of the gateway, unchallenged by anywatchman, and found myself in a courtyard surrounded by a wall alsobuilt of black brick, which had doors in it that seemed to be of darkstone or iron. Whither these doors led I do not know, since the wall cutoff the sight of any buildings that may have lain beyond. In the centreof this courtyard was a pool of still, black water, and at the head ofthe pool a chair of black marble. "

Sir Andrew paused, and Hugh said:

"A plain place for a temple, Father, without adornments or images. Butperhaps this was the outer court, and the temple stood within. "

"Ay, son, the plainest temple that ever I saw, who have seen many inall lands, though what was beyond it I do not know. And yet--terrible, terrible, terrible!--I tell you that those black walls and that blackwater were more fearsome to look on than any churchyard vault grimwith bones, or a torture-pit where victims quiver out their soulsmidst shrieks and groanings. And yet I could see nothing of which to beafraid, and hear nothing save that soughing of invisible wings whereof Ihave spoken. An empty chair, a pool of water, some walls and doors, and, above, the quiet sky. What was there to fear in such things as these?Still, so greatly did I fear that I sank to my knees and began to prayonce more, this time to the blessed Saviour himself, since I was surethat none else could help me. 

"When I looked up again the chair was no longer empty. Hugh, a man satin it, of whom I thought at first only one thing--that he must be verystrong, though not bigger than other men. Strength seemed to flow fromhim. I should not have wondered if he had placed his hands upon themassive sides of that stone chair and torn it asunder. "

"What was he like, Father? Samson or Goliath?"

"I never saw either, son, so cannot say. But what was he like? Oh, Icannot say that either, although still I see him in my heart. My mortallips will not tell the likeness of that man, perhaps because he seemedto be like all men, and yet different from all. He had an iron brow, beneath which shone deep, cold eyes. He was clean-shaven, or perchancehis face grew no hair. His lips were thick and still and his featuresdid not change like those of other men. He looked as though he could notchange; as though he had been thus for infinite ages, and yet remainedneither young nor old. As for his dress, he wore a cloak of flaming red, such a cloak as your Eve loves to wear, and white sandals on his feet. There was no covering on his shaven head, which gleamed like a skull. His breast was naked, but across it hung one row of black jewels. From the sheen of them I think they must have been pearls, which aresometimes found of that colour in the East. He had no weapon nor staff, and his hands hung down on either side of the chair. 

"For a long while I watched him, but if he saw me he took no note. AsI watched I perceived that birds were coming to and leaving him incountless numbers, and thought that it must be their wings which madethe constant soughing sound that filled all the still and dreadful air. "

"What kind of birds were they, Father?"

"I am not sure, but I think doves; at least, their flight was straightand swift like to that of doves. Yet of this I am not sure either, since I saw each of them for but a second. As they reached the man theyappeared out of nothingness. They were of two colours, snow-white andcoal-black. The white appeared upon his right side, the black uponhis left side. Each bird in those never-ceasing streams hovered for aninstant by his head, the white over his right shoulder, the black overhis left shoulder, as though they whispered a message to his ear, andhaving whispered were gone upon their errand. "

"What was that errand, Father?"

"How can I know, as no one ever told me? Yet I will hazard a guess thatit had to do with the mystery of life and death. Souls that were borninto the world, and souls departing from the world, perchance, makingreport to one of God's ministers clothed in flesh. But who can say? Atleast I watched those magic fowls till my eyes grew dizzy, and a sort ofslumber began to creep into my brain. 

"How long I stayed thus I do not remember, for I had lost all sense oftime. In the end, however, I was awakened by a cold, soft voice, thesound of which seemed to flow through my veins like ice, that addressedme in our own rough English tongue, spoken as you and I learned it atour nurses' knees. 

"'To what god were you praying just now, Andrew Arnold?'

"'Oh, sir, ' I answered, 'how do you, who dwell in Cathay, where I am astranger, know my language and my name?'

"He lifted his cold eyes and looked at me, and I felt them pierce intothe depths of my soul. 'In the same way that I know your heart, ' hesaid. 'But do not ask questions. Answer them, that I may learn whetheryou are a true man or a liar. '

"'I was praying to Christ, ' I faltered, 'the Saviour of us all. '

"'A great God, Andrew Arnold, and a pure, though His followers are fewin the world as yet. But do you think that He can save you from Me, asyou were asking Him to do?'

"'He can save my soul, ' I replied, plucking up courage, who would notdeny the Lord even in a devil's den. 

"'Ah! your soul. Well, I have nothing to do with souls, except to countthem as they pass through my dominion, and you are quite right to prayto one of the lords of that into which you go. Now, man, what is yourbusiness with me, and why do you visit one of whom you are so muchafraid?'

"'O Murgh!' I began, then ceased, for I knew not what to answer. 

"'So they have told you my name? Now I will tell you one of itsmeanings. It is "Gate of the Gods. " Why did you dare to visit Gate ofthe Gods? You fear to answer. Listen! You came forth to see some paintedidol, or some bedizened priest muttering rites he does not understand tothat which is not; and lo! you have found that which is behind all idolsand all priests. You sought an incensed and a golden shrine and youhave found only the black and iron portals which every man must pass butwhich few desire to enter until they are called. Well, you are young andstrong, come try a fall with Murgh, and when he has thrown you, rise andchoose which of those ways you will, ' and he swept his hand toward thedoors around him. 'Then forget this world and enter into that which youhave chosen. '

"Now, because I could not help myself, I rose from my knees andadvanced, or was drawn toward that dreadful man. As I came he, too, rosefrom his chair, stretching out his arms as a wrestler does, and I knewthat within the circle of those arms lay my death. Still I, who in myyouth was held brave, went on and rushed, striving to clasp him. Nextmoment, before ever I touched him--oh, well was it for me that I touchedhim not!--some strength seized me and whirled me round and round as adead leaf is whirled by the wind, and tossed me up and cast me down andleft me prone and nerveless. 

"'Rise, ' said the cold voice above me, 'for you are unhurt. '

"So I rose, and felt even then that I who thought that every bone in mybody must be broken, was stronger than I had ever been before. It was asthough the lamp which had burnt low was filled suddenly with a new andpurer oil. 

"'Man, ' said mine adversary, and I thought that in his cold eyes therewas something like a smile, 'did you think to touch Murgh and live? Didyou think to wrestle with him as in a book of one of your prophets acertain Jacob wrestled with an angel, and conquered--until it was histurn to pass the Gate of the Gods?'

"Now I stared at this dweller in Cathay, who spoke my tongue and knewthe tale of Jacob in the ancient Book, then answered:

"'Sir Murgh, or Sir Gate, or whatever your name may be, I thought to donothing. You drew me to you, you challenged me and, since by the ruleof my Order I may refuse no challenge from one who is not a Christian, I came on to do my best. But before ever I laid hand on you I was castdown by a wind. That is all the story, save that it has pleased you tolet me live, who evidently could have slain me, for which I thank you. '

"'You are wrong, Sir Andrew, ' he answered, 'I did not draw you to me. Men come to Murgh at their appointed hour; Murgh does not come to them. You sought him before your hour, and therefore he refused you. Yet youwill meet him again, as all flesh must when its hour comes, and becauseyou are bold and have not cringed before my strength, for your comfortI will show you when and how. Stand by me, but lay no hand on me or myrobe, and look into my glass while for a moment, for your sake, I staythe stream of time and show you what lies beneath its foam that blindsthe eyes of men. '

"He waved his arms and the black doves and the white doves ceased toappear and disappear, and the eternal soughings of their wings wassilent. He pointed to the water at his feet and I saw, not a picture, but a scene so real that I could have sworn it was alive about me. Yes, those who took part in it stood in front of me as though the pool weresolid ground that their feet pressed. _You_ were one of them, son, _you_were one of them, " and the old knight paused, supporting himself againstthe mantel-shelf as though that recollection overcame him. 

"What did you see?" whispered Hugh. 

"By God's holy name, I saw the Blythburgh Marshes deep in snow that wasred, blood-red with the light of sunrise. Oh! I could not be mistook, and there ran the wintry river, there the church tower soared, therewere the frowning, tree-clad banks. There was the rough moorland overwhich the east wind piped, for the dead bracken bent before it, and nottwenty paces from me leaped a hare, disturbed suddenly from its form bya hungry fox, whose red head peeped through the reeds. Yes, yes, I sawthe brute's white teeth gleam as it licked its disappointed lips, andI felt glad that its prey had beaten it! When you look upon that scene, Hugh, as one day you shall, remember the hare and the head of the hungryfox, and by these judge my truth. "

"A fox and a hare!" broke in Hugh. "I'd show you such to-morrow; wasthere no more?"

"Ay, much. For instance, a hollow in the Marsh, an open grave, and anaxe; yes, an axe that had delved it where the bog was soft beneath thesnow. Grey Dick held the axe in one hand and his black bow in the other, while Red Eve, your Eve, stood at its edge and stared into it like onein a dream. Then at the head of the grave an old, old man clad in mailbeneath his priestly robes, and that man _myself_, Hugh, grown veryancient, but still myself, and no other. 

"And at the foot of the grave _you_, Hugh de Cressi, you and no other, wayworn and fierce, but also clad in mail, and wearing a knight's crestupon your shield. You with drawn sword in hand, and facing you, also with drawn sword, rage and despair on his dark face, a stately, foreign-looking man, whom mine eyes have never seen, but whom I shouldknow again midst a million, a man who, I think, was doomed to fill thegrave. 

"Lastly, standing on a little mound near to the bank of the swirlingriver, where jagged sheets of ice ground against each other like theteeth of the wicked in hell, strangely capped and clad in black, hisarms crossed upon his breast and a light smile in his cold eyes, he whowas called Murgh in Cathay, he who named himself Gateway of the Gods!

"For a moment I saw, then all was gone, and I found myself--I know notwhy--walking toward the mighty arch whereon sat the iron dragons. In itsshadow I turned and looked back. There at the head of the pool the manwas seated in his chair, and to right and to left of him came the blackdoves and the white doves in countless multitudes, all the thousandsof them that had been stayed in their flight pouring down upon him atonce--or so I thought. They wheeled about his head, they hid his facefrom me, and I--I departed into the shadow of the arch, and I saw himand them no more. "

CHAPTER IV

THE PENANCE

The tale was done, and these two stood staring at one another from eachside of the glowing hearth, whose red light illumined their faces. Atlength the heavy silence was broken by Sir Andrew. 

"I read your heart, Hugh, " he said, "as Murgh read mine, for I thinkthat he gave me not only strength, but something of his wisdom also, whereby I was able to win safe back to England and to this hour to walkunharmed by many a pit. I read your heart, and in its book is writtenthat you think me mad, one who pleases his old age with tales of marvelthat others told him, or which his own brain fashioned. "

"Not so, Father, " answered Hugh uneasily, for in truth some suchthoughts were passing through his mind. "Only--only the thing is verystrange, and it happened so long ago, before Eve and I were born, beforethose that begot us were born either, perchance. "

"Yes; more than fifty years ago--it may be sixty--I forget. In sixtyyears the memory plays strange tricks with men, no doubt, so how can Iblame you if you believe--what you do believe? And yet, Hugh, " he wenton after a pause, and speaking with passion, "this was no dream of whichI tell you. Why do you suppose that among all those that have grown upabout me I have chosen you out to love, you and your Eve? Not becausea chance made me your godsire and her my pupil. I say that from yourinfancy your faces haunted me. Ay, and when you had turned childhood'scorner and once I met the pair of you walking hand in hand, then of asudden I knew that it was you two and no others whom that god or devilhad showed to me standing by the open grave upon the banks of Blythe. Iknew it of Dick the Archer also, and can I be mistaken of such a man asthat who has no fellow in England? But you think I dreamed it all, andperhaps I should not have spoken, though something made me speak. Well, in a day to come you may change your mind, since whatever dangersthreaten you will not die yet, Hugh. Tell me now, what is this Frenchmanlike who would marry Eve? I have never seen him. "

Hugh, who was glad to get back to the things of earth, described Acouras best he could. 

"Ah!" said Sir Andrew. "Much such a man as stood face to face with youby the grave while Murgh watched; and you are not likely to be friends, are you? But I forgot. You have determined that it was but a dream andnow you are wondering how he who is called Gate of the Gods in Cathaycould come to Blythburgh. Well, I think that all the world is hisgarden, given to him by God, but doubtless that's only another face ofmy dream whereof we'll speak no more--at present. Now for your troubles, which are no dream. Lie you down to sleep on the skin of that stripedbeast. I killed it in Cathay--in my day of dreams, and now it shallserve for yours, from which may the dead eyes of John Clavering beabsent! I go forth to seek your father and to arrange certain matters. With Grey Dick at the door you'll be safe for a while, I think. If not, here's a cupboard where you may hide. " And, drawing aside the arras, heshowed him a certain secret place large enough to hold a man, then leftthe room. 

Hugh laid himself upon the skin of the beast, which had been a tiger, though he did not know it by that name. So weary was he that not all hehad gone through that day or even the old warrior-priest's marvelloustale, in which he and Eve played so wonderful a part, could keep hiseyes from closing. Presently he was fast asleep, and so remained until, four hours later, something disturbed him, and he awoke to see SirAndrew writing at a desk. 

"Rise, my son, " said the old priest without looking up from his paper. "Early as it is you must be stirring if you would be clear of Dunwich bydaybreak and keep a whole skin. I have set a taper in my sleeping-closetyonder, and there you'll find water to wash with and a stool to kneel onfor your prayers, neither of which neglect, since you have blood on yourhands and great need for Heaven's help. "

So Hugh arose, yawning, and stumbled heavily to the chamber, for he wasstill faint with sleep, which would not leave him till he had plungedhis head into a basin of icy water. This done, he knelt and prayed as hehad been bidden, with a very earnest heart, and afterward came back tothe guest-hall. 

Seeing folk gathered there as he entered he laid hand on sword, not hisown with which he had killed his cousin, but a long and knightly weaponthat Sir Andrew had given him with the armour. Drawing it, he advancedboldly, for he thought that his enemies might have found him out, andthat his best safety lay in courage. Thus he appeared in the ring of thelamplight clad in gleaming steel and with raised weapon. 

"What, son!" asked a testy voice which he knew for that of his ownfather, "is it not enough to have killed your cousin? Would you fallon your brothers and me also, that you come at us clad in mail and withbare steel in hand?"

Hearing these words Hugh sheathed the sword, and, advancing toward thespeaker, a handsome, portly man, who wore a merchant's robe lined withrich fur, sank to his knee before him. 

"Your pardon, my father, " he said. "Sir Andrew here will have told youthe story; also that I am not to blame for this blood-shedding. "

"I think you need to ask it, " replied Master de Cressi, "and if you andthat lean henchman of yours are not to blame, then say who is?"

Now a tall, slim figure glided up to them. It was Eve, clothed in herown robe again, and beautiful as ever after her short rest. 

"Sir, I am to blame, " she said in her full, low voice. "My need was soreand I sent a messenger to Hugh bidding him meet me in the BlythburghMarsh. There we were set on, and there John Clavering, my brother, smoteHugh in the face. Would you, a de Cressi, have had him take the blow andyield me up to the Frenchman?"

"By God and my forefathers, no! least of all from one of yourstock--saving your presence, " answered the merchant. "In truth, had hedone so, dead or living from that day I would have called him no son ofmine. Yet, Red Eve, you and he and your love-makings have brought muchtrouble on me and my House. Look now what it means. A feud to the deathbetween our families of which no man can foresee the end. Moreover, howcan you marry, seeing that a brother's blood runs between you?"

"It is on John's head, " she answered sadly, "not on Hugh's hand. Iwarned him, and Hugh spared him once. What more could we do?"

"I know not, Eve; I only know what you have done, you and Hugh and GreyDick. Four dead and two wounded, that's the bill I must discharge asbest I may. Doubtless too soon there will be more to follow, whetherthey be Claverings or de Cressis. Well, we must take things as God sendsthem, and leave Him to balance the account. 

"But there is no time to lose if Hugh's neck is to escape a halter. Speak you, Father Andrew, who are wise and old, and have this matter inhand. Oh! Hugh, Hugh, you were born a fighter, not a merchant like yourbrethren, " and he pointed to three young men who all this while hadstood silently behind him looking upon their youngest brother with gravedisapproval. "Yes, the old Norman blood comes out in you, and the Normanmail suits you well, " he added with a flash of pride, "and so there's anend--or a beginning. Now, Sir Andrew, speak. "

"Master de Cressi, " said the old priest, "your son Hugh rides to Londonon an errand of mine which I think will save his neck from that halterwhereof you spoke but now. Are those four mounted men that you promisedme ready to companion him?"

"They will be within an hour, Father, but not before, since six goodhorses cannot be laid hands on in the dead of night, being stabledwithout the gates. But what is this message of yours, and to whom doesHugh go?"

"To his Grace Edward the King, none less, Geoffrey de Cressi, with thatwhich shall earn pardon for him and Dick the Archer, or so I believe. As for what it is I may not tell you or any man. It has to do with greatmatters of State that are for the King's ear alone; and I charge you, every one, on your honour and your safety, to make no mention of thismission without these walls. Do you swear, Geoffrey de Cressi, and you, his sons?"

Then one by one they swore to be secret as the grave; and Eve sworealso, though of her he had sought no promise. When this was finished SirAndrew asked if any of his brothers accompanied Hugh, saying that if sothey must arm. 

"No, " answered Master de Cressi, "one of the family is enough to riskas well as four of our best servants. My sons bide here with me, who mayneed their help, though they are not trained to arms. "

"Perhaps it is as well, " said Sir Andrew drily, "though were I theirage--well, let that be. Now, son Hugh, before you eat do you and Evecome with me into the church. "

At these words Hugh flushed red with joy, and opened his lips to speak. 

"Nay, nay, " broke in Sir Andrew, with a frown; "for a different purposeto that which is in your mind. Man, is this a time for marrying andgiving in marriage? And if it were, could I marry you who are stainedwith new-shed blood? 'Tis that you both may be absolved from the guiltof that blood and learn the penance which God decrees to you throughthe mouth of me, His unworthy minister, in payment of its shedding. Thusyou, son, may go forth upon your great adventure with a clean heart, andyou, daughter, may await what shall befall with a quiet mind. Say, areyou willing?"

Now they bowed their heads and answered that they were, though Evewhispered to Hugh that she misdoubted her of this talk of penance. 

"So do I, " he replied, beneath his breath, "but he is a mercifulconfessor and loves us. From some it might be harder. "

They passed down the stairs, followed by Master de Cressi and his sons, into the entrance hall, where Grey Dick stood watching by the door. 

"Whither go they?" he asked of Sir Andrew, "for their road is mine. "

"To confession at God's altar, " answered the old priest. "Do you comealso, Richard?"

"Oh!" he replied, "I hoped it had been to breakfast. As for confession Ihave naught upon my soul save that I shot too low at the Frenchman. "

"Bide where you are, O man of blood, " said Sir Andrew sternly: "and praythat a better mood be given to you before it is too late. "

"Ay, Father, " he answered unabashed. "I'll pray, and it is as well thatone should wait to watch the door lest you should all presently becomemen of blood against your will. "

Turning to the right, Sir Andrew led them down steps to a passageunderground that joined the Temple to the Church of the Holy Virgin andSt. John. It was but short, and at the end of it they found a massivedoor which he unbolted, and, passing this door, entered the greatbuilding, whereof the silence and the icy cold struck them like blows. They had but two lanterns between them, one of which Master de Cressiand his elder sons took with them to the nave of the church. Bearing theother, Sir Andrew departed into the vestry, leaving Hugh and Eve seatedtogether in the darkness of the chancel stalls. 

Presently his light reappeared in the confessional, where he sat robed, and thither at his summons went first Hugh and then Eve. When theirtales were told, those who watched in the nave of the splendidbuilding--which, reared by the Knights Templar, was already followingthat great Order to decay and ruin--saw the star of light he bore ascendto the high altar. Here he set it down, and, advancing to the rail, addressed the two shadowy figures that knelt before him. 

"Son and daughter, " he said, "you have made confession with contritehearts, and the Church has given you absolution for your sins. Yetpenance remains, and because those sins, though grievous in themselves, were not altogether of your own making, it shall be light. Hugh deCressi and Eve Clavering, who are bound together by lawful love betweenman and woman and the solemn oath of betrothal which you here renewbefore God, this is the penance that I lay upon you by virtue of theauthority in me vested as a priest of Christ: Because between you runsthe blood of John Clavering, the cousin of one of you and the brotherof the other, slain by you, Hugh de Cressi, in mortal combat but yestereve, I decree and enjoin that for a full year from this day you shallnot be bound together as man and wife in the holy bonds of matrimony, nor converse after the fashion of affianced lovers. If you obey this hercommand, faithfully, then by my mouth the Church declares that afterthe year has gone by you may lawfully be wed where and when you will. Moreover, she pronounces her solemn blessing on you both and herdreadful curse upon any and upon all who shall dare to sunder youagainst your desires, and of this blessing and this curse let all thecongregation take notice. "

Now Hugh and Eve rose and vanished into the darkness. When they hadgone the priest celebrated a short mass, but two or three prayers and ablessing, which done, all of them returned to the Preceptory as they hadcome. 

Here food was waiting for them, prepared by the old Sister Agnes. It wasa somewhat silent meal of which no one ate very much except Grey Dick, who remarked aloud that as this might be his last breakfast it should beplentiful, since, shriven or unshriven, it was better to die upon a fullstomach. 

Master de Cressi called him an impious knave. Then he asked him if hehad plenty of arrows, because if not he would find four dozen of thebest that could be made in Norwich done up in a cloak on the grey horsehe was to ride, and a spare bow also. 

"I thank you for the arrows, Master, but as for the bow, I use none butmy own, the black bow which the sea brought to me and death alone shallpart from me. Perchance both will be wanted, since the Claverings willscarcely let us out of the sanctuary if they can help it. Still, it istrue they may not know where we lie hid, and that is our best chance ofeating more good breakfasts this side the grave. "

"A pest on your evil talk, " said de Cressi with an uneasy laugh, forhe loved Hugh best of all his sons and was afraid of him. "Get throughsafely, man, and though I like not your grim face and bloody ways youshall lose little by it. I promise you, " he added in a whisper, "that ifyou bring my boy safe home again, you shall not want for all your life;ay, and if there is need, I'll pay your blood-scot for you. "

"Thank you, master, thank you. I'll remember, and for my part promiseyou this, that if he does not return safe, Dick the Archer never will. But I think I'll live to shoot more than your four dozen of arrows. "

As he spoke there came a knock upon the outer door and every one sprangup. 

"Fear not, " said Sir Andrew; "doubtless it will be the men with thehorses. I'll go look. Come you with me, Richard. "

Presently he returned, saying that it was so, and that Master deCressi's servants were waiting with the beasts in the courtyard. Alsothat they brought tidings that some of the Clavering party were nowat the Mayor's house, rousing him from his sleep, doubtless to layinformation of the slayings and ask for warrant to take those whowrought them, should they be in the borough. 

"Then we had best be going, " said Hugh, "since soon they will be herewith or without their warrant. "

"Ay, " answered Sir Andrew. "Here are the papers. Take them, Hugh, andhide them well; and if any accident should befall you, try to passthem on to Richard that they may be delivered into the King's hands atWestminster. Say that Sir Andrew Arnold sends you on business that hasto do with his Grace's safety, and neither of you will be refused ahearing. Then act as he may command you, and maybe ere long we shall seeyou back at Dunwich pardoned. "

"I think it is the Claverings and their French lord who need pardon, notI, " said Hugh. "But be that as it may, what of Eve?"

"Fear not for Eve, son, for here she bides in sanctuary until theFrenchman is out of England, or perchance, " he added grimly, "underEnglish soil. "

"Ay, ay, we'll guard the maid, " broke in Master de Cressi. "Come! tosaddle ere you be trapped. "

So they descended to a back entrance, and through it into the courtyard, where the four armed men waited with six good horses, one of them Hugh'sown. Here he bade farewell to his brothers, to his father, who kissedhim on the brow, and to Sir Andrew, who stretched his hand above hishead in blessing. Then he turned to Eve and was about to embraceher even before that company, when Sir Andrew looked at him, and, remembering the penance that had been laid upon him, he but pressed herhand, whispering:

"God be with you, sweetheart!"

"He is with us all, but I would that you could be with me also, " sheanswered in the same low voice. "Still, man must forth to battleand woman must wait and watch, for that is the world's way. Whate'erbefalls, remember that dead or living I'll be wife to no man but you. Begone now ere my heart fails me, and guard yourself well, rememberingthat you bear in your breast not one life, but two. "

Then Hugh swung himself to the saddle of which Grey Dick had alreadytested the girths and stirrup leathers. In another minute the six ofthem were clattering over the stones of Middlegate Street, while theburgesses of Dunwich peeped from their window places, wondering whatknight with armed men rode through their town thus early. 

Just as the grey dawn broke they passed the gate, which, there beingpeace in the land, was already open. Fifteen minutes later they wereon the lonely Westleton Heath, where for a while naught was to be heardsave the scream of the curlew and the rush of the wings of the wild-duckpassing landward from the sea. Presently, however, another sound reachedtheir ears, that of horses galloping behind them. Grey Dick pulled reinand listened. 

"Seven, I think, not more, " he said. "Now, master, do you stand or run, for these will be Clavering horses?"

Hugh thought for a moment. His aim was not to fight, but to get throughto London. Yet if he fled the pursuers would raise the country on themas they came, so that in the end they must be taken, since those whofollowed would find fresh horses. 

"It seems best to stand, " he said. 

"So say I, " answered Grey Dick; and led the way to a little hillock bythe roadside on which grew some wind-bent firs. 

Here they dismounted and gave their horses into the keeping of one man, while Grey Dick and the others drew their bows from the cases and strungthem. Scarcely had they done so when the mist, lifting in the morningbreeze, showed them their pursuers--seven of them, as Dick hadsaid--headed by one of the French knights, and riding scattered, betweentwo and three hundred yards away. At the same moment a shout told themthat they had been seen. 

"Hark now all!" said Hugh. "I would shed no more blood if it may be so, who have earned enough of penance. Therefore shoot at the horses, notat the riders, who without them will be helpless. And let no man harm aClavering unless it be to save his own life. "

"Poor sport!" grunted Grey Dick. 

Nevertheless, when the Norman knight who led came within two hundredyards, shouting to them in French to surrender, Dick lifted his greatbow, drew and loosed carelessly, as though he shot at hazard, the othersholding their bows till the Claverings were nearer. Yet there was littleof hazard when Grey Dick shot, save to that at which he aimed. Awayrushed the arrow, rising high and, as it seemed, bearing somewhat to theleft of the knight. Yet when it drew near to that knight the wind toldon it and bent it inward, as he knew it would. Fair and full it struckupon the horse's chest, piercing through to the heart, so that down thepoor beast came, throwing its rider to the ground. 

"A good shot enough, " grumbled Grey Dick. "Still, it is a shame to slaynags of such a breed and let the rogues who ride them go. "

But his companions only stared at him almost in awe, while the otherClavering men rode on. Before they had covered fifty paces, again thegreat bow twanged, and again a horse was seen to rear itself up, shaking the rider from its back, and then plunge away to die. Now Hugh'sserving-men also lifted their bows, but Grey Dick hissed:

"Leave them to me! This is fine work, and you'd muddle it!"

Ere the words had ceased to echo another horse was down. 

Then, as those who remained still came on, urged by the knight who ranshouting behind them, all loosed, and though some arrows went wide, theend of it was that ere they reached the little mound every Claveringhorse was dead or sore wounded, while on the heath stood or lay sevenhelpless men. 

"Now, " said Grey Dick, "let us go and talk with these foot-soldiers. "

So they went out, all of them, except he who had the horses, and Hughcalled aloud that the first man of the Claverings who lifted a bow ordrew a sword should die without mercy. And he pointed to Grey Dick, whostood beside him, arrow on string. 

The Claverings began to talk together excitedly. 

"Throw down your weapons!" commanded Hugh. 

Still they hesitated. Then, without further warning Dick sent an artfularrow through the cap of one of them, lifting it from his head, andinstantly set another shaft to his string. After this, down went theswords and bows. 

"Daggers and knives, too, if it please you, masters!"

Then these followed. 

Now Hugh spoke a word to his men, who, going to the dead and dyinghorses, took from them the stirrup-leathers and bridle-reins andtherewith bound the Claverings back to back. But the French knight, inacknowledgment of his rank, they trussed up by himself, having firstrelieved him of his purse by way of fine. As it chanced, however, Hughturned and saw them in the act. 

"God's truth! Would you make common thieves of us?" he said angrily. "Their weapons and harness are ours by right of war, but I'll hunt theman who steals their money out of my company. "

So the purse was restored. When it was safe in the knight's pouch againHugh saluted him, begging his pardon that it should have been touched. 

"But how are you named, sir?" he added. 

"Sir Pierre de la Roche is my name, " replied the knight sadly, and inFrench. 

"Then, Sir Pierre de la Roche, " said Hugh, "here you and your peoplemust bide until some come to set you free, which, as this place islonely and little crossed in winter, may be to-day or may be to-morrow. When at length you get back to Blythburgh Manor, however, or to Dunwichtown, I trust it to your honour to declare that Hugh de Cressi has dealtwell with you. For whereas he might have slain you every one, as youwould have slain him and his if you could, he has harmed no hair of yourheads. As for your horses, these, to his sorrow, he was obliged to killlest they should be used to ride him down. Will you do this of yourcourtesy?"

"Ay, " answered the knight, "since to your gentleness we owe our lives. But with your leave I will add that we were overcome not by men, but bya devil"--and he nodded toward Grey Dick--"since no one who is onlyman can have such hellish skill in archery as we saw yesterday, and nowagain this morning. Moreover, " he went on, contemplating Dick's ashenhair and cold eyes set wide apart in the rocky face, like to those of aSuffolk horse, "the man's air shows that he is in league with Satan. "

"I'll not render your words into our English talk, Sir Pierre, " repliedHugh, "lest he of whom you speak should take them amiss and send youwhere you might learn them false. For know, had he been what yousay, the arrow that lies in your horse's heart would have nailed thebreastplate to your own. Now take a message from me to your lord, SirEdmund Acour, the traitor. Tell him that I shall return ere long, andthat if he should dare to attempt ill toward the Lady Eve, who is mybetrothed, or toward my father and brethren, or any of my House, Ipromise, in Grey Dick's name and my own, to kill him or those who mayaid him as I would kill a forest wolf that had slunk into my sheepfold. Farewell! There is bracken and furze yonder where you may lie warm tillsome pass your way. Mount, men!"

So they rode forward, bearing all the Clavering weapons with them, whicha mile or two further on Grey Dick hid in an empty fox's earth wherehe knew he could find them again. Only he kept the French knight'sbeautiful dagger that was made of Spanish steel, inlaid with gold, andused it to his life's end. 

Here it may be told that it was not until thirty-six hours had gone by, as Hugh learned afterward, that a countryman brought this knight andhis companions, more dead than alive, to Dunwich in his wain. As he wastravelling across Westleton Heath, with a load of corn to be ground atthe Dunwich mill, it seemed that he heard voices calling feebly, andguided by them found these unhappy men half buried in the snow that hadfallen on that day, and so rescued them from death. 

But when Sir Edmund Acour knew the story of their overthrow and of themessage that Hugh had sent to him, he raved at them, and especiallyat Sir Pierre de la Roche, saying that the worst of young de Cressi'scrimes against him was that he had left such cowardly hounds alive uponthe earth. So he went on madly till Sir John Clavering checked him, bidding him wait to revile these men until he, and not his horse, hadmet Grey Dick's arrows and Hugh de Cressi's sword. 

"For, " he added, "it may happen then that you will fare no better thanthey have done, or than did John, my son. "

On the morning of the third day after they left Dunwich, having beenmuch delayed by foul weather and fouler roads, Hugh de Cressi and hiscompany came at length to London. They had suffered no further adventureon their way for, though the times were rough and they met manyevil-looking fellows, none ventured to lift hand against six men so wellarmed and sturdy. Guided by one of their number who had often beento London on Master de Cressi's business, they rode straight toWestminster. Having stabled their horses at an inn near by, and cleanedthe mire of the road from their mail and garments, they went up to thepalace, where Hugh told his errand to an officer whom he found on dutyat the gate. 

"Then it is a fool's errand, " said the captain, "seeing that his Gracerode yesterday to his castle at Windsor to hunt and revel, and will begone eight days at the least. "

"Then to Windsor I must follow, " answered Hugh. 

CHAPTER V

GREY DICK SHOWS HIS ARCHERY

So sorely did the horses need rest, that Hugh and his people could notride from London till the following morning, and evening was closing inbefore they found themselves drawing near the gate of Windsor Castle. Inthe market-place of the little town they pulled rein, while one of themwent to search for a good inn at which they might lie, for the placeseemed to be very full of people. Suddenly, as they stood there, wondering at the mighty, new-built keep which towered above them, atrumpet was blown and from round a corner appeared a gay procession ofnoble-looking men, and with them some ladies, who carried hawk on wrist, all mounted on splendid horses. 

Now, the people who had gathered to study the strangers or tout fortheir custom, took off their bonnets and bent low, saying: "The King!The King! God save him!"

"Which is his Grace?" asked Hugh of one of them, whereon the man pointedto a royal-eyed and bearded knight, still in early middle life, who rodetoward him, talking to a gallant youth at his side. 

Now a thought came into Hugh's mind that the present time is always thebest time to strike. Leaping from his horse, he advanced bowing, andstood in the pathway of the King. Seeing this, two of the fine Courtlords spurred their horses and rode straight at him, thinking to drivehim back. But he held his ground, for their insolence made him angry, and, catching the bridle of one of the horses, threw it on its haunchesso sharply that the knight who rode it rolled from his saddle into themire, whereupon every one laughed. In a moment he was on his feet again, and shouting:

"Out of the road, jackanapes, dressed in your grandfather's mail, unlessyou would stop there in the stocks. Do you know whose path you block?"

"That of his Grace, " answered Hugh, "for whom I have a message that hewill be glad to hear, and, popinjay, this for yourself; were it notfor his presence it is you who should stop upon the road till you werecarried thence. "

Now, noting this disturbance, the King spoke to the youth at his side, who came forward and said, in a pleasant, courteous voice, addressingHugh:

"Sir, why do you make trouble in these streets, and tumble the good SirAmbrose Lacey from his horse with such scant ceremony?"

"Sir, " answered Hugh, "because the good Sir Ambrose tried to ride hishorse over me for no offence save that I would deliver a message to hisGrace, which he will wish to hear. "

"This is scarcely a time for the giving of messages, " replied the youngman, "but what is your name, and who sends the message? I am the PrinceEdward, " he added modestly, "so you may speak to me without fear. "

"My name is Hugh de Cressi, your Highness, and I am sent by the ReverendFather Sir Andrew Arnold, of Dunwich, and have followed his Grace fromWestminster, whither I and my men rode first. "

Now, the Prince went to the King and spoke to him, and, returningpresently, said:

"My father says that he knows both the names you give well enough andholds them dear. He bids that you and your people should follow himto the castle, where you will be entertained, with your horses. SirAmbrose, " he added, "the King desires that you should forget yourcholer, since he saw what passed, and deems that this young stranger didwell to check your horse. Follow on, Hugh de Cressi, the officers willshow you where you and your men may lodge. "

So Hugh obeyed, and rode with the rest of the train and his folksthrough the gates of Windsor Castle. Nor did they do so unobserved, since many of the Court had no love for Sir Ambrose, and were glad tosee him tumbled in the mire. 

After they had stabled their beasts, as Hugh, followed by Grey Dick, was advancing toward a hall which he was told that he might enter, anofficer came up. 

"His Grace desires your presence before you sup, " he said. 

Pointing to Grey Dick, at whom the officer looked doubtfully, Hugh askedthat he might accompany him, as he had much to do with the message. After some argument they were led through various passages to a chamber, at the door of which the officer wished to take away Dick's bow. But hewould not give it up. 

"The bow and I do not part, " he said, in his croaking voice, "for we arehusband and wife, and live and sleep together as the married should. "

As Dick spoke the door was opened, and Prince Edward appeared. 

"And do you eat together also, good fellow?" he asked, having overheardthe talk. 

"Ay, sir, we feed full together, " replied Dick grimly; "or so thoughtsome on Blythburgh Marsh a few days gone. "

"I should like to hear that tale, " said the Prince. "Meanwhile, sinceboth my father and I love archers, let him pass with his bow. Only keephis arrows lest it should happen to grow hungry here. "

Then they entered the chamber, led by the Prince. It was a fine place, with a vaulted stone roof and windows of coloured glass, that lookedlike the chancel of a church. Only at the head of it, where the altarshould have been, was a kind of dais. On this dais were set somehigh-backed oaken chairs with many lanterns behind them in which burnedtapers that, together with a great wood fire, gave light to the chamber. 

In one of these chairs sat a gracious lady, who was embroideringsomething silken in a frame. This was Queen Philippa, and talking toher stood the tall King, clad in a velvet robe lined with fur. Behind, seated at a little table on which lay parchments, was a man in apriest's robe, writing. There was no one else in the room. 

Hugh and Dick advanced to the foot of the dais, and stood there bowing. 

"Who are these?" asked the King of the Prince. "Oh, I remember, the manwho overthrew Sir Ambrose and said he had a message!"

"Ay, Sire, " answered the Prince; "and this dust-coloured fellow is hisservant, who will not part with his bow, which he calls his wife andsays he sleeps with. "

"I would all Englishmen did the same, " broke in the King. "Say, man, canyou shoot straight?"

"I know not, Sire, " replied Grey Dick, "but perhaps straighter thanmost, for God, Who withheld all else from me, gave me this gift. Atleast, if I be not made drunk overnight, I'll match myself against anyman at this Court, noble or simple, and stake twenty angels on it. "

"Twenty angels! Have you so much, fellow?"

"Nay, Sire, nor more than one; but as I know I shall win, what does thatmatter?"

"Son, " said the King, "see that this man is kept sober to-night, andto-morrow we will have a shooting match. But, sirrah, if you proveyourself to be a boaster you shall be whipped round the walls, for Ilove not tall words and small deeds. And now, young Master de Cressi, what is this message of yours?"

Hugh thrust his hand into his bosom, and produced a sealed packet whichwas addressed to "His Grace King Edward of England, sent from AndrewArnold, priest, by the hand of Hugh de Cressi. "

"Can you read?" the King asked of Hugh when he had spelt out thissuperscription. 

"Ay, Sire; at least if the writing be that of Sir Andrew Arnold, for hewas my master. "

"A learned one and a brave, Hugh de Cressi. Well, break seal; welisten. "

Hugh obeyed, and read as follows:

"Your Grace:

"Mayhap, Sire, you will remember me, Andrew Arnold, late master of theTemplars in this town of Dunwich, in whose house, by your warrant forcertain services rendered to your grandsire, your sire, and to yourself, I still dwell on as a priest ordained. Sire, the bearer of this, Hugh deCressi, my godchild, is the son of Geoffrey de Cressi, of this town, thegreat wool-merchant, with whom your Highness has had dealings----"

"In truth I have!" interrupted the King, with a laugh. "Also I think theaccount is still open--against myself. Well, it shall be paid some day, when I have conquered France. Forward!"

"Sire, this Hugh is enamoured of Eve Clavering, daughter of Sir JohnClavering of Blythburgh, a cousin of his House, a very beauteous maiden, commonly known as Red Eve, and she in turn is enamoured of and betrothedto him----"

Here Queen Philippa suddenly became interested. 

"Why is the lady called Red Eve, sir?" she asked in her soft voice. "Because her cheeks are red?"

"No, Madam, " answered Hugh, blushing; "because she always loves to wearred garments. "

"Ah, then she is dark!"

"That is so, Madam; her eyes and hair are black as ash-buds. "

"God's truth! Lady, " interrupted King Edward, "is this young man'smessage of the colour of the eyes of his mistress, which, without doubt, being in love, he describes falsely? On with the letter!"

"Out of this matter, " continued Hugh, "rose a feud yesterday, duringwhich Hugh de Cressi killed his cousin John, fighting _à outrance_, andhis servant, Richard the Archer, who accompanies him, commonly known asGrey Dick, slew three men with as many arrows, two of them being Normanswhose names are unknown to us, and the third a grieve to Sir JohnClavering, called Thomas of Kessland. Also, he killed a horse, and whenanother Frenchman tried to grasp his master, sent a shaft through thepalm of his hand. "

"By St. George, " said the King, "but here is shooting! Were they near toyou, Grey Dick?"

"Not so far away, Sire. Only the light was very bad, or I should havehad the fourth. I aimed low, Sire, fearing to miss his skull, and hejerked up his horse's head to take the arrow. "

"A good trick! I've played it myself. Well, let us have done with theletter, and then we'll come to archery. "

"Sire, " read on Hugh, "I ask your royal pardon to Hugh de Cressi andRichard the Archer for these slayings, believing that when you have readthese letters it will be granted. "

"That remains to be seen, " muttered the King. 

"Sire, Sir Edmund Acour, who has lands here in Suffolk, Count de Noyonin Normandy, and Seigneur of Cattrina in Italy----"

"I know the man, " exclaimed Edward to the Queen, "and so do you. Ahandsome knight and a pleasant, but one of whom I have always misdoubtedme. "

"--Is also enamoured of Eve Clavering, and with her father's willseeks to make her his wife, though she hates him, and by the charter ofDunwich, of which she is a citizen, has the right to wed whom she will. "

"It is well there are not many such charters. The old story--brave mendone to death for the sake of a woman who is rightly named Red Eve, "mused the King. 

"My Liege, I pray that you will read the letter herein enclosed. Hugh deCressi will tell you how it came to my hand, since I lack time to writeall the story. If it seems good to your Grace, I pray you scotch thissnake while he is in your garden, lest he should live to sting you whenyou walk abroad. If it please you to give your royal warrant to thebearer of this letter, and to address the same to such of your subjectsin Dunwich as you may think good, I doubt not but that men can be foundto execute the same. Thus would a great and traitorous plot be broughtto nothing, to your own glory and the discomfiture of your foes inFrance, who hope to lay their murderous hands upon the throne ofEngland. "Your humble servant and subject, "Andrew Arnold. "

"What's this?" exclaimed the King starting from his seat. "To lay handsupon the throne of England! Quick with the other letter, man!"

"I was charged that it is for your Grace's eye alone, " said Hugh as heunfolded the paper. "Is it your pleasure that I read it aloud, if I can, for it is writ in French?"

"Give it me, " said the King. "Philippa, come help me with this crabbedstuff. "

Then they withdrew to the side of the dais, and, standing under alantern, spelled out Sir Edmund Acour's letter to the Duke of Normandy, word by word. 

The King finished the letter, and, still holding it in his hand, stoodfor a minute silent. Then his rage broke out. 

"'He of England, '" he quoted. "That's your husband, Edward, Lady, who isto be overthrown and killed 'that Philip's son may take his seat and becrowned King at Westminster, ' which God is to bring about before thisyear is out. Yes; and my cities are to be sacked and my people slain, and this French dog, Edmund Acour, who has sworn fealty to me, is to berewarded with wide English lands and high English titles. Well, by God'sblood I swear that, dead or living, he shall be lifted higher than hehopes, though not by Normandy or my brother of France! Let me think! Letme think! If I send men-at-arms he'll hear of it and slip away. Did notgood old Sir Andrew call him a snake? Now, where's this girl, Red Eve?"

"In sanctuary, Sire, at the Temple Church in Dunwich, " answered Hugh. 

"Ah, and she's a great heiress now, for you killed her brother, andAcour, although he has wide possessions in sundry lands, was ever aspendthrift and deep in debt. No, he'll not leave unless he can getthe girl; and old Sir Andrew will guard her well with the power ofthe Church, and with his own right arm if need be, for he's still moreknight than priest. So there's no hurry. Tell me all you know of thisstory, Hugh de Cressi, omitting nothing, however small. Nay, have nofear, if you can vouch for your fellow there, all of us in this chamberare loyal to England. Speak out, man. "

So Hugh began and told of the de Cressis and the Claverings and theirfeud, and of how he and Eve had always loved each other. He told oftheir meeting in the reeds of Blythburgh Fen, and of the death of Johnde Clavering at his hand and of the others at the hand of Grey Dick, andof the escape of Acour from the fourth arrow. He told how he and Evehad swum the Blyth in flood though the ice cut them, and hid on themoor while Grey Dick led the Claverings astray, and came at last safe tosanctuary. He told how Acour's letter had been won from his messengerby Sir Andrew's loyal guile. He told of the penance that Sir Andrew hadlaid upon them because of the new-shed blood of John Clavering, of theflight from Dunwich and the shooting of the horses of the Clavering men, and of their ride to London and to Windsor. He told everything, saveonly the tale of what Sir Andrew had seen in the House of Murgh in farCathay. 

When at last he had finished, and though it was long none there grewweary of that story, the King turned to the clerk, and said:

"Brother Peter, make out a full pardon to Hugh de Cressi of Dunwich andRichard Archer his servant for all slayings or other deeds wrought bythem contrary to our general peace. Draw it wide, and bring the same tome for execution ere I sleep to-night. Make out a commission also tothe Mayor of Dunwich--nay, I'll think that matter over and instruct youfurther. Hugh de Cressi, you have our thanks, and if you go on as youhave begun you shall have more ere long, for I need such men about me. You also, strange and death-like man named Grey Dick, shall not lackour favour if it proves that you can shoot but half as well as you haveboasted, and, unless you lie, both of you, as it seems that you havedone. And now to supper, though in truth this news does not kindleappetite. Son, see that this gentleman is well served, and that nonemock him more about the fashion of his armour, above all Sir Ambrose, for I'll not suffer it. Plate and damascene do not make a man, and this, it seems, was borrowed from as brave, ay, and as learned, a knight asever bestrode a horse in war. Come, Lady, " and taking the Queen by thehand, he left the chamber. 

That evening Hugh ate his food seated among the knights of the Householdat a high table in the great hall, at the head of which, for the Kingsupped in private, was placed the young Prince Edward. He noted that nownone laughed at him about the fashion of his mail or his country ways. Indeed, when after supper Sir Ambrose Lacey came to him and asked hispardon for the talk that he had used to him in the Windsor street--hewas sure that some word had been sent round that his business hadbrought him favour with the King and that he must be treated with allcourtesy. Several of those who sat round him tried to discover what thatbusiness was. But of this he would say nothing, parrying their questionswith others about the wars in France, and listening with open ears tothe tales of great deeds done there. 

"Ah, would that I could see such things!" he said. 

To which one of them answered:

"Well, why not? There'll be chance enough ere long, and many of us wouldbe glad of a square built like you. "

Now, at lower tables, in that vast hall, Hugh's servants, and with themGrey Dick, sat among the men-at-arms of the King's Guard, who were allchosen for their courage, and skill in archery. These soldiers, notingthe strange-faced, ashen-haired fellow who ate with his bow resting onthe bench beside him, inquired about him from the other Dunwich men, andsoon heard enough to cause them to open their eyes. When the ale had gothold of them they opened their mouths also, and, crowding round Dick, asked if it were true that he could shoot well. 

"As well as another, " he answered, and would say no more. 

Then they looked at his bow, and saw that it was old-fashioned, like hismaster's mail, and of some foreign make and wood, but a mighty weaponsuch as few could handle and hold straight. Lastly, they began tochallenge him to a match upon the morrow, to which he answered, who alsohad been drinking ale and was growing angry, that he'd give the best ofthem five points in fifty. 

Now they mocked, for among them were some famous archers, and asked atwhat range. 

"At any ye will, " answered Grey Dick, "from twelve score yards down toone score yards. Now trouble me no longer, who if I must shoot to-morrowwould sleep first and drink no more of your strong ale that breeds badhumours in one reared upon dyke water. "

Then, seizing his bow, he glided away in his curious stoat-like fashionto the hole where he had been shown that he should sleep. 

"A braggart!" said one. 

"I am not so sure, " answered a grizzled captain of archers, who hadfought in many wars. "Braggarts make a noise, but this fellow only spokewhen we squeezed him and perhaps what came out of those thin lips wastruth. At least, from his look I'd sooner not find him against me bow tobow. "

Then they fell to betting which of them would beat Grey Dick by theheaviest points. 

Next morning about nine o'clock the King sent a messenger to Hugh, bidding him and his servant Richard wait upon them. They went withthis messenger, who led them to a little chamber, where his Grace sat, attended only by the clerk, Brother Peter, and a dark-browed minister, whose name he never learned. 

"Hugh de Cressi and Richard Archer, " said Edward, motioning to theminister to hand Hugh a parchment to which hung a great seal, "here isthe pardon which I promised you. No need to stay to read it, since itis as wide as Windsor Keep, and woe betide him who lifts hand againsteither of you for aught you may have done or left undone in the pastcontrary to the laws of our realm. Yet remember well that this graceruns not to the future. Now that matter is ended, and we come to onethat is greater. Because of the faith put in you by our loyal andbeloved subject, Sir Andrew Arnold, your godsire, and because we likethe fashion of you, Hugh de Cressi, and hold you brave and honest, ithas pleased us to give you a commission under which we direct the Mayorof Dunwich and all true and lawful men of that town and hundred to aidyou in the taking or, if need be, in the slaying of our subject, SirEdmund Acour, Count of Noyon and Seigneur of Cattrina. We command you tobring this man before us alive or dead, that his cause may be judgedof our courts and the truth of the matter alleged against him by theReverend Father Sir Andrew Arnold therein determined. Nevertheless, wecommand you not to wound or kill the said knight unless he resists theauthority of us by you conveyed and you cannot otherwise hold himsafe from escaping from out this our realm. This commission you willpresently go forth to execute, keeping its tenor and your aim secretuntil the moment comes to strike, and, as you perform your duty, ofwhich you will return and make report to us, so shall we judge andreward you. Do you understand?"

"Sire, " answered Hugh, bowing, "I understand, and I will obey to my lastbreath. "

"Good! When the parchments are engrossed my officer here will read themto you and explain aught that may need it. Meanwhile, we have an hour ortwo during which your horses can eat, for there are no fresh beasts hereto give you, and it is best, to avoid doubts, that you should return asyou came, only showing your powers if any should attempt to arrestyou. So let us have done with these heavy matters, and disport us fora while. This servant of yours has made a common boast that he willoutshoot any of our picked archers, and now we are ready to go forthand put him to the proof of the butts. Let him know, however, that, notwithstanding our words of yesterday, we shall not hold him to blameif he fails, since many a man of higher degree promises more at nightthan he can perform in the morning. "

"Sire, I'll do my best. I can no more, " said Grey Dick. "Only I praythat none may be suffered to hang about or pester me at the butts, sinceI am a lonely man who love not company when I use my art. "

"That shall be so, " said the King. "And now to the sport. "

"The sport!" grumbled Grey Dick, when he and Hugh were alone together. "Why, it is other sport we should be seeking, with Acour and his knavesfor targets. Go to the King, master, and show him that while we lingerhere the Frenchman may slip away, or work more and worse treasons. "

"I cannot, Dick; the parchments are not written out, and his Graceis bent upon this pleasure match. Moreover, man, all these archershere--yes, and their betters also--would say that you had fled becauseyou were an empty boaster who dared not face the trial. "

"They'd say that, would they?" snarled Grey Dick. "Yes, they'd say that, which would be bitter hearing for you and me. Well, they shall not sayit. Yet I tell you, master, " he added in a burst of words, "althoughI know not why, I'd rather bear their scorn and be away on the road toDunwich. "

"It may not be, Dick, " replied Hugh, shaking his head doubtfully. "See, here they come to fetch us. "

In a glade of the forest of Windsor situated near to the castle andmeasuring some twenty-five score yards of open level ground, stoodGrey Dick, a strange, uncouth figure, at whom the archers of the guardlaughed, nudging each other. In his bony hand, however, he held thatat which they did not laugh, namely, the great black bow, six feetsix inches long, which he said had come to him "from the sea, " and wasfashioned, not of yew, but of some heavy, close-grained wood, grownperhaps in Southern or even in far Eastern lands. Still, one of them, who had tried to draw this bow to his ear and could not, said aloud that"the Suffolk man would do naught with that clumsy pole. " Whereat, GreyDick, who heard him, grinning, showing his white teeth like an angrydog. 

Near by, on horseback and on foot, were the King, the young PrinceEdward, and many knights and ladies; while on the other side stoodscores of soldiers and other folk from the castle, who came to see thisugly fellow well beaten at his own game. 

"Dick, " whispered Hugh, "shoot now as you never shot before. Teach thema lesson for the honour of Suffolk. "

"Let me be, master, " he grumbled. "I told you I would do my best. "

Then he sat himself down on the grass and began to examine his arrowsone by one, to all appearance taking no heed of anything else. 

Presently came the first test. At a distance of five score yards wasset a little "clout, " or target, of white wood, not more than two feetsquare. This clout had a red mark, or eye, three inches across, paintedin its centre, and stood not very high above the sward. 

"Now, Richard, " said the King, "three of the best archers that we haveabout us have been chosen to shoot against you and each other by theirfellows. Say, will you draw first or last?"

"Last, Sire, " he answered, "that I may know their mettle. "

Then a man stepped forward, a strong and gallant looking fellow, andloosed his three arrows. The first missed the clout, the second piercedthe white wood, and the third hit the red eye. 

The clout having been changed, and the old one brought to the King withthe arrows in it, the second man took his turn. This time all threeof the arrows hit the mark, one of them being in the red. Again itwas changed, and forth came the great archer of the guard, a tall andclear-eyed man named Jack Green, and whom, it was said, none had everbeaten. He drew, and the arrow went home in the red on its left edge. He drew again, and the arrow went home in the red on its right edge. Hedrew a third time, and the arrow went home straight in the very centreof the red, where was a little black spot. 

Now a great laugh went up, since clearly the Suffolk man was beaten ereever he began. 

"Your Dick may do as well; he can do no better, " said the King, when thetarget was brought to him. 

Grey Dick looked at it. 

"A boon, your Grace, " said Dick. "Grant that this clout may be set upagain with the arrows fast. Any may know them from mine since they aregrey, whereas those I make are black, for I am a fletcher in my sparehours, and love my own handiwork. "

"So be it, " said the King, wondering; and the clout was replaced uponits stand. 

Now Grey Dick stretched himself, looked at the clout, looked at his bow, and set a black-winged arrow on the string. Then he drew, it seemed butlightly and carelessly, as though he thought the distance small. Awayflew the shaft, and sank into the red a good inch within the leftmostarrow of Jack Green. 

"Ah, " said the onlookers, "a lucky shot indeed!"

Again he drew, and again the arrow sank into the red, a good inch withinthe rightmost shot of Jack Green. 

"Oh!" said the onlookers, "this man is an archer; but Jack's last hecannot best, let the devil help him how he will. "

"In the devil's name, then, be silent!" wheezed Grey Dick, with a flashof his half-opened eye. 

"Ay, be silent--be silent!" said the King. "We do not see such shootingevery day. "

Now Dick set his foot apart and, arrow on string, thrice he lifted hisbow and thrice let it sink again, perhaps because he felt some breathof wind stir the still air. A fourth time he lifted, and drew, not as hehad before, but straight to the ear, then loosed at once. 

Away rushed the yard-long shaft, and folk noted that it scarcely seemedto rise as arrows do, or at least not half so high. It rushed, it smote, and there was silence, for none could see exactly what had happened. Then he who stood near the target to mark ran forward, and screamed out:

"By God's name, he has shattered Jack Green's centre arrow, and shot_clean through the clout!_"

Then from all sides rose the old archer cry, "_He, He! He, He!_" whilethe young Prince threw his cap on high, and the King said:

"Would that there were more such men as this in England! Jack Green, itseems that you are beaten. "

"Nay, " said Grey Dick, seating himself again upon the grass, "there isnaught to choose between us in this round. What next, your Grace?"

Only Hugh, who watched him, saw the big veins swell beneath the paleskin of his forehead, as they ever did when he was moved. 

"The war game, " said the King; "that is, if you will, for here roughknocks may be going. Set it out, one of you. "

Then a captain of the archers explained this sport. In short it wasthat man should stand against man clad in leather jerkins, and wearinga vizor to protect the face, and shoot at each other with blunt arrowsrubbed with chalk, he who first took what would have been a mortal woundto be held worsted. 

"I like not blunted arrows, " said Grey Dick; "or, for the matter ofthat, any other arrows save my own. Against how many must I play? Thethree?"

The captain nodded. 

"Then, by your leave, I will take them all at once. "

Now some said that this was not fair, but in the end Dick won his point, and those archers whom he had beaten, among them Jack Green, were placedagainst him, standing five yards apart, and blunted arrows served outto all. Dick set one of them on the string, and laid the two others infront of them. Then a knight rode to halfway between them, but a littleto one side, and shouted: "Loose!"

As the word struck his ear Dick shot with wonderful swiftness, andalmost as the arrow left the bow flung himself down, grasping anotheras he fell. Next instant, three shafts whistled over where he had stood. But his found its mark on the body of him at whom he had aimed, causingthe man to stagger backward and throw down his bow, as he was bound todo, if hit. 

Next instant Dick was up again and his second arrow flew, striking fulland fair before ever he at whom it was aimed had drawn. 

Now there remained Jack Green alone, and, as Dick set the third arrow, but before he could draw, Jack Green shot. 

"Beat!" said Dick, and stood quite still. 

At him rushed the swift shaft, and passed over his shoulder within ahairbreadth of his ear. Then came Dick's turn. On Jack Green's cap wasan archer's plume. 

"Mark the plume, lords, " he said, and lo! the feather leapt from thatcap. 

Now there was silence. No one spoke, but Dick drew out three morearrows. 

"Tell me, captain, " he said, "is your ground marked out in scores; andwhat is the farthest that any one of you has sent a flighting shot?"

"Ay, " answered the officer, "and twenty score and one yard is thefarthest, nor has that been done for many a day. "

Dick steadied himself, and seemed to fill his lungs with air. Then, stretching his long arms to the full, he drew the great bow till thehorns looked as though they came quite close together, and loosed. Highand far flew that shaft; men's eyes could scarcely follow it, and allmust wait long before a man came running to say where it had fallen. 

"Twenty score and two yards!" he cried. 

"Not much to win by, " grunted Dick, "though enough. I have done twentyand one score once, but that was somewhat downhill. "

Then, while the silence still reigned, he set the second arrow on thestring, and waited, as though he knew not what to do. Presently, aboutfifty paces from him, a wood dove flew from out a tree and, as suchbirds do at the first breath of spring, for the day was mild and sunny, hovered a moment in the air ere it dipped toward a great fir wheredoubtless it had built for years. Never, poor fowl, was it destined tobuild again, for as it turned its beak downward Dick's shaft pierced itthrough and through and bore it onward to the earth. 

Still in the midst of a great silence, Dick took up his quiver andemptied it on the ground, then gave it to the captain of the archers, saying:

"And you will, step sixty, nay, seventy paces, and set this mouth upwardin the grass where a man may see it well. "

The captain did so, propping the quiver straight with stones and abit of wood. Then, having studied all things with his eyes, Dick shotupward, but softly. Making a gentle curve, the arrow turned in the airas it drew near the quiver, and fell into its mouth, striking it flat. 

"Ill done, " grumbled Dick; "had I shot well, it should have been pinnedto earth. Well, yon shadow baulked me, and it might have been worse. "

Then he unstrung his bow, and slipped it into its case. 

Now, at length, the silence was broken, and in good earnest. Men, especially those of Dunwich, screamed and shouted, hurling up theircaps. Jack Green, for all jealousy was forgotten at the sight of thiswondrous skill, ran to Dick, clasped him in his arms, and, dragging thebadge from off his breast, tried to pin it to his rough doublet. Theyoung Prince came and clapped him on the shoulder, saying:

"Be my man! Be my man!"

But Dick only growled, "Paws off! What have I done that I have not donea score of times before with no fine folk to watch me? I shot to pleasemy master and for the honour of Suffolk, not for you, and because somedogs keep their tails too tightly curled. "

"A sulky fellow, " said the Prince, "but, by heaven, I like him!"

Then the King pushed his horse through the throng, and all fell backbefore his Grace. 

"Richard Archer, " he said, "never has such marksmanship as yoursbeen seen in England since we sat upon the throne, nor shall it gounrewarded. The twenty angels that you said you would stake last nightshall be paid to you by the treasurer of our household. Moreover, hereis a gift from Edward of England, the friend of archers, that you may bepleased to wear, " and taking his velvet cap from off his head, the Kingunpinned from it a golden arrow of which the barbed head was cut from aruby, and gave it to him. 

"I thank you, Sire, " said Dick, his pale skin flushing with pride andpleasure. "I'll wear it while I live, and may the sight of it mean deathto many of your enemies. "

"Without doubt it will, and that ere long, Richard, for know you thatsoon we sail again for France, whence the tempest held us back, and itis my pleasure that you sail with us. Therefore I name you one of ourfletchers, with place about our person in our bodyguard of archers. JackGreen will show you your quarters, and instruct you in your duties, andsoon you shall match your skill against his again, but next time withFrenchmen for your targets. "

"Sire, " said Dick, very slowly, "take back your arrow, for I cannot doas you will. "

"Why, man? Are you a Frenchman?" asked the King, angrily, for he was notwont to have his favours thus refused. 

"My mother never told me so, Sire, although I don't know for certain whomy father may have been. Still, I think not, since I hate the sightof that breed as a farmer's dog hates rats. But, Sire, I have a goodmaster, and do not wish to change him for one who, saving your presence, may prove a worse, since King's favour on Monday has been known to meanKing's halter on Tuesday. Did you not promise to whip me round yourwalls last night unless I shot as well as I thought I could, and now doyou not change your face and give me golden arrows?"

At these bold words a roar of laughter went up from all who heard them, in which the King himself joined heartily enough. 

"Silence!" he cried presently. "This yeoman's tongue is as sharp as hisshafts. I am pierced. Let us hear whom he will hit next. "

"You again, Sire, I think, " went on Dick, "because, after the fashion ofkings, you are unjust. You praise me for my shooting, whereas you shouldpraise God, seeing that it is no merit of mine, but a gift He gave me atmy birth in place of much which He withheld. Moreover, my master there, "and he pointed to Hugh, "who has just done you better service thanhitting a clout in the red and a dow beneath the wing, you forgetaltogether, though I tell you he can shoot almost as well as I, for Itaught him. "

"Dick, Dick!" broke in Hugh in an agony of shame. Taking no heed, Dickwent on imperturbably: "And is the best man with a sword in Suffolk, asthe ghost of John Clavering knows to-day. Lastly, Sire, you send thismaster of mine upon a certain business where straight arrows may bewanted as well as sharp swords, and yet you'd keep me here whittlingthem out of ashwood, who, if I could have had my will, would have beenon the road these two hours gone. Is that a king's wisdom?"

"By St. George!" exclaimed Edward, "I think that I should make youcouncillor as well as fletcher, since without doubt, man, you have abitter wit, and, what is more rare, do not fear to speak the truth asyou see it. Moreover, in this matter, you see it well. Go with Hugh deCressi on the business which I have given him to do, and, when it isfinished, should both or either of you live, neglect not our commandto rejoin us here, or--if we have crossed the sea--in France. Edward ofEngland needs the service of such a sword and such a bow. "

"You shall have them both, Sire, " broke in Hugh, "for what they areworth. Moreover, I pray your Grace be not angry with Grey Dick's words, for if God gave him a quick eye, He also gave him a rough tongue. "

"Not I, Hugh de Cressi, for know, we love what is rough if it be alsohonest. It is smooth, false words of treachery that we hate, such wordsas are ever on the lips of one whom we send you forth to bring to hisaccount. Now to your duty. Farewell till we meet again, whether it behere or where all men, true or traitors, must foot their bill at last. "

CHAPTER VI

THE SNARE

About noon of the day on which Hugh and his company had ridden forLondon, another company entered Dunwich--namely, Sir John Clavering andmany of his folk, though with him were neither Sir Edmund Acour nor anyof his French train. Sir John's temper had never been of the best, forhe was a man who, whatever his prosperity, found life hard and made itharder for all those about him. But seldom had he been angrier than hewas this day, when his rage was mingled with real sorrow for the loss ofhis only son, slain in a fight brought about by the daughter of one ofthem and the sister of the other and urged for honour's sake by himself, the father of them both. 

Moreover, the marriage on which he had set his heart between Eve and theglittering French lord whose future seemed so great had been brought tonaught, and this turbulent, hot-hearted Eve had fled into sanctuary. Herlover, too, the youngest son of a merchant, had ridden away to London, doubtless upon some mission which boded no good to him or his, leavinga blood feud behind him between the wealthy de Cressis and all theClavering kin. 

There was but one drop of comfort in his cup. By now, as he hoped, Hughand his death's-head, Grey Dick, a spawn of Satan that all the countryfeared, and who, men said, was a de Cressi bastard by a witch, weresurely slain or taken by those who followed upon their heels. 

Sir John rode to the Preceptory and hammered fiercely on its oaken door. Presently it was opened by Sir Andrew Arnold himself, who stood in theentrance, grey and grim, a long sword girt about his loins and armourgleaming beneath his monkish robe. 

"What would you, Sir John Clavering, that you knock at this holy housethus rudely?" he asked. 

"My daughter, priest, who, they say, has sheltered here. "

"They say well, knight, she has sheltered here beneath the wings of St. Mary and St. John. Begone and leave her in peace. "

"I make no more of such wings than if they were those of farmyardgeese, " roared the furious man. "Bring her or I will pluck her forth. "

"Do so, " replied Sir Andrew, "if you live to pass this consecratedsword, " and he laid his hand upon its hilt. "Take with her also thecurse of the Mother of God, and His beloved Apostle, and that of thewhole Church of Christ, by me declared upon your head in this world andupon your soul in the world to come. Man, this is sanctuary, and if youdare to set foot within it in violence, may your body perish and yoursoul scorch everlastingly in the fires of hell. And you, " he added, raising his voice till it rang like a trumpet, addressing the followersof Sir John, "on you also let the curse of excommunication fall. Nowslay me and enter if you will, but then every drop of blood in theseveins shall find a separate tongue and cry out for vengeance on youbefore the judgment seat of God, where presently I summon you to meetme. "

Then he crossed himself, drew the great sword, and, holding it in hisleft hand, stretched out his right toward them in malediction. 

The Clavering men heard and saw. They looked at each other, and, asthough by common consent, turned and rode away, crossing themselvesalso. In truth, they had no stomach for the curse of the Church when itwas thundered forth from the lips of such a monk as Sir Andrew Arnold, who, they knew well, had been one of the greatest and holiest warriorsof his generation, and, so said rumour, was a white wizard to boot withall the magic of the East at his command. 

"Your men have gone, Sir John, " said the old priest; "will you followthem or will you enter?"

Now fear drove out the knight's rage and he spoke in another voice. 

"Sir Andrew, why do you bring all these wrongs upon me? My boy is deadat the hand of Hugh de Cressi, your godson, and he has robbed me of mydaughter, whom I have affianced to a better and a nobler man. Now yougive her sanctuary and threaten me with the curse of the Church becauseI would claim her, my own flesh and blood; ay, and my heiress tooto-day. Tell me, as one man to another, why do you do these things?"

"And tell me, Sir John Clavering, why for the sake of pelf and ofhonours that you will never harvest do you seek to part those who loveeach other and whom God has willed to bring together? Why would you sellyour child to a gilded knave whom she hates? Nay, stop me not. I'd callhim that and more to his face and none have ever known me lie. Why didyou suffer this Frenchman or your dead son, or both of them, to tryto burn out Hugh de Cressi and Red Eve as though they were rats inrubbish?"

"Would you know, Father? Then I'll tell you. Because I wish to seemy daughter set high among lords and princes and not the wife of amerchant's lad, who by law may wear cloth only and rabbit fur. Because, also, I hate him and all his kin, and if this is true of yesterday, howmuch more true is it now that he has killed my son, and by the arrows ofthat wolf-man who dogs his heels, slain my guests and my grieve. Thinknot I'll rest till I have vengeance of him and all his cursed House. I'll appeal to the King, and if he will not give me justice I'll take itfor myself. Ay, though you are old, I tell you you shall live to see thede Cressi vault crowded with the de Cressi dead. "

Sir Andrew hid his eyes for a moment with his hand, then let it fall andspoke in a changed voice. 

"It comes upon me that you speak truth, Sir John, for since I met acertain great Master in the East, at times I have a gift of foresight. I think that much sorrow draws near this land; ay, and others. I thinkthat many vaults and many churchyards, too, will ere long be filled withdead; also that the tomb of the Claverings at Blythburgh will soon beopened. Mayhap the end of this world draws near to all men, as surelyit draws near to you and me. I know not--yet truth was in your lips justnow, and in mine as well, I think. Oh, man, man!" he went on after apause, "appeal not unto the world's Cæsar lest Cæsar render differentjudgment to that which you desire. Get you home, and on your kneesappeal unto God to forgive you your proud, vengeance-seeking heart. Sickness draws near to you; death draws near to you, and after death, hell--or heaven. I have finished. "

As he heard these words Sir John's swarthy face grew pale and for alittle while his rage died down. Then it flared up again. 

"Don't dream to frighten me with your spells, old wizard, " he said. "I'm a hale man yet, though I do lose my breath at times when my mind isvexed with wrongs, and I'll square my own account with God without yourhelp or counsel. So you'll not give me my daughter?"

"Nay, here she bides in sanctuary for so long as it shall please her. "

"Does she in truth? Perhaps you married her to this merchant fellow erehe rode this morning. "

"Nay, Sir John, they betrothed themselves before the altar and inpresence of his kin, no more. Moreover, if you would know, because ofyour son's blood which runs between them I, after thought and prayer, speaking in the name of the Church, swore them to this penance--that fora year from yesterday they should not wed nor play the part of lovers. "

"I thank you, priest, for this small grace, " answered Sir John, witha bitter laugh, "and in my turn I swear this, that after the year theyshall not wed, since the one of them will be clay and the other the wifeof the man whom I have chosen. Now, play no tricks on me, lest I burnthis sanctuary of yours about your head and throw your old carcass toroast among the flames. "

Sir Andrew made no reply, only, resting his long sword on the threshold, he leant upon its hilt, and fixed his clear grey eyes upon Clavering'sface. What Sir John saw in those eyes he never told, but it wassomething which scared him. At least that shortening of the breath ofwhich he had spoken seemed to take a hold of him, for he swayed upon hishorse as though he were about to fall, then, recovering, turned and rodestraight for Blythburgh. 

It was the second night after that day when Sir Andrew had looked JohnClavering in the eyes. 

Secretly and in darkness those three whom Grey Dick had killed wereborne into the nave of Blythburgh church and there laid in the gravewhich had been made ready for them. Till now their corpses had been keptabove ground in the hope that the body of John Clavering the youngermight be added to their number. But search as they would upon seashoreand river-bank, nothing of him was ever seen again. This funeral wascelebrated in the darkness, since neither Sir John nor Acour desiredthat all men should see three bodies that had been slain by one archer, aided by a merchant's lad, standing alone against a score, and know, tosay naught of the wounded, that there was yet another to be added tothe tale. Therefore they interred them by night with no notice of theceremony. 

It was a melancholy scene. The nave of the great church, lighted onlywith the torches borne by the six monks of the black Augustines from theneighbouring priory of St. Osyth; the candles, little stars of light, burning far away upon the altar; the bearers of the household of theClaverings and the uncoffined corpses lying on their biers by the edgeof the yawning graves; the mourners in their mail; the low voice of thecelebrating priest, a Frenchman, Father Nicholas, chaplain to Acour, whohurried through the Latin service as though he wished to be done withit; the deep shadows of the groined roof whereon the rain pattered--suchwere the features of this interment. It was done at last, and the poordead, but a few days before so full of vigour and of passion, were leftto their last sleep in the unremembered grave. Then the mourners marchedback to the manor across the Middle Marsh and sought their beds in a sadsilence. 

Shortly after daybreak they were called from them again by the news thatthose who had followed Hugh de Cressi had returned. Quickly they rose, thinking that these came back with tidings of accomplished vengeance, tofind themselves face to face with seven starved and miserable men who, all their horses being dead, had walked hither from Dunwich. 

The wretched story was learned at length, and then followed that violentscene, which has been told already, when Acour cursed his followers ascowards, and Clavering, sobered perhaps by the sadness of the midnightburial or by the memory of Arnold's words, reproved him. Lastly, stungby the taunts that were heaped upon them, Sir Pierre de la Roche gaveHugh's message--that if they lifted hand against his love or his Househe would kill them like ravening wolves, "which I think he certainlywill do, for none can conquer him and his henchman, " he added shortly. 

Then Sir John's rage flared up again like fire when fresh fuel is thrownon ashes. He cursed Hugh and Grey Dick; he cursed his daughter; he evencursed Acour and asked for the second time how it came about that he whohad brought all this trouble on him was given the evil name of traitor. 

"I know not, " answered Sir Edmund fiercely, and laying his hand upon hissword, "but this I know, that you or any man will do well not to repeatit if you value life. "

"Do you threaten me?" asked Sir John. "Because, if so, you will do wellto begone out of this house of shame and woe lest you be borne out feetfirst. Nay, nay, I forgot, " he added slowly, clasping his head in hishands, "you are my daughter's affianced, are you not, and will giveher high place and many famous titles, and her son shall be calledClavering, that the old name may not die but be great in England, inFrance, and in Italy. You must bide to marry her, lest that cuckoo, Hughde Cressi, that cuckoo with the sharp bill, should creep into my nest. I'll not be worsted by a stripling clad in merchant's cloth who slewmy only son. Take not my words ill, noble Noyon, for I am overdone withgrief for the past and fear for the future. You must bide to marry herby fair means or by foul. Draw her from the sanctuary and marry herwhether she say you yea or nay. You have my leave, noble Noyon, " and sospeaking he swayed and fell prone upon the floor. 

At first they thought that he was dead. But the chaplain, Nicholas, whowas a leech, bled him, and he came to himself again, although he stillwandered in his talk and lay abed. 

Then Acour and Nicholas took counsel together. 

"What is to be done?" said Sir Edmund, "for I am on fire for this maid, and all her scorn and hate do but fan my flame. Moreover, she is nowvery rich, for that old hot-head cannot live long. His violenthumours will kill him, and, as you know, Father, although I have greatpossessions, my costs are large and I have still greater debts. Lastly, shall de Noyon and his knights be worsted by a wool-merchant's youngerson, a mere 'prentice lad, and his henchman, a common archer of thefens? Show me how to get her, Nicholas, and I'll make an abbot of youyet. This sanctuary, now? will it hold? If we stormed the place and tookher, would the Holy Father give us absolution, do you think?"

"No, my lord, " answered the fox-faced Nicholas. "The Church is greatbecause the Church is one, and what the priest does the Pope upholds, especially when that priest is no mean man. This holy monk, Sir AndrewArnold, has reputation throughout Europe, and, though he seems sohumble, because of his wisdom is in the counsel of many great men whosefathers or grandfathers were guided by him long ago. Commit whatcrime you will, dip yourself to the lips in blood, and you may findforgiveness, but touch not an ancient and acknowledged sanctuary of theChurch, since for this offence there will be none. "

"What then, Nicholas? Must I give up the chase and fly? To speak truth, things seem to threaten me. Why has that Hugh twice called me traitor?Have any of my letters fallen into strange hands, think you? I havewritten several, and you know my mission here. "

"It is possible, lord; all things are possible, but I think not. I thinkthat he only draws the bow at a hazard, which is more than Grey Dickdoes, " he added with a chuckle. "These brute English hate us French, whom they know to be their masters in all that makes a man, and traitorto their fool king is the least of the words they throw at us. "

"Well, priest, my mother was English, as my wife will be. Therefore stayyour tongue on that matter and tell me how I am to make her my wife, "answered Acour haughtily. 

The chaplain cringed and bowed, rubbing his thin hands together. 

"I thought you wished to speak of the English, my lord, otherwise Ishould not have ventured--but as to the lady Eve, something comes to me. Why does she stay in sanctuary who herself has committed no crime? Is itnot, such is her madness, because she would be out of reach of you andyour endearments? Now if she believed you gone far enough away, let ussay to France, and knew that her father lay ill, why then----" and hepaused. 

"You mean that she might come out of sanctuary of her own accord?"

"Yes, lord, and we might set a springe to catch this bird so rare andshy, and though she'd flutter, flutter, flutter, and peck, peck, peck, what could she do when you smoothed her plumage with your loving hand, and a priest was waiting to say the word that should cause her to forgether doubts and that merchant bumpkin?"

"Ah, Nicholas, you have a good wit, and if all goes well you shallcertainly be an abbot. But would her father, do you think----"

"Lord, that beef-eating knight is in such a rage that he would doanything. What did he say just before the stroke took him? That you wereto marry her by fair means or by foul. Yes, and he told me an hour agothat if only he knew she was your wife, he would die happy. Oh, you havehis warrant for anything you do to bring about this end. Still there isno need to tell him too much lest it should cause his good name to beaspersed by the vulgar. Many, it seems, love this Red Eve for her highspirit, and are friends to the de Cressis, an open-handed race who knowhow to bind folk to them. Listen how it must be done. "

That day it was given out that Sir Edmund Acour, those of his knightswho remained alive and all his following were about to leave for Londonand lay their cause before the King, having learned that Hugh de Cressihad gone thither to prejudice his Grace on his own behalf. It was added, moreover, that they would not return to Suffolk, but proposed whenthey had found justice or the promise of it, to take ship at Dover forFrance. Next morning, accordingly, they rode away from Blythburgh Manorand passed through Dunwich with much pomp, where the citizens of thattown, who were friends of the de Cressis, stared at them with no kindeyes. Indeed, one of these as they crossed the market-place called tothem to be careful not to meet Hugh de Cressi and Grey Dick upon theirjourney, lest there should be more midnight burials and men-at-armsturned into foot-soldiers, whereat all about him laughed rudely. 

But Acour did not laugh. He ground his teeth and said into the ear ofNicholas:

"Register this vow for me, priest, that in payment for that jest I'llsack and burn Dunwich when our army comes, and give its men and childrento the sword and its women to the soldiers. "

"It shall be done, lord, " answered the chaplain, "and should your heartsoften at the appointed time I'll put you in memory of this solemnoath. "

At the great house of the Mayor of Dunwich Sir Edmund drew rein anddemanded to see him. Presently this Mayor, a timid, uncertain-lookingman, came in his robes of office and asked anxiously what might be thecause of this message and why an armed band halted at his gate. 

"For no ill purpose, sir, " answered Acour, "though little of justicehave I found at your hands, who, therefore, must seek it at the Court ofmy liege lord, King Edward. All I ask of you is that you will cause thisletter to be delivered safely to the lady Eve Clavering, who lies insanctuary at the Preceptory of St. Mary and St. John. It is one offarewell, since it seems that this lady who, by her own will and herfather's, was my affianced, wishes to break troth, and I am not a manwho needs an unwilling bride. I'd deliver it myself only that old knave, half priest and half knight, but neither good----"

"You'd best speak no ill of Sir Andrew Arnold here, " said a voice in thecrowd. 

"Only the master of the Preceptory, " went on Acour, changing his tonesomewhat, "might take fright and think I wished to violate his sanctuaryif I came there with thirty spears at my back. "

"And no fool either, " said the voice, "seeing that they are Frenchspears and his is an English sanctuary. "

"Therefore, " continued Acour, "I pray you, deliver the letter. Perchancewhen we meet again, Master Mayor, " he added with a venomous glance ofhis dark eyes, "you will have some boon to ask of me, and be sure I'llgrant it--if I can. "

Then without waiting for an answer, for the mob of sturdy fishermen, many of whom had served in the French wars, looked threatening, heand his following rode away through the Ipswich gate and out on to themoorlands beyond, which some of them knew but too well. 

All the rest of that day they rode slowly, but when night came, havinghalted their horses at a farm and given it out that they meant to pushon to Woodbridge, they turned up a by-track on the lonely heath, and, unseen by any, made their through the darkness to a certain empty housein the marshes not far from Beccles town. This house, called Frog Hall, was part of Acour's estate, and because of the ague prevalent there inautumn, had been long unattended. Nor did any visit it at this season ofthe year, when no cattle grazed upon these salt marshes. 

Here, then, he and his people lay hid, cursing their fortunes, since, notwithstanding the provisions that they had conveyed thither in secret, the place was icy cold in the bitter, easterly winds which tore overit from the sea. So lonely was it, also, that the Frenchmen swore thattheir comrades slain by Grey Dick haunted them at nights, bidding themprepare to join the number of the dead. Indeed, had not Acour vowed thathe would hang the first man who attempted to desert, some of them wouldhave left him to make the best of their way back to France. For alwaysas they crouched by the smoking hearth they dreamed of Grey Dick and histerrible arrows. 

Sir Edmund Acour's letter came safely into the hands of Eve, brought toher by the Mayor himself. It read thus:

Lady, You will no more of me, so however much you should live to ask it, Iwill have no more of you. I go hang your merchant lout, and afterwardaway to France, who wish to have done with your cold Suffolk, where youmay buy my lands cheap if you will. Yet, should Master Hugh de Cressichance to escape me, I counsel you to marry him, for I can wish you noworse fate, seeing what you will be, than to remember what you mighthave been. Meanwhile it is my duty as a Christian to tell you, in caseyou should desire to speak to him ere it be too late, that your fatherlies at the point of death from a sickness brought on by his grief atthe slaying of his son and your cruel desertion of him, and calls foryou in his ravings. May God forgive you, as I try to do, all the evilthat you have wrought, which, perhaps, is not done with yet. Unless Fateshould bring us together again, for as aught I know it may, I bid youfarewell forever. Would that I had never seen your face, but well areyou named Red Eve, who, like the false Helen in a story you have neverheard, were born to bring brave men to their deaths. Again farewell, De Noyon. 

"Who is this Helen?" asked Eve of Sir Andrew when the letter had beenread. 

"A fair Grecian, daughter, over whom nations fought when the world wasyoung, because of her beauty. "

"Ah, well! she did not make herself beautiful, did she? and, perchance, was more sinned against than sinning, since women, having but one lifeto live, must follow their own hearts. But this Helen has been deada long while, so let her rest, if rest she may. And now it seems thatAcour is away and that my father lies very sick. What shall I do? Returnto him?"

"First I will make sure that the Frenchman has gone, and then we willsee, daughter. "

So Sir Andrew sent out messengers who reported it to be true that Acourhad ridden straight to London to see the King and then sail for Dover. Also they said that no Frenchmen were left at Blythburgh save those whowould never leave the place again, and that Sir John Clavering lay sickin his bed at the manor. 

"God fights for us!" said Sir Andrew with a little laugh. "This Acour'sgreeting at Court may be warmer than he thinks and at the least you andDunwich are well rid of him. Though I had sooner that you stayed here, to-morrow, daughter, you shall ride to Blythburgh. Should your fatherdie, as I think he will ere long, it might grieve you in the after yearsto remember that you had bid him no farewell. If he recovers or is harshwith you it will be easy for you to seek sanctuary again. "

CHAPTER VII

THE LOVE PHILTRE

So it came about that on the morrow Eve and Sir Andrew, accompanied onlyby a single serving man, fearing no guile since it seemed certain thatthe Frenchmen were so far away, rode across the moor to Blythburgh. Atthe manor-house they found the drawbridge up. The watchman at the gatesaid also that his orders were to admit none, for the Frenchmen beinggone, there were but few to guard the place. 

"What, good fellow, " asked Eve, "not even the daughter of the house whohas heard that her father lies so sick?"

"Ay, he lies sick, lady, " the man replied, "but such are his orders. Yetif you will bide here a while, I'll go and learn his mind. "

So he went and returned presently, saying that Sir John commanded thathis daughter was to be admitted, but that if Sir Andrew attempted toenter he should be driven back by force. 

"Will you go in or will you return with me?" asked her companion of Eve. 

"God's truth!" she answered, "am I one to run away from my father, however bad his humour? I'll go in and set my case before him, forafter all he loves me in his own fashion and when he understands will, Ithink, relent. "

"Your heart is your best guide, daughter, and it would be an ill taskfor me to stand between sire and child. Enter then, for I am sure thatthe Saints and your own innocence will protect you from all harm. At theworst you can come or send to me for help. "

So they parted, and the bridge having been lowered, Eve walked boldlyto her father's sleeping chamber, where she was told he lay. As sheapproached the door she met several of the household leaving it withscared faces, who scarcely stayed to salute her. Among these were twoservants of her dead brother John, men whom she had never liked, and awoman, the wife of one of them, whom she liked least of all. 

Pushing open the door, which was shut behind her, she advanced towardSir John, who was not, as she had thought, in bed, but clad in a furredrobe and standing by the hearth, on which burnt a fire. He watched hercome, but said no word, and the look of him frightened her somewhat. 

"Father, " she said, "I heard that you were sick and alone----"

"Ay, " he broke in, "sick, very sick here, " and he laid his hand upon hisheart, "where grief strikes a man. Alone, too, since you and your fellowhave done my only son to death, murdered my guests, and caused them todepart from so bloody a house. "

Now Eve, who had come expecting to find her father at the point of deathand was prepared to plead with him, at these violent words took fire aswas her nature. 

"You know well that you speak what is not true, " she said. "You and yourFrenchmen strove to burn us out of Middle Marsh; my brother John struckHugh de Cressi as though he were a dog and used words toward him thatno knave would bear, let alone one better born than we are. Moreover, afterward once he spared his life, and Grey Dick, standing alone againsta crowd, did but use his skill to save us. Is it murder, then to protectour honour and to save ourselves from death? And am I wrong to refuse tomarry a fine French knave when I chance to love an honest man?"

"And, pray, am I your father, girl, that you dare to scold at me thus?"shouted Sir John, growing purple with wrath. "If I choose a husband foryou, by what right do you refuse him, saying that you love a Dunwichshop-boy? Down on your knees and beg my pardon, or you shall have thewhipping you have earned. "

Now Eve's black eyes glittered dangerously. 

"Ill would it go with any man who dared to lay a hand upon me, " shesaid, drawing herself up and grasping the dagger in her girdle. "Yes, very ill, even though he were my own father. Look at me and say am I oneto threaten? Ay, and before you answer bear in mind that there are thoseat my call who can strike hard, and that among them I think you'll findthe King of England. "

She paused. 

"What hellish plot is this that you hatch against me?" asked Sir John, with some note of doubt in his voice. "What have I to fear from my liegelord, the King of England?"

"Only, sir, that you consort with and would wed me to one who, althoughyou may not know it, has, I am told, much to fear from him, so much thatI wonder that he has ridden to seek his Grace's presence. Well, you areill and I am angered and together we are but as steel and flint, fromthe meeting of which comes fire that may burn us both. Therefore, sincebeing better than I thought, you need me not and have only cruel wordsfor greeting, I'll bid you farewell and get me back to those who arekindlier. God be with you, and give you your health again. "

"Ah!" said or rather snarled Sir John, "I thought as much and am readyfor the trick. You'd win back to sanctuary, would you, and the companyof that old wizard, Andrew Arnold, thence to make a mock of me? Well, not one step do you take upon that road while I live, " and pushing pasther he opened the door and shouted aloud. 

Apparently the men and woman whom Eve had met in the passage were stillwaiting there, for instantly they all reappeared. 

"Now, fellows, " said Sir John, "and you, Jane Mell, take this rebelliousgirl of mine to the chamber in the prisoners' tower, whence I thinkshe'll find it hard to fly to sanctuary. There lock her fast, feedingher with the bread and water of affliction to tame her proud spirit, andsuffering none to go near her save this woman, Jane Mell. Stay, giveme that bodkin which she wears lest she, who has learned bloody ways oflate, should do some of you or herself a mischief. "

As he spoke one of the men deftly snatched the dagger from Eve's girdleand handed it to Sir John who threw it into the farthest corner of theroom. Then he turned and said:

"Now, girl, will you go, or must you be dragged?"

She raised her head slowly and looked him in the eyes. Mad as he waswith passion there was something in her face that frightened him. 

"Can you be my father?" she said in a strained, quiet voice. "Oh! gladam I that my mother did not live to see this hour. "

Then she wheeled round and addressed the men. 

"Hearken, fellows. He who lays a finger on me, dies. Soon or lateassuredly he dies as he would not wish to die. Yes, even if you murderme, for I have friends who will learn the truth and pay back coin forcoin with interest a hundredfold. Now I'll go. Stand clear, knaves, and pray to God that never again may Red Eve cross the threshold ofher prison. Pray also that never again may you look on Hugh de Cressi'ssword or hear Grey Dick's arrows sing, or face the curse of old SirAndrew. "

So proud and commanding was her mien and so terrible the import of herwords, that these rough hinds shrank away from her and the woman hid herface in her hands. But Sir John thundered threats and oaths at them, sothat slowly and unwillingly they ringed Eve round. Then with head heldhigh she walked thence in the midst of them. 

The prisoners' chamber beneath the leads of the lofty tower was cold andunfurnished save for a stool and a truckle-bed. It had a great door ofoak locked and barred on the outer side, with a grille in it throughwhich the poor wretch within could be observed. There was no window, only high up beneath the ceiling were slits like loopholes that not achild could have passed. Such was the place to which Eve was led. 

Here they left her. At nightfall the door was opened and Jane Mellentered, bearing a loaf of bread and a jug of water, which she set downupon the floor. 

"Would you aught else?" she asked. 

"Ay, woman, " answered Eve, "my thick red woollen cloak from my chamber, and hood to match. Also water to wash me, for this place is cold andfoul, and I would die warm and clean. "

"First I must get leave from my lord your father, " said the woman in asurly voice. 

"Get it then and be swift, " said Eve, "or leave it ungotten; I carelittle. "

Mell went and within half an hour returned with the garments, the waterand some other things. Setting them down without a word she departed, locking and bolting the door behind her. 

While there remained a few rays of light to see by, Eve ate and drankheartily, for she needed food. Then having prayed according to hercustom, she laid herself down and slept as a child sleeps, for she wasvery strong of will and one who had always taught herself to make thebest of evil fortune. When she woke the daws were cawing around thetower and the sun shone through the loopholes. She rose refreshed andate the remainder of her bread, then combed her hair and dressed herselfas best she could. 

Two or three hours later the door was opened and her father entered. Glancing at him she saw that little sleep had visited him that night, for he looked old and very weary, so weary that she motioned to himto sit upon the stool. This he did, breathing heavily and mutteringsomething about the steepness of the tower stairs. Presently he spoke. 

"Eve, " he said, "is your proud spirit broken yet?"

"No, " she answered, "nor ever will be, living or dead! You may kill mybody, but my spirit is me, and that you will never kill. As God gave itso I will return it to Him again. "

He stared at her, with something of wonder and more of admiration in hislook. 

"Christ's truth, " he said, "how proud I could be of you, if only you'dlet me! I deem your courage comes from your mother, but she never hadyour shape and beauty. And now you are the only one left, and you hateme with all your proud heart, you, the heiress of the Claverings!"

"Whose estate is this, " she answered, pointing to the bare stone walls. "Think you, my father, that such treatment as I have met with at yourhands of late would breed love in the humblest heart? What devil drivesyou on to deal with me as you have done?"

"No devil, girl, but a desire for your own good, and, " he added with aburst of truth, "for the greatness of my House after I am gone, whichwill be soon. For your old wizard spoke rightly when he said that Istand near to death. "

"Will marrying me to a man I hate be for my good and make your Housegreat? I tell you, sir, it would kill me and bring the Claverings toan end. Do you desire also that your broad lands should go to patch aspendthrift Frenchman's cloak? But what matters your desire seeing thatI'll not do it, who love another man worth a score of him; one, too, whowill sit higher than any Count of Noyon ever stood. "

"Pish!" he said. "'Tis but a girl's whim. You speak folly, being youngand headstrong. Now, to have done with all this mummer's talk, will youswear to me by our Saviour and on the welfare of your soul to break withHugh de Cressi once and forever? For if so I'll let you free, to leaveme if you will, and dwell where it pleases you. "

She opened her lips to answer, but he held up his hand, saying:

"Wait ere you speak, I have not done. If you take my offer I'll not evenpress Sir Edmund Acour on you; that matter shall stand the chance oftime and tide. Only while you live you must have no more to do with theman who slew your brother. Now will you swear?"

"Not I, " she answered. "How can I who but a few days ago before God'saltar and His priest vowed myself to this same Hugh de Cressi for allhis life?"

Sir John rose from the stool and walked, or, rather, tottered to thedoor. 

"Then stay here till you rot, " he said quite quietly, "for I'll giveyou no burial. As for this Hugh, I would have spared him, but you havesigned his death-warrant. "

He was gone. The heavy door shut, the bars clanged into their sockets. Thus these two parted, for when they met once more no word passedbetween them; and although she knew not how these things would end, Evefelt that parting to be dreadful. Turning her face to the wall, for awhile she wept, then, when the woman Mell came with her bread and water, wiped away her tears and faced her calmly. After all, she could haveanswered no otherwise; her soul was pure of sin, and, for the rest, Godmust rule it. At least she would die clean and honest. 

That night she was wakened from her sleep by the clatter of horses'hoofs on the courtyard stones. She could hear no more because a windblew that drowned all sound of voices. For a while a wild hope hadfilled her that Hugh had come, or perchance Sir Andrew, with the Dunwichfolk, but presently she remembered that this was foolish, since thesewould never have been admitted within the moat. So sighing sadly sheturned to rest again, thinking to herself that doubtless her father hadcalled in some of his vassal tenants from the outlying lands to guardthe manor in case it should be attacked. 

Next morning the woman Jane Mell brought her better garments to wear, of her best indeed, and, though she wondered why they were sent, for thelack of anything else to do she arrayed herself in them, and braidedher hair with the help of a silver mirror that was among the garments. Alittle later this woman appeared again, bearing not bread and water, butgood food and a cup of wine. The food she ate with thankfulness, but thewine she would not drink, because she knew that it was French and hadheard Acour praise it. 

The morning wore away to noon, and again the door opened and there stoodbefore her--Sir Edmund Acour himself, gallantly dressed, as she noticedvaguely, in close-fitting tunic of velvet, long shoes that turned upat the toes and a cap in which was set a single nodding plume. She rosefrom her stool and set her back against the wall with a prayer to God inher heart, but no word upon her lips, for she felt that her best refugewas silence. He drew the cap from his head, and began to speak. 

"Lady, " he said, "you will wonder to see me here after my letter to you, bidding you farewell, but you will remember that in this letter I wrotethat Fate might bring us together again, and it has done so through nofault or wish of mine. The truth is that when I was near to LondonI heard that danger awaited me there on account of certain falseaccusations, such danger that I must return again to Suffolk and seeka ship at some eastern port. Well, I came here last night, and learnedthat you were back out of sanctuary and also that you had quarrelledwith your father who in his anger had imprisoned you in this poor place. An ill deed, as I think, but in truth he is so distraught with grief andracked with sickness that he scarce knows what he does. "

Now he paused, but as Eve made no answer went on:

"Pity for your lot, yes, and my love for you that eats my heart out, caused me to seek your father's leave to visit you and see if perchanceI could not soften your wrath against me. "

Again he paused and again there was no answer. 

"Moreover, " he added, "I have news for you which I fear you will thinksad and which, believe me, I pray you, it pains me to give, though theman was my rival and my enemy. Hugh de Cressi, to whom you held yourselfaffianced, is dead. "

She quivered a little at the words, but still made no answer, for herwill was very strong. 

"I had the story, " he continued, "from two of his own men, whom we metflying back to Dunwich from London. It seems that messengers from yourfather reached the Court of the King before this Hugh, telling him ofthe slaying in Blythburgh Marsh. Then came Hugh himself, whereon theKing seized him and his henchman, the archer, and at once put themon their trial as the murderers of John Clavering, of my knights, andThomas of Kessland, which they admitted boldly. Thereon his Grace, whowas beside himself with rage, said that in a time of war, when every manwas needed to fight the French, he was determined by a signal exampleto put a stop to the shedding of blood in these private feuds. So heordered the merchant to the block, and his henchman, the archer, tothe gallows, giving them but one hour to make their peace with God. Moreover, " he went on, searching her cold impassive face with his eyes, "I did not escape his wrath, for he gave command that I was to be seizedwherever I might be found and cast into prison till I could be putupon my trial, and my knights with me. Of your father's case he isconsidering since his only son has been slain and he holds him inregard. Therefore it is that I am obliged to avoid London and takerefuge here. "

Still Eve remained silent, and in his heart Acour cursed herstubbornness. 

"Lady, " he proceeded, though with somewhat less assurance--for now hemust leave lies and get to pleading, and never did a suit seem morehopeless, "these things being so through no fault of mine whose handsare innocent of any share in this young man's end, I come to pray ofyou, the sword of death having cut all your oaths, that you will havepity on my love and take me as your husband, as is your father's wishand my heart's desire. Let not your young life be swallowed up in grief, but make it joyous in my company. I can give you greatness, I can giveyou wealth, but most of all I can give you such tender adoration asnever woman had before. Oh! sweet Eve, your answer, " and he cast himselfupon the ground before her, and, snatching the hem of her robe, pressedit to his lips. 

Then at length Eve spoke in a voice that rang like steel:

"Get you gone, knave, whose spurs should be hacked from your heels byscullions. Get you gone, traitor and liar, for well I know that Hugh deCressi is not dead, who had a certain tale to tell of you to the King ofEngland. Get you back to the Duke of Normandy and there ask the price ofyour betrayal of your liege lord, Edward, and show him the plans of oureastern coast and the shores where his army may land in safety. "

Acour sprang to his feet and his face went white as ashes. Thrice hestrove to speak but could not. Then with a curse he turned and left thechamber. 

"The hunt's up, " said Father Nicholas when he had heard all this talea little later, "and now, lord, I think that you had better away toFrance, unless you desire to stop without companions in the churchyonder. "

"Ay, priest, I'll away, but by God's blood, I'll take that Red Eve withme! For one thing she knows too much to leave her behind. For a secondI mean to pay her back, and for a third, although you may think itstrange, I'm mad for her. I tell you she looked wondrous standing withher back against that wall, her marble face never wincing when I toldher all the lie about young de Cressi's death--which will be holy truthwhen I get a chance at him--watching me out of those great, dark eyes ofhers. "

"Doubtless, lord, but how did she look when she called you knave andtraitor? I think you said those were her wicked words. Oh!" he addedwith a ring of earnestness in his smooth voice, "let this Red Eve be. Atbed or board she's no mate for you. Something fights at her side, be itangel or devil, or just raw chance. At the least she'll prove your ruinunless you let her be. "

"Then I'll be ruined, Nicholas, for I'll not leave her, for a while, atany rate. What! de Noyon, whom they call Danger of Dames, beaten by acountry girl who has never seen London or Paris! I'd sooner die. "

"As well may chance if the country lad and the country archer come backwith Edward's warrant in their pouch, " answered the priest, shrugginghis lean shoulders. "Well, lord, what is your plan?"

"To carry her off. Can't we manage nine stone of womanhood between us?"

"If she were dead it might be done, though hardly--over these Suffolkroads. But being very much alive with a voice to scream with, hands tofight with, a brain to think with and friends who know her from here toYarmouth, or to Hull, and Monsieur Grey Dick's arrows pricking us behindperchance--well, I don't know. "

"Friend, " said Acour, tapping him on the shoulder meaningly, "there mustbe some way; there are always ways, and I pray you to hunt them out. Come, find me one, or stay here alone to explain affairs, first to thisDick whom you have so much upon the brain, and afterward to Edward ofEngland or his officers. "

Father Nicholas looked at the great Count's face. Then he looked at theground, and, having studied it a while without result, turned his beadyeyes to the heavens, where it would seem that he found inspiration. 

"I am a stranger to love, thank the Saints, " he said, "but, as you know, lord, I am a master leech, and amongst other things have studied certainmedicines which breed that passion in the human animal. "

"Love philtres?" queried Acour doubtfully. 

"Yes, that kind of thing. One dose, and those who hate become enamoured, and those who are enamoured hate. "

"Then in God's or Satan's name, give her one. Only be careful it is theright sort, for if you made a mistake so that she hated me any more thanshe does at present, I know not what would happen. Also if you kill herI'll dig a sword point through you. How would the stuff work?"

"She'll seem somewhat stupid for a while, perhaps not speak, but onlysmile kindly. That will last twelve hours or so, plenty of time for youto be married, and afterward, when the grosser part of the potion passesoff leaving only its divine essence, why, afterward she'll love youfuriously. "

"A powerful medicine, truly, that can change the nature of woman. Moreover, I'd rather that she loved me--well, as happy brides do. StillI put up with the fury provided it be of the good kind. And now how isit to be done?"

"Leave that to me, lord, " said Nicholas, with a cunning smile. "Give mea purse of gold, not less than ten pieces, for some is needed to melt inthe mixture, and more to bribe that woman and others. For the rest, holdyourself ready to become a husband before sunset to-morrow. Go see SirJohn and tell him that the lady softens. Send men on to King's Lynn alsoto bid them have our ship prepared to sail the minute we appear, whichwith good fortune should be within forty-eight hours from now. Aboveall, forget not that I run great risk to soul and body for your sake andthat there are abbeys vacant in Normandy. Now, farewell, I must to mywork, for this medicine takes much skill such as no other leech has savemyself. Ay, and much prayer also, that naught may hinder its powerfulworking. "

"Prayer to the devil, I think, " said his master looking after him witha shrug of his shoulders. "God's truth! if any one had told me threemonths gone that de Noyon would live to seek the aid of priests andpotions to win a woman's favour, I'd have named him liar to his face. What would those who have gone before her think of this story, Iwonder?"

Then with a bitter laugh he turned and went about his business, whichwas to lie to the father as he had lied to the daughter. Only in thissecond case he found one more willing to listen and easier to deceive. 

On the following morning, as it chanced, Eve had no relish for the foodthat was brought to her, for confinement in that narrow place had robbedher of her appetite. Also she had suffered much from grievous fear anddoubt, for whatever she might say to Acour, how could she be sure thathis story was not true? How could she be sure that her lover did not, infact, now lie dead at the headsman's hands? Such things often happenedwhen kings were wroth and would not listen. Or perhaps Acour himselfhad found and murdered him, or hired others to do the deed. She didnot know, and, imprisoned here without a friend, what means had she ofcoming at the truth? Oh! if only she could escape! If only she couldspeak with Sir Andrew for one brief minute, she, poor fool, who hadwalked into this trap of her own will. 

She sent away the food and bade the woman Mell bring her milk, for thatwould be easy to swallow and give her sustenance. After some hours itcame, Mell explaining that she had been obliged to send for it to thefarmsteading, as none drank milk in the manor-house. Being thirsty, Evetook the pitcher and drained it to the last drop, then threw it down, saying that the vessel was foul and made the milk taste ill. 

The woman did not answer, only smiled a little as she left the chamber, and Eve wondered why she smiled. 

A while later she grew very sleepy, and, as it seemed to her, hadstrange dreams in her sleep. She dreamed of her childhood, when she andHugh played together upon the Dunwich shore. She dreamed of her mother, and thought dimly that she was warning her of something. She heardvoices about her and thought that they were calling her to be free. Yes, and followed them readily enough, or so it seemed in her dream, followedthem out of that hateful prison, for the bolts clanged behind her, downstairs and into the courtyard, where the sun's light almost blinded herand the fresh air struck her hot brow like ice. Then there were morevoices, and people moving to and fro and the drone of a priest prayingand a touch upon her hand from which she shrank. And oh! she wished thatdream were done, for it was long, long. It wearied her, and grasped herheart with a cold clutch of fear. 

CHAPTER VIII

TOO LATE

It was past three o'clock on this same day when Eve had drunk the milkand some hours after she began to dream, that Hugh de Cressi and hismen, safe and sound but weary, halted their tired horses at the door ofthe Preceptory of the Templars in Dunwich. 

"Best go on to his worship the Mayor and serve the King's writ uponhim, master, " grumbled Grey Dick as they rode up Middlegate Street. "Youwasted good time in a shooting bout at Windsor against my will, and nowyou'll waste more time in a talking match at Dunwich. And the sun growslow, and the Frenchmen may have heard and be on the wing, and who cansee to lay a shaft at night?"

"Nay, man, " answered Hugh testily, "first I must know how she fares. "

"The lady Eve will fare neither better nor worse for your knowing abouther, but one with whom you should talk may fare further, for doubtlesshis spies are out. But have your way and leave me to thank God that nowoman ever found a chance to clog my leg, perhaps because I was not bornan ass. "

It is doubtful if Hugh heard these pungent and practical remarks, forere Dick had finished speaking them, he was off his horse, and hammeringat the Preceptory door. Some while passed before any answer came, forSir Andrew was walking in the garden beyond the church, in no happy mindbecause of certain rumours that had reached him, and the old nun Agnes, spying armed men and not knowing who they were, was afraid to open. Soit came about that fifteen minutes or more went by before at length Hughand his godsire stood face to face. 

"How is Eve and where? Why is she not with you, Father?" he burst out. 

"One question at a time, son, for whose safe return I thank God. I knownot how she is, and she is not with me because she is not here. She hasreturned to her father at Blythburgh. "

"Why?" gasped Hugh. "You swore to keep her safe. "

"Peace, and you shall learn, " and as shortly as he could he told him. 

"Is that all?" asked Hugh doubtfully, for he saw trouble in Sir Andrew'sface. 

"Not quite, son. Only to-day I have learned that Acour and his folknever went to London, and are back again at Blythburgh Manor. "

"So much the better, Father, for now I have the King's warrant addressedto the Mayor and all his Grace's subject in Dunwich, to take theseFrenchmen, living or dead. "

"Ah! But I have learned also that her father holds Eve a prisoner, suffering her to speak with none, and--one lamb among those wolves--Oh!God! why didst Thou suffer my wisdom to fail me? Doubtless for some goodpurpose--where is my faith? Yet we must act. Hie, you there, " he calledto one of the men-at-arms, "go to Master de Cressi's house and bid himmeet us by the market-cross mounted and armed, with all his sons andpeople. And, you, get out my horse. Mother Agnes, bring my armour, since I have no other squire! We'll go to the Mayor. Now, while I don myharness, tell me all that's passed, wasting no words. "

Another half-hour almost had gone by before Hugh met his father, two ofhis brothers and some men riding into the market-place. They greeted inhaste but thankfulness, and something of the tale was told while theypassed on to the house of the Mayor, who, as they thought, had alreadybeen warned of their coming by messengers. But here disappointmentawaited them, for this officer, a man of wealth and honour, was, as itchanced, absent on a visit to Norwich, whence it was said that he wouldnot return for three full days. 

"Now what shall we do?" asked Sir Andrew, his face falling. "It iscertain that the burgesses of Dunwich will not draw sword in an unknownquarrel, except upon the direct order of their chief, for there is notime to collect them and publish the King's warrant. It would seem thatwe must wait till to-morrow and prepare to-night. "

"Not I, " answered Hugh. "The warrant is to me as well as to the Mayor. I'll leave it with his clerk, which is good delivery, and away toBlythburgh Manor on the instant with any who will follow me, or withoutthem. Come, Dick, for night draws on and we've lost much time. "

Now his father tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen, for thefear in his heart urged him forward. So the end of it was that the wholeparty of them--thirteen men in all, counting those that Master de Cressibrought, rode away across the heath to Blythburgh, though the horses ofHugh's party being very weary, not so fast as he could have wished. 

Just as the sun sank they mounted the slope of the farther hill on thecrest of which stood the manor-house backed by winds. 

"The drawbridge is down, thanks be to God!" said Sir Andrew, "whichshows that no attack is feared. I doubt me, son, we shall find Acourflown. "

"That we shall know presently, " answered Hugh. 

"Now, dismount all and follow me. "

They obeyed, though some of them who knew old Sir John's temper seemednot to like the business. Leaving two of their people with the horses, they crossed the bridge, thinking to themselves that the great houseseemed strangely silent and deserted. Now they were in the outer court, on one side of which stood the chapel, and still there was no one to beseen. Dick tapped Hugh upon the shoulder, pointing to a window of thischapel that lay in the shadow, through which came a faint glimmering oflight, as though tapers burned upon the altar. 

"I think there's a burying yonder, " he whispered, "at which all mengather. "

Hugh blanched, for might it not be Eve whom they buried? But Sir Andrew, noting it, said:

"Nay, nay, Sir John was sick. Come, let us look. "

The door of the chapel was open and they walked through it as quietlyas they could, to find the place, which was not very large, filled withpeople. Of these they took no heed, for the last rays of the sunlightflowing through the western window, showed them a scene that held theireyes. 

A priest stood before the lighted altar holding his hands in benedictionover a pair who kneeled at its rail. One of these wore a red cloak downwhich her dark hair streamed. She leaned heavily against the rail, as aperson might who is faint with sleep or with the ardour of her orisons. It was Red Eve, no other!

At her side, clad in gleaming mail, kneeled a knight. Close by Eve stoodher father, looking at her with a troubled air, and behind the knightwere other knights and men-at-arms. In the little nave were all thepeople of the manor and with them those that dwelt around, every one ofthem intently watching the pair before the altar. 

The priest perceived them at first just as the last word of the blessingpassed his lips. 

"Why do armed strangers disturb God's house?" he asked in a warningvoice. 

The knight at the altar rails sprang up and turned round. Hugh saw thatit was Acour, but even then he noted that the woman at his side, she whowore Eve's garment, never stirred from her knees. 

Sir John Clavering glared down the chapel, and all the other peopleturned to look at them. Now Hugh and his company halted in the openspace where the nave joined the chancel, and said, answering the priest:

"I come hither with my companions bearing the warrant of the King toseize Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon, and convey him to London, thereto stand his trial on a charge of high treason toward his liege lord, Edward of England. Yield you, Sir Edmund Acour. "

At these bold words the French knights and squires drew their swords andringed themselves round their captain, whereon Hugh and his party alsodrew their swords. 

"Stay, " cried old Sir Andrew in his ringing voice. "Let no blood be shedin the holy house of God. You men of Suffolk, know that you harbour afoul traitor in your bosoms, one who plots to deliver you to the French. Lift no hand on his behalf, lest on you also should fall the vengeanceof the King, who has issued his commands to all his officers and people, to seize Acour living or dead. "

Now a silence fell upon the place, for none liked this talk of theKing's warrant, and in the midst of it Hugh asked:

"Do you yield, Sir Edmund Acour, or must we and the burgesses of Dunwichwho gather without seize you and your people?"

Acour turned and began to talk rapidly with the priest Nicholas, whilethe congregation stared at each other. Then Sir John Clavering, who allthis while had been listening like a man in a dream, suddenly steppedforward. 

"Hugh de Cressi, " he said, "tell me, does the King's writ run againstJohn Clavering?"

"Nay, " answered Hugh, "I told his Grace that you were an honest mandeceived by a knave. "

"Then what do you, slayer of my son, in my house? Know that I have justmarried my daughter to this knight whom you name traitor, and thatI here defend him to the last who is now my kin. Begone and seekelsewhere, or stay and die. "

"How have you married her?" asked Hugh in a hollow voice. "Not of herown will, surely? Rise, Eve, and tell us the truth. "

Eve stirred. Resting her hands upon the altar rails, slowly she raisedherself to her feet and turned her white face toward him. 

"Who spoke?" she said. "Was it Hugh that Acour swore is dead? Oh! wheream I? Hugh, Hugh, what passes?"

"Your honour, it seems, Eve. They say you are married to this traitor. "

"I married, and in this red robe! Why, that betokens blood, as bloodthere must be if I am wed to any man save you, " and she laughed, adreadful laugh. 

"In the name of Christ, " thundered old Sir Andrew, "tell me, JohnClavering, what means this play? Yonder woman is no willing wife. She'sdrugged or mad. Man, have you doctored your own daughter?"

"Doctored my daughter? I! I! Were you not a priest I'd tear out yourtongue for those words. She's married and of her own will. Else wouldshe have stood silent at this altar?"

"It shall be inquired of later, " Hugh answered coldly. "Now yield you, Sir Edmund Acour, the King's business comes first. "

"Nay, " shouted Clavering, springing forward and drawing his sword; "inmy house my business comes first. Acour is my daughter's husband and soshall stay till death or Pope part them. Out of this, Hugh de Cressi, with all your accursed chapman tribe. "

Hugh walked toward Acour, taking no heed. Then suddenly Sir John liftedhis sword and smote with all his strength. The blow caught Hugh onthe skull and down he fell, his mail clattering on the stones, and laystill. With a whine of rage, Grey Dick leapt at Clavering, drawing fromhis side the archer's axe he always wore. But old Sir Andrew caught andheld him in his arms. 

"Vengeance is God's, not ours, " he said. "Look!"

As he spoke Sir John began to sway to and fro. He let fall his murderingsword, he pressed his hands upon his heart, he threw them high. Thensuddenly his knees gave beneath him; he sank to the floor a huddled heapand sat there, resting against the altar rail over which his head hungbackward, open mouthed and eyed. 

The last light of the sky went out, only that of the tapers remained. Eve, awake at last, sent up shriek after shriek; Sir Andrew bending overthe two fallen men, the murderer and the murdered, began to shrive themswiftly ere the last beat of life should have left their pulses. Hisfather, brothers, and Grey Dick clustered round Hugh and lifted him. Thefox-faced priest, Nicholas, whispered quick words into the ears of Acourand his knights. Acour nodded and took a step toward Eve, who just thenfell swooning and was grasped by Grey Dick with his left hand, for inhis right he still held the axe. 

"No, no, " hissed Nicholas, dragging Sir Edmund back, "life is more thanany woman. " Then some one overset the tapers, so that the place wasplunged in gloom, and through it none saw Acour and his train creep outby the chancel door and hurry to their horses, which waited saddled inthe inner yard. 

The frightened congregation fled from the nave with white faces, eachseeking his own place, or any other that was far from Blythburgh Manor. For did not their dead master's guilt cling to them, and would they notalso be held guilty of the murder of the King's officer, and swing forit from the gallows? So it came about that when at last lights werebrought Hugh's people found themselves alone. 

"The Frenchmen have fled!" cried Grey Dick. "Follow me, men, " and withmost of them he ran out and began to search the manor, till at lengththey found a woman who told them that thirty minutes gone Acour and allhis following had ridden through the back gates and vanished at fullgallop into the darkness of the woods. 

With these tidings, Dick returned to the chapel. 

"Master de Cressi, " said Sir Andrew when he had heard it, "back withsome of your people to Dunwich and raise the burgesses, warning themthat the King's wrath will be great if these traitors escape the land. Send swift messengers to all the ports; discover where Acour ridesand follow him in force and if you come up with him, take him dead orliving. Stop not to talk, man, begone! Nay, bide here, Richard, andthose who rode with you to London, for Acour may return again and somemust be left to guard the lady Eve and your master, quick or dead. "

De Cressi, his two sons and servants went, and presently were riding forDunwich faster than ever they rode before. But, as it proved, Acourwas too swift for them. When at length a messenger galloped into Lynn, whither they learned that he had fled, it was to find that his ship, which awaited him with sails hoisted, had cleared the port three hoursbefore, with a wind behind her which blew straight for Flanders. 

"Ah!" said Grey Dick when he heard the news, "this is what comes ofwasting arrows upon targets which should have been saved for traitors'hearts! With those three hours of daylight in hand we'd have ringed therogues in or run them down. Well, the devil's will be done; he does butspare his own till a better day. "

But when the King heard the news he was very wroth, not with Hugh deCressi, but with the burgesses of Dunwich, whose Mayor, although hewas blameless, lost his office over the matter. Nor was there any otherchosen afterward in his place, as those who read the records of thatancient port may discover for themselves. 

When Master de Cressi and his people were gone, having first searchedthe great manor-house and found none in it save a few serving-men andwomen, whom he swore to put to death if they disobeyed him, Grey Dickraised the drawbridge. Then, all being made safe, he set a watch uponthe walls and saw that there was wood in the iron cradle on the topmosttower in case it should be needful to light the beacon and bring aid. But it was not, since the sun rose before any dared to draw near thosewalls, and then those that came proved to be friendly folk from Dunwichbearing the ill news that the Frenchmen were clean away. 

About midnight the door of the chamber in which Sir Andrew knelt by abed whereon lay Hugh de Cressi opened and the tall Eve entered, bearinga taper in her hand. For now her mind had returned to her and she knewall. 

"Is he dead, Father?" she asked in a small, strange voice; then, stillas any statue, awaited the answer that was more to her than life. 

"Nay, daughter. Down on your knees and give thanks. God, by the skill Igained in Eastern lands, has stayed the flow of his life's blood, and Isay that he will live. "

Then he showed her how her father's sword had glanced from the shorthood of chain-mail which he had given Hugh, stunning him, but leavingthe skull unbroken. Biting into the neck below, it had severed the outervein only. This he had tied with a thread of silk and burned with a hotiron, leaving a scar that Hugh bore to his death, but staunching theflow of blood. 

"How know you that he will live?" asked Eve again, "seeing that he lieslike one that is sped. "

"I know it, daughter. Question me no more. As for his stillness, it isthat which follows a heavy blow. Perhaps it may hold him fast many days, since certainly he will be sick for long. Yet fear nothing; he willlive. "

Now Eve uttered a great sigh. Her breast heaved and colour returned toher lips. She knelt down and gave thanks as the old priest-knight hadbidden her. Then she rose, took his hand and kissed it. 

"Yet one more question, Father, " she said. "It is of myself. That knavedrugged me. I drank milk, and, save some dreams, remember no more tillI heard Hugh's voice calling. Now they tell me that I have stood at thealtar with de Noyon, and that his priest read the mass of marriage overus, and--look! Oh! I never noted it till now--there is a ring upon myhand, " and she cast it on the floor. "Tell me, Father, according to theChurch's law is that man my--my husband?"

Sir Andrew's eloquent dark eyes, that ever shadowed forth the thoughtswhich passed within him, grew very troubled. 

"I cannot tell you, " he answered awkwardly after thinking a while. "Thispriest, Nicholas, though I hold him a foul villain, is doubtless stilla priest, clothed with all the authority of our Lord Himself, since theunworthiness of the minister does not invalidate the sacrament. Wereit otherwise, indeed, few would be well baptized or wed or shriven. Moreover, although I suspect that himself he mixed the draught, yet hemay not have known that you were drugged, and you stood silent, and, itwould appear, consenting. The ceremony, alas! was completed; I myselfheard him give the benediction. Your father assisted thereat and gaveyou to the groom in the presence of a congregation. The drugging is amatter of surmise and evidence which may not be forthcoming, since youare the only witness, and where is the proof? I fear me, daughter, thataccording to the Church's law you are de Noyon's lawful wife----"

"The Church's law, " she broke in; "how about God's law? There lies theonly man to whom I owe a bond, and I'll die a hundred deaths before anyother shall even touch my hand. Ay, if need be, I'll kill myself andreason out the case with St. Peter in the Gates. "

"Hush! hush! speak not so madly. The knot that the Church ties it canunloose. This matter must to his Holiness the Pope; it shall be mybusiness to lay it before him; yea, letters shall go to Avignon by thefirst safe hand. Moreover, it well may happen that God Himself will freeyou, by the sword of His servant Death. This lord of yours, if indeed hebe your lord, is a foul traitor. The King of England seeks his life, andthere is another who will seek it also ere very long, " and he glancedat the senseless form of Hugh. "Fret not yourself overmuch, daughter. Be grateful rather that matters are no worse, and that you remain as youalways were. Another hour and you might have been snatched away beyondour finding. What is not ended can still be mended. Now go, seek therest you need, for I would not have two sick folk on my hands. Oh, seekit with a thankful heart, and forget not to pray for the soul of yourerring father, for, after all he loved you and strove for your welfareaccording to his lights. "

"It may be so, " answered Eve, "and I'll pray for him, as is my duty. I'll pray also that I may never find such another friend as my fathershowed himself to me. "

Then she bent for a moment over Hugh, stretching out her hands above himas though in blessing, and departed as silently as she had come. 

Three days went by before Hugh found his mind again, and after that fortwo weeks he was so feeble that he must lie quite still and scarcelytalk at all. Sir Andrew, who nursed him continually with the help ofGrey Dick, who brought his master possets, bow on back and axe at sidebut never opened his grim mouth, told his patient that Eve was safe andsound, but that he must not see her until he grew strong again. 

So Hugh strove to grow strong, and, nature helping him, not in vain. Atlength there came a day when he might rise from his bed, and sit on abench in the pleasant spring sunshine by the open window. Walk hecould not, however, not only on account of his weakness, but because ofanother hurt, now discovered for the first time, which in the end gavehim more trouble than did the dreadful and dangerous blow of Clavering'ssword. It seemed that when he had fallen suddenly beneath that murderousstroke all his muscles relaxed as though he were dead, and his leftankle bent up under him, wrenching its sinews in such a fashion that forthe rest of his life he walked a little lame. Especially was this so inthe spring season, though whether because he had received his hurt atthat time or owing to the quality of the air none could ever tell him. 

Yet on that happy day he thought little of these harms, who felt thelife-blood running once more strongly through his veins and who awaitedEve's long-promised advent. At length she came, stately, kind andbeautiful, for now her grief and terror had passed by, leaving her asshe was before her woes fell upon her. She came, and in Sir Andrew'spresence, for he would not leave them, the tale was told. 

Hugh learned for the first time all the truth of her imprisonment and ofher shameful drugging. He learned of the burying of Sir John Claveringand of her naming as sole heiress to his great estates. To these, however, Acour had not been ashamed to submit some shadowy claim, made"in right of his lawful wife, Dame Eve Acour, Countess de Noyon, " whichclaim had been sent by him from France addressed to "all whom it mightconcern. " He learned of the King's wrath at the escape of this sameAcour, and of his Grace's seizure of that false knight's lands inSuffolk, which, however, proved to be so heavily mortgaged that no onewould grow rich upon them. 

Lastly he learned that King Edward, in a letter written by one of hissecretaries to Sir Andrew Arnold and received only that morning, saidthat he held him, Hugh de Cressi, not to blame for Acour's escape. Itcommanded also that if he recovered from his wound, for the giving ofwhich Sir John Clavering should have paid sharply if he had lived, heand the archer, his servant, should join him either in England or inFrance, whither he purposed shortly to proceed with all his host. Butthe Mayor and men of Dunwich he did not hold free of blame. 

The letter added, moreover, that the King was advised that Edmund Acouron reaching Normandy had openly thrown off his allegiance to the crownof England and there was engaged in raising forces to make war uponhim. Further, that this Acour alleged himself to be the lawfully marriedhusband of Eve Clavering, the heiress of Sir John Clavering, a pointupon which his Grace demanded information, since if this were truehe purposed to escheat the Clavering lands. With this brief and sternannouncement the letter ended. 

"By God's mercy, Eve, tell me, are you this fellow's wife?" exclaimedHugh. 

"Not so, " she answered. "Can a woman who is Dunwich born be wed withoutconsent? And can a woman whose will is foully drugged out of her giveconsent to that which she hates? Why, if so there is no justice in theworld. "

"'Tis a rare jewel in these evil days, daughter, " said Sir Andrew witha sigh. "Still fret not yourself son Hugh. A full statement of the case, drawn by skilled clerks and testified to by many witnesses, has goneforward already to his Holiness the Pope, of which statement truecopies have been sent to the King and to the Bishops of Norwich andof Canterbury. Yet be warned that in such matters the law ecclesiasticmoves but slowly, and then only when its wheels are greased with gold. "

"Well, " answered Hugh with a fierce laugh, "there remains another lawwhich moves more swiftly and its wheels are greased with vengeance; thelaw of the sword. If you are married, Eve, I swear that before very longyou shall be widowed or I dead. I'll not let de Noyon slip a second timeeven if he stands before the holiest altar in Christendom. "

"I'd have killed him in the chapel yonder, " muttered Grey Dick, who hadentered with his master's food and not been sent away. "Only, " he addedlooking reproachfully at Sir Andrew, "my hand was stayed by a certainholy priest's command to which, alack, I listened. "

"And did well to listen, man, since otherwise by now you would beexcommunicate. "

"I could mock at that, " said Dick sullenly, "who make confession inmy own way, and do not wish to be married, and care not the worth ofa horseshoe nail how and where I am buried, provided those I hate areburied first. "

"Richard Archer, graceless wight that you are, " said Sir Andrew, "I sayyou stand in danger of your soul. "

"Ay, Father, and so the Frenchman, Acour, stood in danger of his body. But you saved it, so perhaps if there is need at the last, you will doas much for my soul. If not it must take its chance, " and snatching atthe dish-cover angrily, he turned and left the chamber. 

"Well, " commented Sir Andrew, shaking his head sadly, "if the fellow'sheart is hard it is honest, so may he be forgiven who has something toforgive like the rest of us. Now hearken to me, son and daughter. Wrong, grievous and dreadful, has been done to you both. Yet, until death orthe Church levels it, a wall that you may not climb stands between you, and when you meet it must be as friends--no more. "

"Now I begin to wish that I had learned in Grey Dick's school, " saidHugh. But whatever she thought, Eve set her lips and said nothing. 

CHAPTER IX

CRECY FIELD

It was Saturday, the 26th of August, in the year 1346. The harassedEnglish host--but a little host, after all, retreating for its life fromParis--had forced the passage of the Somme by the ford which a forgottentraitor, Gobin Agache by name, revealed to them. Now it stood at bayupon the plain of Crecy, there to conquer or to die. 

"Will the French fight to-day, what think you?" asked Hugh of Grey Dick, who had just descended from an apple-tree which grew in the garden of aburnt-out cottage. Here he had been engaged on the twofold businessof surveying the disposition of the English army and in gathering apocketful of fruit which remained upon the tree's topmost boughs. 

"I think that these are very good apples, " answered Dick, speaking withhis mouth full. "Eat while you get the chance, master, for, who knows, the next you set your teeth in may be of the kind that grew upon theTree of Life in a very old garden, " and he handed him two of the best. Then he turned to certain archers, who clustered round with outstretchedhands, saying: "Why should I give you my apples, fellows, seeing thatyou were too lazy to climb and get them for yourselves? None of you evergave me anything when I was hungry, after the sack of Caen, in whichmy master, being squeamish, would take no part. Therefore I went to bedsupperless, because, as I remember you said, I had not earned it. Still, as I don't want to fight the French with a bellyache, go scramble forthem. "

Then, with a quick motion, he flung the apples to a distance, all saveone, which he presented to a tall man who stood near, adding:

"Take this, Jack Green, in token of fellowship, since I have nothingelse to offer you. I beat you at Windsor, didn't I, when we shot a matchbefore the King? Now show your skill and beat me and I'll say 'thankyou. ' Keep count of your arrows shot, Jack, and I'll keep count of mine, and when the battle is over, he who has grassed most Frenchmen shall becalled the better man. "

"Then I'm that already, lad, " answered the great yeoman with a grin ashe set his teeth in the apple. "For, look you, having served at CourtI've learned how to lie, and shall swear I never wasted shaft, whereasyou, being country born, may own to a miss or two for shame's sake. Or, likelier still, those French will have one or both of us in their bag. If all tales are true, there is such a countless host of them that wefew English shall not see the sky for arrows. "

Dick shrugged his shoulders and was about to answer when suddenly asound of shouting deep and glad rose from the serried companies upontheir left. Then the voice of an officer was heard calling:

"Line! Line! The King comes!"

Another minute and over the crest of a little rise appeared Edward ofEngland clad in full armour. He wore a surtout embroidered with thearms of England and France, but his helm hung at his saddle-bow thatall might see his face. He was mounted, not on his war steed, but on asmall, white, ambling palfrey, and in his hand he bore a short baton. With him came two marshalls, gaily dressed, and a slim young man cladfrom head to foot in plain black armour, and wearing a great ruby in hishelm, whom all knew for Edward, Prince of Wales. 

On he rode, acknowledging the cheering of his soldiers with smiles andcourtly bows, till at length he pulled rein just in front of the tripleline of archers, among whom were mingled some knights and men-at-arms, for the order of battle was not yet fully set. Just then, on the plainbeneath, riding from out the shelter of some trees and, as they thought, beyond the reach of arrows, appeared four splendid French knights, andwith them a few squires. There they halted, taking stock, it would seem, of the disposition of the English army. 

"Who are those that wear such fine feathers?" asked the King. 

"One is the Lord of Bazeilles, " answered a marshall. "I can see the monkupon his crest, but the blazons of the others I cannot read. They spyupon us, Sire; may we sally out and take them?"

"Nay, " answered Edward, "their horses are fresher than ours; let themgo, for pray God we shall see them closer soon. "

So the French knights, having stared their full, turned and rode awayslowly. But one of their squires did otherwise. Dismounting from hishorse, which he left with another squire to hold, he ran forward afew paces to the crest of a little knoll. Thence he made gestures ofcontempt and scorn toward the English army, as he did so shouting foulwords, of which a few floated to them in the stillness. 

"Now, " said Edward, "if I had an archer who could reach that varlet, I'll swear that his name should not be forgotten in England. But alas!it may not be, for none cam make an arrow fly true so far. "

Instantly Grey Dick stepped forward. 

"Sire, may I try?" he asked, stringing his great black bow as he spoke. 

"Who are you?" said the King, "who seem to have been rolled in ashes andwear my own gold arrow in your cap? Ah! I remember, the Suffolk man whoshowed us all how to shoot at Windsor, he who is called Grey Dick. Yes, try, Grey Dick, try, if you think that you can reach so far. Yet for thehonour of St. George, man, do not miss, for all the host will see Fateriding on your shaft. "

For one moment Dick hesitated. Such awful words seemed to shake even hisiron nerve. 

"I've seen you do as much, Dick, " said the quiet voice of Hugh de Cressibehind him. "Still, judge you. "

Then Dick ground his heels into the turf and laid his weight against thebow. While all men watched breathless, he drew it to an arc, he drew ittill the string was level with his ear. He loosed, then, slewing round, straightened himself and stared down at the earth. As he said afterward, he feared to watch that arrow. 

Away it sped while all men gazed. High, high it flew, the sunlightglinting on its polished barb. Down it came at length, and the Kingmuttered "Short!" But while the word passed his lips that shaft seemedto recover itself, as though by magic, and again rushed on. He of thefoul words and gestures saw it coming, and turned to fly. As he leaptforward the war arrow struck him full in the small of the back, justwhere the spine ends, severing it, so that he fell all of a heap like anox beneath the axe, and lay a still and huddled shape. 

From all the English right who saw this wondrous deed there went up sucha shout that their comrades to the left and rear thought for a momentthat battle had been joined. The King and the Prince stared amazed. Hughflung his arms about Dick's neck, and kissed him. Jack Green cried:

"No archer, but a wizard! Mere man could not have sent a true shaft sofar. "

"Then would to heaven I had more such wizards, " said the King. "Godbe with you, Grey Dick, for you have put new heart into my and all ourcompany. Mark, each of you, that he smote him in the back, smote himrunning! What reward would you have, man?"

"None, " answered Dick in a surly voice. "My reward is that, whateverhappens, yon filthy French knave will never mock honest English folkagain. Or so I think, though the arrow barely reached him. Yet, Sire, "he added after a pause, "you might knight my master, Hugh de Cressi, ifyou will, since but for him I should have feared to risk that shot. "

Then turning aside, Dick unstrung his bow, and, pulling the remains ofthe apple out of his pouch, began to munch it unconcernedly. 

"Hugh de Cressi!" said the King. "Ah! yes, I mind me of him and of therogue, Acour, and the maid, Red Eve. Well, Hugh, I am told you foughtgallantly at Blanche-Tague two days gone and were among the last tocross the Somme. Also, we have other debts to pay you. Come hither, sir, and give me your sword. "

"Your pardon, my liege, " said Hugh, colouring, "but I'll not be knightedfor my henchman's feats, or at all until I have done some of my own. "

"Ah, well, Master Hugh, " said the King, "that's a right spirit. Afterthe battle, perhaps, if it should please God that we live to meet againin honour. De Cressi, " he added musingly, "why this place is calledCrecy, and here, I think, is another good omen. At Crecy shall de Cressigain great honour for himself and for St. George of England. You areluck bringers, you two. Let them not be separated in the battle, lestthe luck should leave them. See to it, if it please you, my lord ofWarwick. Young de Cressi can draw a bow; let him fight amongst thearchers and have liberty to join the men-at-arms when the time comes. Orstay; set them near my son the Prince, for there surely the fight willbe hottest. 

"And now, you men of England, whatever your degree, my brothers ofEngland, gentle and simple, Philip rolls down upon us with all the mightof France, our heritage which he has stolen, our heritage and yours. Well, well, show him to-day, or to-morrow, or whenever it may be, thatEnglishmen put not their faith in numbers, but in justice and their owngreat hearts. Oh, my brothers and my friends, let not Edward, whom youare pleased to serve as your lawful King, be whipped off the field ofCrecy and out of France! Stand to your banners, stand to your King, stand to St. George and God! Die where you are if need be, as I will. Never threaten and then show your backs like that knave the archer shotbut now. Look, I give my son into your keeping, " and he pointed to theyoung Prince, who all this while sat upon his horse upright and silent. "The Hope of England shall be your leader, but if he flies, why then, cut him down, and fight without him. But he'll not fly and you'll notfly; no, you and he together will this day earn a name that shall betold of when the world is grey with age. Great is the chance that lifehas given you; pluck it, pluck it from the land of opportunity and, deador living, become a song forever in the mouths of men unborn. Think notof prisoners; think not of ransoms and of wealth. Think not of me or ofyourselves, but think of England's honour, and for that strike home, forEngland watches you to-day. "

"We will, we will! Fear not, King, we will, " shouted the host in answer. 

With a glad smile, Edward took his young son's hand and shook it; thenrode away followed by his marshals. 

"De Cressi, " he said, as he passed Hugh, "the knave Acour, your foe andmine, is with Philip of France. He has done me much damage, de Cressi, more than I can stop to tell. Avenge it if you can. Your luck is great, you may find the chance. God be with you and all. My lords, farewell. You have your orders. Son Edward, fare you well, also. Meet me againwith honour, or never more. "

It was not yet noon when King Edward spoke these words, and long hourswere to go by before the battle joined. Indeed, most thought that noblow would be struck that day, since it was known that Philip had sleptat Abbeville, whence for a great army the march was somewhat long. Still, when all was made ready, the English sat them down in theirranks, bows and helmets at side, ate their mid-day meal with appetite, and waited whatever fate might send them. 

In obedience to the King's command Hugh and Grey Dick had been attachedto the immediate person of the Prince of Wales, who had about him, besides his own knights, a small band of chosen archers and another bandof men-at-arms picked for their strength and courage. These soldierswere all dismounted, since the order had gone forth that knight andsquire must fight afoot, every horse having been sent to the rear, forthat day the English expected to receive charges, not to make them. This, indeed, would have been impossible, seeing that all along theirfront the wild Welsh had laboured for hours digging pits into whichhorses might plunge and fall. 

There then the Prince's battle sat, a small force after all, perhapstwelve hundred knights and men-at-arms, with three or four thousandarchers, and to their rear, as many of the savage, knife-armed Welshwho fought that day under the banner of their country, the red Dragonof Merlin. Grey Dick's place was on the extreme left of the archerbodyguard, and Hugh's on the extreme right of that of the men-at-arms, so that they were but a few yards apart and could talk together. Fromtime to time they spoke of sundry things, but mostly of home, for inthis hour of danger through which both of them could hardly hopeto live, even if one did, their thoughts turned thither, as was butnatural. 

"I wonder how it fares with the lady Eve, " said Hugh, with a sigh, forof her no news had come to him since they had parted some months before, after he recovered from the wound which Clavering gave him. 

"Well enough, doubtless. Why not?" replied Dick. "She is strong andhealthy, she has many friends and servants to guard her and no enemythere to harm her, for her great foe is yonder, " and he nodded towardsAbbeville. "Oh, without doubt well enough. It is she who should wonderhow it fares with us. Let us hope that, having naught else to do, sheremembers us in her prayers, since in such a case even one woman'sprayers are worth something, for does not a single feather sometimesturn the scale?"

"I think that Eve would rather fight than pray, " answered Hugh, with asmile, "like old Sir Andrew, who would give half his remaining days tosit here with us this afternoon. Well, he is better where he is. Dick, that knave Acour sent only insolent words in answer to my challenge, which I despatched to him by the knight I took and spared at Caen. "

"Why should he do more, master? He can find plenty of ways of dyingwithout risking a single combat with one whom he has wronged and who istherefore very dangerous. You remember his crest, master--a silver swanpainted on his shield. I knew it, and that is why I shot that poor fowljust before you killed young Clavering on the banks of Blythe, to teachhim that swans are not proof against arrows. Watch for the swan crest, master, when the battle joins, and so will I, I promise you. "

"Ay, I'll watch, " said Hugh grimly. "God help all swans that come myway. Let us pray that this one has not taken wing, for if so I, too, must learn to fly. "

Thus they talked of these and other things amongst the hum of the greatcamp, which was like to that of bees on a lime-tree in summer, andwhilst they talked the blue August sky became suddenly overcast. Denseand heavy clouds hid up its face, a cold and fitful wind began to blow, increasing presently to a gale which caused the planted standards, blazoned with lions rampant and with fleurs-de-lis, and the pennons of ahundred knights set here and there among the long battle lines, first toflap and waver and then to stand out straight as though they were cut ofiron. 

A word of command was called from rank to rank. 

"Sheath bows!" it said, and instantly thousands of slender points werelifted and sank again, vanishing into the leathern cases which thearchers bore. 

Scarcely were these snug when the storm broke. First fell a few heavydrops, to be followed by such a torrent that all who had cloaks wereglad to wear them. From the black clouds above leapt lightnings thatwere succeeded by the deep and solemn roll of thunder. A darkness fellupon the field so great that men wondered what it might portend, fortheir minds were strained. That which at other times would have passedwithout remark, now became portentous. Indeed, afterward some declaredthat through it they had seen angels or demons in the air, and othersthat they had heard a voice prophesying woe and death, to whom they knewnot. 

"It is nothing but a harvest tempest, " said Dick presently, as he shookthe wet from him like a dog and looked to the covering of his quiver. "See, the clouds break. "

As he spoke a single red ray from the westering sun shot through arift in the sky and lay across the English host like a sword of light, whereof the point hung over the eastern plain. Save for this flamingsword all else was dark, and silent also, for the rain and thunder haddied away. Only thousands of crows, frightened from the woods, wheeledto and fro above, their black wings turning to the redness of blood asthey crossed and recrossed that splendid path of light, and their hoarsecries filling the solemn air with clamour. The sight and sounds werestrange, nor did the thickest-headed fellow crouched upon Crecy'sfateful plain ever forget them till his dying day. 

The sky cleared by slow degrees, the multitudes of crows wheeled offtoward the east and vanished, the sun shone out again in quiet glory. 

"Pray God the French fight us to-day, " said Hugh as he took off hiscloak and rolled it up. 

"Why, master?"

"Because, Dick, it is written that the rain falls on the just and theunjust; and the unjust, that is the French, or rather the Italians whomthey hire, use these new-fangled cross-bows which as you know cannot becased like ours, and therefore stretch their strings in wet. "

"Master, " remarked Dick, "I did not think you had so much wit--that is, since you fell in love, for before then you were sharp enough. Well, youare right, and a little matter like that may turn a battle. Not but whatI had thought of it already. "

Hugh was about to answer with spirit, when a sound of distant shoutingbroke upon their ears, a very mighty sound, and next instant someoutposts were seen galloping in, calling: "Arm! Arm! The French! TheFrench!"

Suddenly there appeared thousands of cross-bow men, in thick, waveringlines, and behind them the points of thousands of spears, whose bearersas yet were hidden by the living screen of the Italian archers. Yes, before them was the mighty host of France glittering in the splendidlight of the westering sun, which shone full into their faces. 

The irregular lines halted. Perhaps there was something in the aspectof those bands of Englishmen still seated in silence on the ground, withnever a horse among them, that gave them pause. Then, as though at aword of command, the Genoese cross-bow men set up a terrific shout. 

"Do they think to make us run at a noise, like hares?" said Hughcontemptuously. 

But Grey Dick made no answer, for already his pale eyes were fixedupon the foe with a stare that Hugh thought was terrible, and hislong fingers were playing with the button of his bow-case. The Genoeseadvanced a little way, then again stood and shouted, but still theEnglish sat silent. 

A third time they advanced and shouted more loudly than before, thenbegan to wind up their cross-bows. 

From somewhere in the English centre rose a heavy, thudding sound whichwas new to war. It came from the mouths of cannons now for the firsttime fired on a field of battle, and at the report of them the Genoese, frightened, fell back a little. Seeing that the balls fell short and didbut hop toward them slowly, they took courage again and began to loosetheir bolts. 

"You're right, master, " exclaimed Grey Dick in a fierce chuckle, "theirstrings _are_ wet, " and he pointed to the quarrels that, like the cannonballs, struck short, some within fifty paces of those who shot them, sothat no man was hurt. 

Now came a swift command, and the English ranks rose to their feet, uncased their bows and strung them all as though with a single hand. Asecond command and every bow was bent. A third and with a noise that washalf hiss and half moan, thousands of arrows leapt forward. Forward theyleapt, and swift and terrible they fell among the ranks of the advancingGenoese. Yes, and ere ever one had found its billet, its quiver-mate washastening on its path. Then--oh! the sunlight showed it all--the Genoeserolled over by scores, their frail armour bitten through and through bythe grey English arrows. By scores that grew to hundreds, that grewtill the poor, helpless men who were yet unhurt among them wailed out intheir fear, and, after one short, hesitant moment, surged back upon thelong lines of men-at-arms behind. 

From these arose a great shout: "_Trahison! Trahison! Tuez! Tuez!_" Nextinstant the appalling sight was seen of the chivalry of France fallingupon their friends, whose only crime was that their bow-strings werewet, and butchering them where they stood. So awful and unexpected wasthis spectacle that for a little while the English archers, all exceptGrey Dick and a few others cast in the same iron mould, ceased to plytheir bows and watched amazed. 

The long shafts began to fly again, raining alike upon the slaughterersand the slaughtered. A few minutes, five perhaps, and this terriblescene was over, for of the seven thousand Genoese but a tithe remainedupon their feet, and the interminable French lines, clad in sparklingsteel and waving lance and sword, charged down upon the little Englishband. 

"Now for the feast!" screamed Grey Dick. "That was but a snack to sharpthe appetite, " and as he said the words a gorgeous knight died with hisarrow through the heart. 

It came, the charge came. Nothing could stop it. Down went man andhorse, line upon line of them swept to death by the pitiless Englisharrows, but still more rushed on. They fell in the pits that had beendug; they died beneath the shafts and the hoofs of those that followed, but still they struggled on, shouting: "Philip and St. Denis!" andwaving their golden banner, the Oriflamme of France. 

The charge crept up as a reluctant, outworn wave creeps to a resistingrock. It foamed upon the rock. The archers ceased to shoot and drewtheir axes. The men-at-arms leapt forward. The battle had joined atlast! Breast to breast they wrestled now. Hugh's sword was red, and redwas Grey Dick's axe. Fight as they would, the English were borne back. The young Prince waved his arm, screaming something, and at that sightthe English line checked its retreat, stood still, and next plungedforward with a roar of:

"England and the Prince!"

That assault was over. Backward rolled the ride of men, those who wereleft living. After them went the dark Welsh. Their commanders orderedthem to stand; the Earl of Warwick ordered them to stand. The Princehimself ordered them to stand, running in front of them, only to beswept aside like a straw before a draught of wind. Out they broke, grinning and gnashing their teeth, great knives in their hands. 

The red Dragon of Merlin which a giant bore led them on. It sank, it fell, it rose again. The giant was down, but another had it. Theyscrambled over the mass of dead and dying. They got among the livingbeyond. With eerie screams they houghed the horses and, when the ridersfell, hacked open the lacings of their helms, and, unheeding of anycries for mercy, drove the great knives home. At length all were dead, and they returned again waving those red knives and singing some fiercechant in their unknown tongue. 

The battle was not over yet. Fresh horses of Frenchmen gathered outof arrow range, and charged again under the banners of Blois, Alencon, Lorraine, and Flanders. Forward they swept, and with them came one wholooked like a king, for he wore a crown upon his helm. The hawk-eyedDick noted him, and that his bridle was bound to those of the knightswho rode upon his either side. On them he rained shafts from his greatblack bow, for Grey Dick never shot without an aim, and after the battleone of his marked arrows was found fixed in the throat of the blind kingof Bohemia. 

This second charge could not be stayed. Step by step the English knightswere beaten back; the line of archers was broken through; his guardformed round the Prince, Hugh among them. Heavy horses swept on to them. Beneath the hoofs of one of these Hugh was felled, but, stabbing it frombelow, caused the poor beast to leap aside. He gained his feetagain. The Prince was down, a splendid knight--it was the Count ofFlanders--who had sprung from his horse, stood over him, his sword pointat his throat, and called on him to yield. Up ran Robert Fitzsimmon, thestandard bearer, shouting:

"To the son of the King! To the son of the King!"

He struck down a knight with the pole of his standard. Hugh sprang likea wild-cat at Louis of Flanders, and drove his sword through his throat. Richard de Beaumont flung the great banner of Wales over the Prince, hiding him till more help came to beat back the foe. Then the Princestruggled from the ground, gasping:

"I thank you, friends, " and once more the French retreated. The Welshbanner rose again and that danger was over. 

The Earl of Warwick ran up. Hugh noted that his armour was covered withblood. 

"John of Norwich, " he cried to an aged knight, who stood leaning on hissword, "take one with you, away to the King and pray him for aid. TheFrench gather again; we are outworn with blows; the young Prince is indanger of his life or liberty. Begone!"

Old John's eyes fell on Hugh. 

"Come with me, you Suffolk man, " he said, and away they went. 

"Now what would you give, " he gasped as they ran, "to be drinking astoup of ale with me in my tower of Mettingham as you have done beforethis red day dawned? What would you give, young Hugh de Cressi?"

"Nothing at all, " answered Hugh. "Rather would I die upon this field inglory than drink all the ale in Suffolk for a hundred years. "

"Well said, young man, " grunted John. "So do I think would I, though Ihave never longed for a quart of liquor more. "

They came to a windmill and climbed its steep stairs. On the topstage, amid the corn sacks stood Edward of England looking through thewindow-places. 

"Your business, Sir John?" he said, scarcely turning his head. 

The old knight told it shortly. 

"My son is not dead and is not wounded, " replied the King, "and I havenone to send to his aid. Bid him win his spurs; the day shall yet behis. Look, " he added, pointing through the window-place, "our bannershave not given back a spear's throw, and in front of them the field ispaved with dead. I tell you the French break. Back, de Norwich! Back, deCressi, and bid the Prince to charge!"

Some one thrust a cup of wine into Hugh's hand. He swallowed it, glancing at the wild scene below, and presently was running with SirJohn toward the spot where they saw the Prince's banner flying. Theycame to Warwick and told him the King's answer. 

"My father speaks well, " said the Prince. "Let none share our glory thisday! My lord, form up the lines, and when my banner is lifted thrice, give the word to charge. Linger not, the dark is near, and either Franceor England must go down ere night. "

Forward rolled the French in their last desperate onset; horse and footmingled together. Forward they rolled almost in silence, the arrowsplaying on their dense host, but not as they did at first, for manya quiver was empty. Once, twice, thrice the Prince's banner bowed andlifted, and as it rose for the third time there rang out a shout of:

"Charge for St. George and Edward!"

Then England, that all these long hours had stood still, suddenly hurledherself upon the foe. Hugh, leaping over a heap of dead and dying, sawin front of him a knight who wore a helmet shaped like a wolf's head andhad a wolf painted upon his shield. The wolf knight charged at himas though he sought him alone. An arrow from behind--it was GreyDick's--sank up to the feathers in the horse's neck, and down it came. The rider shook himself clear and began to fight. Hugh was beaten tohis knee beneath a heavy blow that his helm turned. He rose unhurt andrushed at the knight, who, in avoiding his onset, caught his spur on thebody of a dead man and fell backward. 

Hugh leapt on to him, striving to thrust his sword up beneath his gorgetand make an end of him. 

"Grace!" said the knight in French, "I yield me. "

"We take no prisoners, " answered Hugh, as he thrust again. 

"Pity, then, " said the knight. "You are brave, would you butcher afallen man? If you had tripped I would have spared you. Show mercy, someday your case may be mine and it will be repaid to you. "

Hugh hesitated, although now the point of his sword was through thelacing of the gorget. 

"For your lady's sake, pity, " gasped the knight as he felt its point. 

"You know by what name to conjure, " said Hugh doubtfully. "Well, get yougone if you can, and pray for one Hugh de Cressi, for he gives you yourlife. "

The knight seemed to start, then struggled to his feet, and, seizing aloose horse by the bridle, swung himself to the saddle and galloped offinto the shadows. 

"Master, " croaked a voice into Hugh's ear, "I've seen the swan! Followme. My arrows are all gone, or I'd have shot him. "

"God's truth! show him to me, " gasped Hugh, and away they leapttogether. 

Soon they had outrun even the slaughtering Welsh, and found themselvesmingled with fugitives from the French army. But in the gatheringtwilight none seemed to take any note of them. Indeed every man wasengaged in saving his own life and thought that this was the purpose ofthese two also. Some three hundred yards away certain French knights, mounted, often two upon one horse, or afoot, were flying from that awfulfield, striking out to the right in order to clear themselves of thecumbering horde of fugitives. One of these knights lagged behind, evidently because his horse was wounded. He turned to look back, and alast ray from the dying sun lit upon him. 

"Look, " said Dick; and Hugh saw that on the knight's shield was blazoneda white swan and that he wore upon his helmet a swan for a crest. Theknight, who had not seen them, spurred his horse, but it would not orcould not move. Then he called to his companions for help, but theytook no heed. Finding himself alone, he dismounted, hastily examined thehorse's wound, and, having unbuckled a cloak from his saddle, cast downhis shield in order that he might run more lightly. 

"Thanks to God, he is mine, " muttered Hugh. "Touch him not, Dick, unlessI fall, and then do you take up the quarrel till you fall. "

So speaking he leapt upon the man out of the shadow of some thorns thatgrew there. 

"Lift your shield and fight, " said Hugh, advancing on him with raisedsword. "I am Hugh de Cressi. "

"Then, sir, I yield myself your prisoner, " answered the knight, "seeingthat you are two and I but one. "

"Not so. I take no prisoners, who seek vengeance, not ransom, and leastof all from you. My companion shall not touch you unless I fall. Swiftnow, the light dies, and I would kill you fighting. "

The knight picked up his shield. 

"I know you, " he said. "I am not he you think. "

"And I know you, " answered Hugh. "Now, no words, of them there have beenenough between us, " and he smote at him. 

For two minutes or more they fought, for the armour of both was good, and one was full of rage and the other of despair. There was little finesword-play about this desperate duel; the light was too low for it. Theystruck and warded, that was all, while Grey Dick stood by and watchedgrimly. Some more fugitives came up, but seeing that blows passed, veered off to the left, for of blows they had known enough that day. Theswan knight missed a great stroke, for Hugh leapt aside; then, as theFrenchman staggered forward, struck at him with all his strength. The heavy sword, grasped in both hands, for Hugh had thrown aside hisshield, caught his foe where neck joins shoulder and sank through hismail deep into the flesh beneath. Down he went. It was finished. 

"Unlace his helm, Dick, " grasped Hugh. "I would see his face for thelast time, and if he still lives----"

Dick obeyed, cutting the lashings of the helm. 

"By the Saints!" he said presently in a startled voice, "if this be SirEdmund Acour he has strangely changed. "

"I am not Acour, lord of Noyon, " said the dying man in a hollow voice. "Had you given me time I would have told you so. "

"Then, in Christ's name, who are you?" asked Hugh, "that wear de Noyon'scognizance?"

"I am Pierre de la Roche, one of his knights. You have seen me inEngland. I was with him there, and you made me prisoner on Dunwichheath. He bade me change arms with him before the battle, promising megreat reward, because he knew that if he were taken, Edward of Englandwould hang him as a traitor, whereas me they might ransom. Also, hefeared your vengeance. "

"Well, of a truth, you have the reward, " said Dick, looking at hisghastly wound. 

"Where then is Acour?" gasped Hugh. 

"I know not. He fled from the battle an hour ago with the King ofFrance, but I who was doomed would not fly. Oh, that I could find apriest to shrive me!"

"Whither does he fly?" asked Hugh again. 

"I know not. He said that if the battle went against us he would seekhis castle in Italy, where Edward cannot reach him. "

"What armour did he wear?" asked Dick. 

"Mine, mine--a wolf upon his shield, a wolf's head for crest. "

Hugh reeled as though an arrow had passed through him. 

"The wolf knight, Acour!" he groaned. "And I spared his life. "

"A very foolish deed, for which you now pay the price, " said Dick, asthough to himself. 

"We met in the battle and he told me, " said de la Roche, speaking veryslowly, for he grew weak. "Yes, he told me and laughed. Truly we areFate's fools, all of us, " and he smiled a ghastly smile and died. 

Hugh hid his face in his hands and sobbed in his helpless rage. 

"The innocent slain, " he said, "by me, and the guilty spared--by me. Oh, God! my cup is full. Take his arms, man, that one day I may show them toAcour, and let us be going ere we share this poor knight's fate. Ah!who could have guessed it was thus that I and Sir Pierre should meet andpart again. "

CHAPTER X

THE KING'S CHAMPION

Back over that fearful field, whereof the silence was broken only bythe groans of the wounded and the dying, walked Hugh and Grey Dick. Theycame to the great rampart of dead men and horses that surrounded theEnglish line, and climbed it as though it were a wall. On the furtherside bonfires had been lit to lighten the darkness, and by the flareof them they saw Edward of England embracing and blessing his son, theBlack Prince, who, unhelmeted, bowed low before him in his bloodstainedmail. 

"Who were they besides, Sir Robert Fitzsimmon and Richard de Beaumontwho helped you when you were down, my son?" asked the King. 

The Prince looked about him. 

"I know not, Sire. Many, but here is one of them, " and he pointed toHugh, who just then appeared within the circle of the firelight. "Ithink that he slew the Count Louis of Flanders. "

"Ah!" said the King, "our young merchant of Dunwich--a gallant man. Kneel you down, merchant of Dunwich. "

Hugh knelt, and the King, taking the red sword from his hand, struck himwith it on the shoulder, saying:

"Rise, Sir Hugh de Cressi, for now I give you that boon which yourdeathfaced servant asked before the battle. You have served us, orrather England well, both of you. But whose armour is that the archercarries, Sir Hugh?"

"Sir Edmund Acour's, lord de Noyon, Sire, only, alack! another man waswithin the armour. "

"Your meaning?" said the King briefly, and in few words Hugh told thetale. 

"A strange story, Sir Hugh. It would seem that God fought against you inthis matter. Also I am wroth; my orders were that none of my men shouldsally out, though I fear me that you are not the only one who has brokenthem, and for your great deeds I forgive you. "

"Sire, " said Hugh, dropping to his knee again, "a boon. This de Noyon, your enemy and mine, has cheated and mocked me. Grant to me and myservant, Richard the archer, permission to follow after him and beavenged upon him. "

"What is this you ask, Sir Hugh? That you and your brave henchman shouldwander off into the depths of France, there to perish in a dungeon orbe hanged like felons? Nay, nay, we need good men and have none to sparefor private quarrels. As for this traitor, de Noyon, and his plot, thategg is broken ere it was hatched, and we fear him no more. You followme, Sir Hugh, and your servant with you, whom we make a captain of ourarchers. Until Calais is taken, leave not our person for any cause, andask no more such boons lest you lose our favour. Nay, we have no morewords for you since many others seek them. Stand back, Sir Hugh! Whatsay you, my lord of Warwick? Ay, it is a gruesome task, but let theWelshmen out, those wounded will be well rid of their pain, and Christhave mercy on their souls. Forget not when it is finished to gather allmen that they may give thanks to God for His great mercies. "

Well nigh a year had gone, for once again the sun shone in the brazenAugust heavens. Calais had fallen at last. Only that day six of hernoblest citizens had come forth, bearing the keys of the fortress, cladin white shirts, with ropes about their necks, and been rescued frominstant death at the hands of the headsman by the prayer of QueenPhilippa. 

In his tent sat Hugh de Cressi, who, after so much war and hardship, looked older than his years, perhaps because of a red scar acrossthe forehead, which he had come by during the siege. With him was hisfather, Master de Cressi, who had sailed across from Dunwich with acargo of provisions, whereof, if the truth were known, he had made nosmall profit. For they were sold, every pound of them, before they leftthe ship's hold, though it is true the money remained to be collected. 

"You say that Eve is well, my father?"

"Aye, well enough, son. Never saw I woman better or more beautiful, though she wears but a sad face. I asked her if she would not sail withme and visit you. But she answered: 'Nay, how can I who am another man'swife? Sir Hugh, your son, should have killed the wolf and let the poorswan go. When the wolf is dead, then, perchance, I will visit him. But, meanwhile, say to him that Red Eve's heart is where it always was, andthat, like all Dunwich, she joys greatly in his fame and is honoured inhis honour. ' Moreover, to Grey Dick here, she sends many messages, anda present of wines and spiced foods for his stomach and of six scorearrows made after his own pattern for his quiver. "

"But for me no gift, father?" said Hugh. 

"Nothing, son, save her love, which she said was enough. Also, in allthis press of business and in my joy at finding you safe I had almostforgotten it, there is a letter from the holy Father, Sir Andrew. I haveit somewhere in my pouch amid the bills of exchange, " and he began tohunt through the parchments which he carried in a bag within his robe. 

At length the letter was found. It ran thus:

To Sir Hugh de Cressi, knight, my beloved godson:

With what rejoicings I and another have heard of your knightly deedsthrough the letters that you have sent to us and from the mouths ofwounded soldiers returned from the war, your honoured father will tellyou. I thank God for them, and pray Him that this may find you unhurtand growing ever in glory. 

My son, I have no good news for you. The Pope at Avignon, having studiedthe matter, (if indeed it ever reached his own ears) writes by one ofhis secretaries to say that he will not dissolve the alleged marriagebetween the Count of Noyon and the lady Eve of Clavering until theparties have appeared before him and set out their cause to his face. Therefore Eve cannot come to you, nor must you come to her while deNoyon lives, unless the mind of his Holiness can be changed. ShouldFrance become more quiet, so that English folk can travel there insafety, perchance Eve and I will journey to Avignon to lay her plaintbefore the Holy Father. But as yet this seems scarcely possible. Moreover, I trust that the traitor, Acour, may meet his end in this wayor in that, and so save us the necessity. For, as you know, such casestake long to try, and the cost of them is great. Moreover, at the Courtof Avignon the cause of one of our country must indeed be good just nowwhen the other party to it is of the blood of France. 

Soon I hope to write to you again, who at present have no more to say, save that notwithstanding my years I am well and strong, and would thatI sat with you before the walls of Calais. God's blessing and mine be onyou, and to Richard the archer, greetings. Dunwich has heard how heshot the foul-tongued Frenchman before the great battle closed, and thetownsfolk lit a bonfire on the walls and feasted all the archers in hishonour. 

Andrew Arnold. 

"I have found another letter, " said Master de Cressi, when Hugh hadfinished reading, "which I remember Sir Andrew charged me to give to youalso, " and he handed him a paper addressed in a large, childish hand. 

Hugh broke its silk eagerly, for he knew that writing. 

"Hugh, " it began simply, "Clement the Pope will not void my falsemarriage unless I appear before him, and this as yet I cannot do becauseof the French wars. Moreover, he sets the curse of the Church upon meand any man with whom I shall dare to re-marry until this be done. Formyself I would defy the Church, but not for you or for children thatmight come to us. Moreover, the holy father, Sir Andrew, forbids it, saying that God will right all in His season and that we must not makeHim wroth. Therefore, Hugh, lover you are, but husband you may notbe while de Noyon lives or until the Pope gives his dispensation ofdivorce, which latter may be long in winning, for the knave de Noyonhas been whispering in his ear. Hugh, this is my counsel: Get you to theKing again and crave his leave to follow de Noyon, for if once you twaincan come face to face I know well how the fray will end. Then, whenhe is dead, return to one who waits for you through this world and thenext. 

"Hugh, I am proud of your great deeds. No longer can they mock you as'the merchant's son, ' Sir Hugh. God be with you, as are my prayers andlove. 

"Eve Clavering. "

"I forgot to tell you that Sir Andrew is disturbed in heart. He looksinto a crystal which he says he brought with him from the East, andswears he sees strange sights there, pictures of woe such as have notbeen since the beginning of the world. Of this woe he preaches to thefolk of Dunwich, warning them of judgment to come, and they listenaffrighted because they know him to be a holy man who has a gift fromGod. Yet he says that you and I, Eve, need fear nothing. May it be so, Hugh. --E. "

Now when he had thought awhile and hidden up Eve's letter, Hugh turnedto his father and asked him what were these sermons that Sir Andrewpreached. 

"I heard but one of them, son, " answered Master de Cressi, "though therehave been three. By the Holy Mother! it frightened me so much that Ineeded no more of that medicine. Nor, to tell truth, when I got homeagain could I remember all he said, save that it was of some frightfulill which comes upon the world from the East and will leave itdesolate. "

"And what think folk of such talk, father?"

"Indeed, son, they know not what to think. Most say that he is mad;others say that he is inspired of God. Yet others declare that he is awizard and that his familiar brings him tidings from Cathay, where oncehe dwelt, or perchance, from hell itself. These went to the bishop, whosummoned Sir Andrew and was closeted with him for three hours. Afterwardhe called in the complainers and bade them cease their scandal ofwizardry, since he was sure that what the holy Father said came fromabove and not from below. He added that they would do well to mend theirlives and prepare to render their account, as for his part he shouldalso, since the air was thick with doom. Then he gave his benediction tothe old knight and turned away weeping, and since that hour none talkof wizardry but all of judgment. Men in Dunwich who have quarrelled fromboyhood, forgive each other and sing psalms instead of swearing oaths, and I have been paid debts that have been owing to me for years, allbecause of these sermons. "

"An awesome tale, truly, " said Hugh. "Yet like this bishop I believethat what Sir Andrew says will come to pass, for I know well that he isnot as other men are. "

That night, by special leave, Hugh waited on the King, and with him GreyDick, who was ever his shadow. 

"What is it now, Sir Hugh de Cressi?" asked Edward. 

"Sire, after the great battle, nigh upon a year ago, you told me thatI must serve you till Calais fell. I have served as best I couldand Calais has fallen. Now I ask your leave to go seek my enemy--andyours--Sir Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon. "

"Then you must go far, Sir Hugh, for I have tidings that this rogue whowas not ashamed to wear another man's armour, and so save himselffrom your sword, is away to Italy this six months gone, where, as theSeigneur de Cattrina, he has estates near Venice. But tell me how thingsstand. Doubtless that Red Eve of yours--strangely enough I thoughtof her at Crecy when the sky grew so wondrous at nightfall--is at thebottom of them. "

"That is so, Sire, " and he told him all the tale. 

"A strange case truly, Sir Hugh, " said the King when he had heard itout. "I'll write to Clement for you both, but I doubt me whether youand your Eve will get justice from him, being English. England andEnglishmen find little favour at Avignon just now, and mayhap Philiphas already written on behalf of de Noyon. At the best His Holiness willshear you close and keep you waiting while he weighs the wool. No, RedEve is right: this is a knot soonest severed by the sword. If you shouldfind him, de Noyon could scarce refuse to meet you, for you shall fighthim as the champion of our cause as well as of your own. He's at Venice, for our Envoy there reported it to me, trying to raise a fresh force ofarchers for the French. 

"You have leave to go, Sir Hugh, who deserve much more, having servedus well, " went on the King. "We'll give you letters to Sir GeoffreyCarleon, who represents us there, and through him to the Doge. Farewellto you, Sir Hugh de Cressi, and to you, Captain Richard the Archer. When all this game is played, return and make report to us of youradventures, and of how de Noyon died. The Queen will love to hear thetale, and your nuptials and Red Eve's shall be celebrated at Westminsterin our presence, for you have earned no less. Master Secretary, get yourtools, I will dictate the letters. After they are signed to-morrow, seethem into the hands of Sir Hugh, with others that I will give him forsafe carriage, for alas I have creditors at Venice. Make out an openpatent also to show that he and this captain travel as our messengers, charging all that do us service to forward them upon their journey. "

Three days later Hugh and Grey Dick, in the character of royalmessengers from the King of England to the Doge of Venice, took passagein a great vessel bound for Genoa with a cargo of wool and other goods. On board this ship before he sailed Hugh handed to his father lettersfor Eve and for Sir Andrew Arnold. Also he received from him money inplenty for his faring, and bills of exchange upon certain merchants ofItaly, which would bring him more should it be needed. 

Their parting was very sad, since the prophecies of Sir Andrew had takenno small hold upon Master de Cressi's mind. 

"I fear me greatly, dear son, " he said, "that we part to meet no more. Well, such is the lot of parents. They breed those children that heavendecrees to them; with toil and thought and fears they rear them up frominfancy, learning to love them more than their own souls, for theirsakes fighting a hard world. Then the sons go forth, north and south, and the daughters find husbands and joys and sorrows of their own, andboth half forget them, as is nature's way. Last of all those parentsdie, as also is nature's way, and the half forgetfulness becomes wholeas surely as the young moon grows to full. Well, well, this is a lessonthat each generation must learn in turn, as you will know ere all isdone. Although you are my youngest, I'll not shame to say I have lovedyou best of all, Hugh. Moreover, I've made such provision as I can foryou, who have raised up the old name to honour, and who, as I hope, willonce more blend the de Cressis and the Claverings, the foes of threegenerations, into a single House. "

"Speak not so, father, " answered Hugh, who was moved almost to tears. "Mayhap it is I who shall die, while you live on to a green old age. At least know that I am not forgetful of your love and kindness, seeingthat after Eve you are dearer to me than any on the earth. "

"Ay, ay, after Eve and Eve's children. Still you'll have a kind thoughtfor me now and then, the old merchant who so often thwarted you when youwere a wayward lad--for your own good, as he held. For what more cana father hope? But let us not weep before all these stranger men. Farewell, son Hugh, of whom I am so proud. Farewell, son Hugh, " and heembraced him and went across the gangway, for the sailors were alreadysinging their chanty at the anchor. 

"I never had a father than I can mind, " said Grey Dick aloud to himself, after his fashion, "yet now I wish I had, for I'd like to think on hislast words when there was nothing else to do. It's an ugly world as Isee it, but there's beauty in such love as this. The man for the maidand the maid for the man--pish! they want each other. But the father andthe mother--they give all and take nothing. Oh, there's beauty in suchlove as this, so perhaps God made it. Only, then, how did He also makeCrecy Field, and Calais siege, and my black bow, and me the death whodraws it?"

The voyage to Genoa was very long, for at this season of the year thewinds were light and for the most part contrary. At length, however, Hugh and Dick came there safe and sound. Having landed and bid farewellto the captain and crew of the ship, they waited on the head of a greattrading house with which Master de Cressi had dealings. 

This signor, who could speak French, gave them lodging and welcomedthem well, both for the sake of Hugh's father and because they came asmessengers from the King of England. On the morrow of their arrivalhe took them to a great lord in authority, who was called a Duke. ThisDuke, when he learned that one was a knight and the other a captainarcher of the English army and that they both had fought at Crecy, whereso many of his countrymen--the Genoese bowmen--had been slain, looked onthem somewhat sourly. 

Had he known all the part they played in that battle, in truth hiswelcome would have been rough. But Hugh, with the guile of the serpent, told him that the brave Genoese had been slain, not by the Englisharrows, for which even with their wet strings they were quite a match(here Dick, who was standing to one side grinned faintly and stroked thecase of his black bow, as though to bid it keep its memories to itself), but by the cowardly French, their allies. Indeed Hugh's tale of thathorrible and treacherous slaughter was so moving that the Duke burstinto tears and swore that he would cut the throat of every Frenchman onwhom he could lay hands. 

After this he began to extol the merits of the cross-bow as against thelong arm of the English, and Hugh agreed that there was much in what hesaid. But Grey Dick, who was no courtier, did not agree. Indeed, of asudden he broke in, offering in his bad French to fight any cross-bowman in Genoa at six score yards, so that the Duke might learn which wasthe better weapon. But Hugh trod on his foot and explained that he meantsomething quite different, being no master of the French tongue. So thatcloud passed by. 

The end of it was that this Duke, or Doge, whose name they learned wasSimon Boccanera, gave them safe conduct through all his dominion, withan order for relays of horses. Also he made use of them to take a letterto the Doge of Venice, between which town and Genoa, although they hatedeach other bitterly, there was at the moment some kind of hollow truce. So having drunk a cup of wine with him they bade him farewell. 

Next morning the horses arrived, and with them two led beasts to carrytheir baggage, in charge of a Genoese guide. So they departed on theirlong ride of something over two hundred English miles, which they hopedto cover in about a week. In fact, it took them ten days, for the roadswere very rough and the pack-beasts slow. Once, too, after they hadentered the territory of Venice, they were set on in a defile by fourthieves, and might have met their end had not Grey Dick's eyes been sosharp. As it was he saw them coming, and, having his bow at hand, for hedid not like the look of the country or its inhabitants, leaped to earthand shot two of them with as many arrows, whereon the other two ranaway. Before they went, however, they shot also and killed a pack-beast, so that the Englishmen were obliged to throw away some of their gear andgo on with the one that remained. 

At length, on the eleventh afternoon, they saw the lovely city ofVenice, sparkling like a cluster of jewels, set upon its many islandsamid the blue waters of the Adriatic. Having crossed some two miles ofopen water by a ferry which plied for the convenience of travellers, they entered the town through the western gate, and inquired as bestthey could (for now they had no guide, the Genoese having left them longbefore) for the house of Sir Geoffrey Carleon, the English Envoy. Fora long while they could make no one understand. Indeed, the whole placeseemed to be asleep, perhaps because of the dreadful heat, which layover it like a cloud and seemed to burn them to the very bones. 

Perplexed and outworn, at last Hugh produced a piece of gold and held itbefore a number of men who were watching them idly, again explaining inFrench that he wished to be led to the house of the English ambassador. The sight of the money seemed to wake their wits, for two or three ofthe fellows ran forward quarrelling with each other, till one of themgetting the mastery, seized Hugh's tired horse by the bridle and draggedit down a side street to the banks of a broad canal. 

Here he called something aloud, and presently two men appeared rowinga large, flat-bottomed punt from a dock where it was hidden. Into thisboat the horses and pack-beast were driven, much against their will. Hugh and Dick having followed them, the three Italians began to puntthem along the canal, which was bordered with tall houses. A mile or sofarther on it entered another canal, where the houses were much finerand built in a style of which they had never seen the like, withbeautiful and fantastic arches supported upon pillars. 

At length to their great joy they came opposite to a house over thegateway of which, stirless in the still air, hung a flag whereon wereblazoned the leopards of England. Here the boatmen, pulling in theirpoles, save one to which they made the punt fast in mid-stream, showedby their gestures that they desired to be paid. Hugh handed the piece ofgold to the man who had led them to the boat, whereon he was seized witha fit of uncontrollable fury. He swore, he raved, he took the piece ofgold and cast it down on the bilge-boards, he spat on it and his twocompanions did likewise. 

"Surely they are mad, " said Hugh. 

"Mad or no, I like not the looks of them, " answered Dick. "Have a care, they are drawing their knives, " and as he spoke one of the rogues struckhim in the face; while another strove to snatch away the pouch that hungat his side. 

Now Grey Dick awoke, as it were. To the man who had tried to take hispouch he dealt such a buffet that he plunged into the canal. But him whohad struck him he seized by the arm and twisted it till the knife fellfrom his hand. Then gripping his neck in an iron grasp he forced himdownward and rubbed his nose backward and forward upon the rough edge ofthe boat, for the Italian was but as a child to him when he put out hisstrength. 

In vain did his victim yell for mercy. He showed him none, till atlength wearying of the game, he dealt him such a kick that he also flewover the thwarts to join his fellow-bully in the water. 

Then seeing how it had gone with his companions who, sorely damaged, swam to the farther side of the canal and vanished, the third man, hewhom they had first met, sheathed his knife. With many bows and cringeshe pulled up the pole and pushed the punt to the steps of the house overwhich the flag hung, where people were gathering, drawn by the clamour. 

"Does Sir Geoffrey Carleon dwell here?" asked Hugh in a loud voice, whereon a gentleman with a pale face and a grizzled beard who appearedto be sick, for he was leaning on a staff, hobbled from out the porch, saying:

"Ay, ay, that is my name. Who are you that make this tumult at my gates?Another turbulent Englishman, I'll be bound. "

"Ay, sir, an Englishman called Sir Hugh de Cressi, and his companion, Richard the Archer, whom these rogues have tried to rob and murder, messengers from his Grace King Edward. "

Now Sir Geoffrey changed his tone. 

"Your pardon if I spoke roughly, Sir Hugh, but we poor Envoys have todo with many rufflers from our own land. Enter, I pray you. My servantswill see to your gear and horses. But first, what is the trouble betweenyou and these fellows?"

Hugh told him briefly. 

"Ah!" he said, "a common trick with foreigners. Well for you that nighthad not fallen, since otherwise they might have rowed you up some backwaterway and there done you to death. The canals of Venice hide thetraces of many such foul deeds. Mother of Heaven!" he added, "why, thisboatman is none other than Giuseppe, the noted bravo, " and he turned andin Italian bade his servants seize the man. 

But Giuseppe had heard enough. Springing into the water he swam like aduck for the farther bank of the canal, and, gaining it, ran swiftly forsome alley, where he vanished. 

"He's gone, " said Sir Geoffrey, "and as well hunt with a lantern for arat in a sewer as for him. Well, we have his boat, which shall be sentto the magistrate with letters of complaint. Only, Sir Hugh, be carefulto wear mail when you walk about at night, lest that villain and hismates should come to collect their fare with a stiletto. Now, enter andfear not for your goods. My folk are honest. God's name! how fearful isthis heat. None have known its like. Steward, give me your arm. "

An hour later and Hugh, clad in fresh garments of sweet linen, bathedand shaved, sat at table in a great, cool room with Sir Geoffrey and hislady, a middle-aged and anxious-faced woman, while Grey Dick ate at alower board with certain of the Envoy's household. 

"I have read the letters which concern the business of his Grace theKing, " said Sir Geoffrey, who was toying languidly with some Southernfruits, for he would touch no meat. "They have to do with moneys thathis Grace owes to great bankers of this city but does not yet find itconvenient to discharge. I have seen their like before, and to-morrowmust deal with them as best I may--no pleasant business, for theseusurers grow urgent, " and he sighed. "But, " he added, "the King saysthat you, Sir Hugh de Cressi, whom he names his 'brave, trusty and mostwell beloved knight and companion in war, '" and he bowed courteously toHugh, "have another business which he commands me to forward by everymeans in my power, and that without fail. What is this business, SirHugh?"

"It is set out, Sir Geoffrey, in a letter from his Grace to the Doge ofVenice, which I am to ask you to deliver. Here it is. Be pleased to readit, it is open. "

The Envoy took the letter and read it, lifting his eyebrows as he didso. 

"By St. Mark, --he's the right saint to swear by in Venice"--he exclaimedwhen he had finished, "this is a strange affair. You have travelledhither to offer single combat to Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon andSeigneur of Cattrina. The Doge is urged by his friendship to the throneof England to bring about this combat to the death, seeing that de Noyonhas broken his oath of homage, has plotted to overthrow King Edward, hasfought against him and that therefore you are his Grace's champion aswell as the avenger of certain private wrongs which you will explain. That's the letter. Well, I think the Doge will listen to it, because hescarce dare do otherwise who wishes no quarrel with our country just nowwhen it is victorious. Also this de Noyon, whom we call Cattrina here, has allied himself with certain great men of the Republic, with whom heis connected by blood, who are secret enemies to the Doge. Through themhe strives to stir up trouble between Venice and England, and to raisemercenaries to serve the flag of France, as did the Genoese, to theirsorrow. Therefore I think that in the Doge you will find a friend. Ithink also that the matter, being brought forward with such authority, the Seigneur de Cattrina will scarcely care to refuse your challenge ifyou can show that you have good cause for quarrel against him, sincein such affairs the Venetians are punctilious. But now tell me the talethat I may judge better. "

So Hugh told him all. 

"A strange story and a good cause, " said Sir Geoffrey when he had done. "Only this Cattrina is dangerous. Had he known you came to Venice, mayhap you had never lived to reach my house. Go armed, young knight, especially after the sun sinks. I'll away to write to the Doge, settingout the heads of the matter and asking audience. The messenger shallleave ere I sleep, if sleep I may in this heat. Bide you here and talkwith my lady, if it so pleases you, for I would show you my letter erewe bid good-night, and the thing is pressing. We must catch Cattrinabefore he gets wind of your presence in Venice. "

CHAPTER XI

THE CHALLENGE

"How long is it since you have seen England, Sir Hugh?" asked DameCarleon languidly. 

"Some eighteen months, lady, although in truth it seems more, for manythings have happened to me in that time. "

"Eighteen months only! Why, 'tis four long years since I looked uponthe downs of Sussex, which are my home, the dear downs of Sussex, that Ishall see never again. "

"Why say you so, lady, who should have many years of life before you?"

"Because they are done, Sir Hugh. Oh, in my heart I feel that they aredone. That should not grieve me, since my only child is buried in thisglittering, southern city whereof I hate the sounds and sights that mencall so beautiful. Yet I would that I might have been laid at last inthe kind earth of Sussex where for generations my forbears have beenborne to rest, " and suddenly she began to weep. 

"What ails you, lady? You are not well?"

"Oh, I know not. I think it is the heat or some presage of woe to come, not to me only, but to all men. Look, nature herself is sick, " and sheled him to the broad balcony of the chamber and pointed to long linesof curious mist which in the bright moonlight they could see creepingtoward Venice from the ocean, although what wind there was appeared tobe off land. 

"Those fogs are unnatural, " she went on. "At this season of the yearthere should be none, and these come, not from the lagoons, but up fromthe sea where no such vapours were ever known to rise. The physicianssay that they foretell sickness, whereof terrible rumours have for sometime past reached us from the East, though none know whether these betrue or false. "

"The East is a large place, where there is always sickness, lady, or soI have heard. "

"Ay, ay, it is the home of Death, and I think that he travels to usthence. And not only I, not only I; half the folk in Venice think thesame, though why, they cannot tell. Listen. "

As she spoke, the sound of solemn chanting broke upon Hugh's ear. Nearerit grew, and nearer, till presently there emerged from a side street aprocession of black monks who bore in front of them a crucifix of whiteivory. Along the narrow margin which lay between the houses and thecanal they marched, followed by a great multitude of silent people. 

"It is a dirge for the dead that they sing, " said Dame Carleon, "and yetthey bury no man. Oh! months ago I would have escaped from this city, and we had leave to go. But then came orders from the King that we mustbide here because of his creditors. So here we bide for good and all. Hush! I hear my husband coming; say nothing of my talk, it angers him. Rest you well, Sir Hugh. "

"Truly that lady has a cheerful mind, " grumbled Grey Dick, when she hadgone, leaving them alone upon the balcony. "Ten minutes more of her andI think I should go hang myself, or squat upon these stones and howl atthe moon like a dog or those whimpering friars. "

Hugh made no answer, for he was thinking of his father's tale of theprophecies of Sir Andrew Arnold, and how they grew sad in Dunwich also. In truth, like Lady Carleon, he found it in his heart to wish that hetoo were clear of Venice, which he had reached with so much toil. 

"Bah!" he said presently, "this place stinks foully. It puts me in mindof some woman, most beauteous indeed, but three days dead. Let us goin. "

On the following morning, while they sat at breakfast, there came amessenger from the Doge of Venice, whose name Hugh learned was AndreaDandolo, bearing a letter sealed with a great seal. This letter, whenopened, was found to be from some high officer. It stated that the Dogewould hold a Court at noon, after which it was his pleasure to receivethe English knight who came as a messenger from the mighty monarch, KingEdward, and to talk with him on matters set out in the letter of SirGeoffrey Carleon. The writing added that the Seigneur of Cattrina, whoin France was known as the Count de Noyon and in England as Sir EdmundAcour, would be present at the Court and doubtless ready to answer allquestions that might be put to him. 

"Then at last we shall come face to face, " said Hugh, with a fiercelaugh. 

"Yes, master, " put in Dick, "but you've done that several times beforeand always ended back to back. Pray the Saints such may not be thefinish of this meeting also. "

Then he turned and went to clean his master's armour, for in thismartial dress, notwithstanding the great heat, Hugh determined to appearbefore the Doge. It was good armour, not that, save for the sword, whichSir Arnold had given him, whereat the Court at Windsor had laughed asout of date, but mail of a newer fashion, some of it, from the bodies ofknights who fell at Crecy, after which battle such wares had been cheap. 

Still, Dick could have wished that it had been better for so fine anoccasion, seeing that it was marked with many a battle dint and thatright across the Cressi cognizance, which Hugh had painted on his shieldafter he was knighted--a golden star rising from an argent ocean--was ascar left by the battle-axe of a Calais man-at-arms. Moreover Hugh, orrather Dick, took with him other armour, namely, that of the knight, SirPierre de la Roche, whom Hugh had killed at Crecy thinking that he wasEdmund Acour, whose mail Pierre wore. 

For the rest, Dick clad himself in his uniform of a captain of archersof King Edward's guard, wearing a green tunic over his mail shirt, and asteel-lined cap from which rose a heron's plume, pinned thereto with hisGrace's golden arrow. 

All being ready they started in a painted barge, accompanied by SirGeoffrey Carleon, who wore his velvet robe of office, and grumbled atits weight and warmth. A row of some fifteen minutes along the greatcanal brought them to a splendid portal upon the mole, with marblesteps. Hence they were conducted by guards across a courtyard, wherestood many gaily dressed people who watched them curiously, especiallyGrey Dick, whose pale, sinister face caused them to make a certain signwith their fingers, to avert the evil eye, as Sir Geoffrey explainedto them. Leaving this courtyard they went up more steps and along greatcorridors into the finest apartment that they had ever seen. It was aglitter of gold and marble, and rich with paintings. 

Here on a kind of throne sat the Doge Dandolo, an imperial-looking man, magnificently attired. Guards stood like statues behind him, while infront, talking together and moving from place to place, were gatheredall the great nobles of Venice, with their beauteous ladies. From timeto time the Doge summoned one or other of these, who was called to himby a black-robed secretary. Advancing with bows the courtier talked tohim a while, then was dismissed by a gracious motion of the hand. 

As the Englishmen entered this hall a herald called their names thusfrom a written slip of paper:

"The Cavalier Geoffrey Carleon, Ambassador of England. The Cavalier Hughde Cressi, Messenger from the King of England, and the Captain RichardArcher, his companion. "

Now all talk was hushed and every eye turned to scan these strangers ofwhose business, it would seem, something was already known. 

"A fine man, " said one lady to another of Hugh, "but why does he comehere in dinted armour?"

"Oh! he is English and the English are barbarians who like to be readyto cut some one's throat, " answered her companion. "But Holy Jesus!look at the long fellow with the death's head who walks behind him, andcarries his luggage in a sack. His face makes my back creep. "

Fortunately neither Hugh nor Dick understood these and other suchsayings which Sir Geoffrey repeated to them afterward and thereforewalked on with their host unconcerned. Once, however, Grey Dick nudgedhis master and whispered in his ear:

"Be glad, our man is here. It is he who mocks us to those popinjays. Nay, turn not to look; you will see plenty of his sweet face presently. "

Now they stood before the chair of state, from which the Doge rose, and advanced two steps to greet the Ambassador of England. When thesecourtesies were over Sir Geoffrey presented Hugh to him, to whomhe bowed, and Dick, whose salute he acknowledged with a wave of hisjewelled hand. Afterward they talked, all crowding round to listen, SirGeoffrey himself, who spoke Italian well, acting as the interpreter. 

"You come hither, Cavalier de Cressi, " said the Doge, "on behalf of hisroyal Grace, King Edward, who speaks of you in his letter in terms ofwhich any knight may well be proud. We understand that this captainwith you is your companion, " and he glanced curiously at Dick out of thecorners of his dark eyes, adding, "If those are gifts which he bearsin that leathern sack and the long case in his hand, let our servantsrelieve him of them. "

"Let his servants leave me alone, " growled Grey Dick when this wastranslated. "Say to this fine lord, Sir Knight, that the gifts in thesack are not for him, and that which the case scatters he would scarcelycare to have. "

Sir Geoffrey made some explanation in a low voice, and with a smile theDoge waved the matter by, then said:

"Will the noble cavalier be so good as to set out his business, unlessit is for our private ear alone?"

Hugh answered that it was for the public ear of all Venice, andespecially for that of the lord who was called Sir Edmund Acour inEngland, the Count de Noyon in France, and the Seigneur of Cattrina inItaly. 

"Will you pleased to point out this lord to us, " said the Doge, glancingat the gorgeous throng which was gathered behind them. 

"I cannot, illustrious Doge, " answered Hugh, "that is, with certainty. As it chances I have seen his face but twice--once in a marsh when I hadother things to think of who must watch my enemy's sword, and once ateve in the corner of a dark chapel, where he had just gone through therite of marriage with a lady whom he had drugged, which lady was myaffianced wife. Often afterward I sought to see that face, especially inthe great fray of Crecy, but failed, in a case which with your leave Iwill narrate to you. "

Now when all that company understood the meaning of these outspokenwords, they swayed to and fro and whispered like reeds in an eveningwind. Presently above this whispering a soft yet penetrating voice washeard to say:

"If this English knight desires to study the poor face of Acour, deNoyon, and Cattrina, he who owns it is much honoured and prays yourExcellency's leave to wait upon his pleasure. "

So saying a tall and noble-looking man, who wore the badge of a whiteswan worked in pearls upon his rich tunic, stepped forward out of thering of courtiers and bowed, first to the Doge and next to Hugh. 

De Cressi looked at his handsome face with its quick dark eyes andlittle, square-cut, black beard, and answered:

"I thank you, Sir Edmund Acour, for I take it you are he. Now I shallnever forget you again, for though a man may shift his armour he cannotchange his countenance"--a saying at which de Noyon coloured a littleand looked down uneasily. 

"Cavalier de Cressi, he whom you seek is before you; we ourselves vouchfor his identity, " said the Doge. "Now be pleased to set out your case. "

"My private case I thrust to one side, " answered Hugh, Sir Geoffreyinterpreting all the time, "for it is a matter between this Count, acertain lady and myself, and can wait. That which I have to lay beforeyou, Illustrious, has to do with my master the King of England, as whosechampion I am here to-day. I accuse this lord of the three names ofblack treachery to his august liege, Edward, all details of whichtreason I am prepared to furnish, and on behalf of that most puissantmonarch I challenge him to single combat, as I am empowered andcommissioned to do. "

"Why should I fight the King of England's bravoes?" inquired Acour ina languid voice of those who stood about him, a question at which theylaughed. 

"If the charge of treason is not sufficient, " went on Hugh, "I'll add toit one of cowardice. At the battle of Crecy, as a man here will bear mewitness, " and he pointed to Dick, "I overcame in single combat a knightwho wore upon his shield the cognizance of a wolf and on his helm awolf's head, which were the arms of Sir Pierre de la Roche. At thisknight's prayer I spared his life, for that day we took no prisoners, and let him go. Afterward I fought with another knight carrying thecognizance of a white swan, the arms of the Count de Noyon, and slewhim in fair and single fight. But before he died he told me that he borethat armour by command of his lord, the Count de Noyon, and that thesaid Count fought that day in his mail because he feared the vengeanceof the King of England and my own. Thus it came about that the Wolf whofought paid the price for the Swan who fled away, hid in the armour ofhis friend, whom he left to die for him. "

There followed a great silence, for all those noble lords and ladieswho thought little of treason, which to most of them was a very familiarthing, were not a little stirred by this tale of cowardice and falsearms. The Doge said:

"Noble Cattrina, you have heard the story of the English knight. What doyou answer to it?"

"Only that it is a lie, Illustrious, like everything else that he hastold us, " replied Acour with a shrug of his broad shoulders. 

"You said that you had a witness, Cavalier de Cressi, " said the Doge. "Where is he?"

"Here, " answered Hugh. "Stand forward, Dick, and tell what you saw. "

Dick obeyed, and in his low, rasping voice, with more detail than Hughhad given, set out the story of those two combats at Crecy, of thesparing of the wolf knight and the slaying of the swan knight. 

"What say you now, noble Cattrina?" asked the Doge. 

"I say that the man lies even better than his master, " answered Acourcoolly, and all the Court laughed. 

"Illustrious, " said Hugh, "doubtless you have some herald at your Court. I pray that he may fetch his book and tell us what are the arms of deNoyon and Cattrina, with all their colourings and details. "

The Doge beckoned to an officer in a broidered tabard, who with bows, without needing to fetch any book, described the crest and arms ofCattrina in full particular. He added that, to his knowledge, these wereborne by no other family or man in Italy, France, or England. 

"Then you would know them if you saw them?" said Hugh. 

"Certainly, cavalier. On it I stake my repute as a herald. "

Now while all wondered what this talk might mean, the Doge and Acourmost of any, although the latter grew uneasy, fearing he knew not what, Hugh whispered to Dick. Then Dick loosed the mouth of the leather sackhe carried, and out of it tumbled on to the marble floor a whole suit ofblood-stained armour. 

"Whence came these?" asked Hugh of Dick. 

"Off the body of the night, Sir Pierre de la Roche, whom you slew atCrecy. I stripped him of them myself. "

"Whose crest and cognizance are these, herald?" asked Hugh again, lifting the helm and shield and holding them on high that all might see. 

The herald stepped forward and examined them. 

"Without doubt, " he said slowly, "they are those of the lord ofCattrina. Moreover, " he added, "five years ago I limned yonder swanupon this very shield with my own hand. I did it as a favour to Cattrinathere, who said that he would trust the task to none but an artist. "

Now the silence grew intense, so much so that the rustle of a lady'sdress sounded loud in the great hall. 

"What say you now, my lord of Cattrina?" asked the Doge. 

"I say that there is some mistake, Illustrious. Even if there werenone, " he added slowly, "for their own good and lawful purposes knightshave changed armour before to-day. "

"There is no mistake!" cried Hugh in a ringing voice. "This signor of somany names is a signor of many coats also, which he can change to savehis skin. He wore that of Sir Pierre de la Roche to protect himself fromthe vengeance of the King of England and of the English squire whom hehad wronged. He took mercy from the hand of that squire, who, as he knewwell, would have shown him none had he guessed the truth. He left thepoor knight, whom he had bribed to be his double, to die beneath thatsame squire's hand who thought him named de Noyon. Therefore the bloodof this de la Roche is on his head. Yet these are small matters ofprivate conduct, and one that is greater overtops them. This false lord, as Sir Edmund Acour, swore fealty to Edward of England. Yet while he wasbound by that sacred oath he plotted to depose Edward and to set up onhis throne the Duke of Normandy. 

"The King of England learned of that plot through me, and gave me chargeto kill or capture the traitor. But when we came face to face in aconsecrated church where I thought it sacrilege to draw sword, he, whohad just done me bitter wrong, stayed not to answer the wrong. He slunkaway into the darkness, leaving me felled by a treacherous blow. Thencehe fled to France and stirred up war against his liege lord under theOriflamme of King Philip. Now that this banner is in the dust he hasfled again to Venice, and here, as I have heard, broods more mischief. Once, when after the sack of Caen I sent him my challenge, he returnedto me an insolent answer that he did not fight with merchants' sons--hewho could take mercy from the hand of a merchant's son. 

"Now that for deeds done a King has made me knight, and now thatthis King under his seal and sign has named me his champion, in yourpresence, Illustrious, and in that of all your Court, I challengeCattrina again to single combat to the death with lance and sword anddagger. Yes, and I name him coward and scullion if he refuses this, KingEdward's gage and mine, " and drawing the gauntlet from his left hand, Hugh cast it clattering to the marble floor at de Noyon's feet. 

A babel of talk broke out in the great hall, and with it some _vivas_and clapping of hands, for Hugh had spoken boldly and well; moreover, the spectators read truth in his grey eyes. A dark figure in priest'srobe--it was that of Father Nicholas, the secretary who had brewed RedEve's potion--glided up to Cattrina and whispered swiftly in his ear. Then the Doge lifted his hand and there was silence. 

"My lord of Cattrina, " he said, "Sir Hugh de Cressi, speaking as thechampion of our ally, the King of England, has challenged you to singlecombat _à outrance_. What say you?"

"I, Illustrious?" he answered in his rich voice, drawling out his wordslike one who is weary. "Oh, of course, I say that if yon brawler wishesto find a grave in fair Venice, which is more than he deserves, I am notthe man to thwart him, seeing that his cut-throat King----"

"As the ambassador of that King I protest, " broke in Sir Geoffrey. "Itis an insult that such a word should be used before me. "

"I accept the protest of his Excellency, who forgot his noble presence, "replied Cattrina bowing back. "Seeing that his King, who is not acut-throat"--here a titter of laughter went through the company, thoughit was evident from the frown upon his face that the Doge liked thejest ill--"has chosen to make a knight of this de Cressi. Or so he says, which will show you, friends all, how hard it must be to find gentlemenin England. "

Again the company tittered, though Dick's grey face turned scarlet andhe bit upon his pale lip until the blood ran. 

"As you accept the challenge, " broke in the Doge shortly, "cease fromgibes, my lord, which more befit an angry woman's mouth than that ofone whose life is about to be put to hazard, and take up the gage of hisGrace of England. "

Cattrina looked round and bade a page who waited on his person obey theDoge's command, saying:

"Your pardon, most Illustrious, if I do not touch that glove myself, as it seems somewhat foul. I think it must have served its owner in hisuseful labours at the dyer's vat before his master made him noble. "

Now it was Hugh's turn to colour, but when he understood the insult GreyDick could contain himself no more. 

"Ay, Sir Cheat and Traitor, " he said in his hissing voice. "The vat inwhich it has been dipped was that of the life-blood of your dupe, SirPierre de la Roche, and of many a nobler Norman. Oh, did we not standwhere we do I'd thrust it down your false throat, and with it twist outyour slanderous tongue. "

"Peace, peace!" cried the Doge, while those present who understoodEnglish translated Dick's wild words to their neighbours, and Cattrinalaughed mockingly at the success of his sneer. "Have I not said thatsuch words are unseemly? Ah! I thought it; well, my lord, you havebrought it on yourself. "

For while he spoke, the page, a mincing young man tied up with bows andribbon like a woman, had lifted the glove. Holding it between his thumband forefinger, he returned it to Hugh with a low, mock bow, beingcareful as he did so, as all might see, to tread upon Dick's footand hustle him. Next moment two things happened. The first was that, dropping his cased bow, Grey Dick seized that young in his iron grip andhurled him into the air so that he fell heavily on the marble floor andlay there stunned, the blood running from his nose and mouth. The secondwas that, seizing his gauntlet, Hugh strode to where Cattrina stood, andstruck him with it across the face, saying:

"Let your lips kiss what your fingers are too fine to touch. "

With an oath Cattrina drew his sword and out flashed Hugh's in answer, as he cried:

"Ay, here and now if you will! Here and now!"

Then the Guard rushed in and forced them apart. 

"Is this a place for brawling?" cried Dandolo in wrath, adding: "YetI cannot blame the Englishmen overmuch, seeing that they were soreaffronted, as I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears. Be silent, my lord of Cattrina. After your fashion you make trouble at my Court. And--hearken all--blood so hot had best be quickly cooled lest one orother of these knights should take a fever. Moreover, the noble Cattrinahas but to-day asked my leave to ride from Venice to-morrow, havingurgent business at Avignon at the Court of Pope Clement. So I decreethat this combat _à outrance_ shall take place in our presence on theCampo del Marte to-morrow, three hours before noon, ere the sun growstoo hot. To all the details of the combat our heralds will attendforthwith. Officer, take soldiers and escort the Ambassador and theChampion of his Grace of England, together with this Captain of Archers, back to their own door. Set guards there and see that none molest themby word or deed under pain of fine and strait imprisonment. Sir GeoffreyCarleon, your requests are granted; be pleased to write it to the mostpuissant Edward, whom you serve, and for this time fare you well. Why, what is it, Captain Ambrosio?" he added irritably, addressing araw-boned, lantern-jawed giant of a man clad in the splendid uniform ofthe Guard who stepped before his throne and saluted. 

"Most Illustrious, " said Ambrosio, in bad, guttural Italian, "my motherwas a Swiss. "

"Then congratulations to the Swiss, Ambrosio, but what of it?"

"Very Illustrious, " replied the captain in his hollow voice, "the Swissare brave and do not swallow insults. That lad whom the Englishmankicked, or smote, or tossed like a bull, " and he pointed to the poorpage, who, still senseless, was being carried from the hall, "is myyoungest brother, who resembles our Venetian father somewhat more than Ido. "

"We see it, we see it. Indeed are you sure that the father was----" andthe Doge checked himself. "The point, captain; we would dine. "

"Illustrious, I would avenge my brother and myself on the Englishman, whom I will beat to a jelly, " said the giant. "I crave leave to fighthim to-morrow when the lord Cattrina fights his master, " and advancingtoward Grey Dick he made as though he would pull his nose. 

"What is it he wants?" asked Grey Dick, staring up at the great fellowwith a look in his eyes that caused Ambrosio to cease flourishing hisfists. 

The challenge was translated to him, and its reason. "Oh, " said Dick, "tell him I am much obliged and that I will fight him with the bow orwith the axe and dagger, or with all three. Then we will see whether hebeats me to a jelly, or whether I cut him into collops, who, as I think, needs shortening. "

Now the Captain Ambrosio consulted with his friends, who with muchearnestness prayed him have nothing to do with arrows. They pointedout that there his bulk would put him at a disadvantage, especially indealing with an English archer who had an eye like a snake and a facelike that of death itself. 

In short, one and all they recommended the battle-axe and the dagger ashis most appropriate weapons--since his adversary refused swords. Thebattle-axe with which to knock him down, as he could easily do, being sostrong, and the dagger with which to finish him. 

When this was explained to Grey Dick he assented to the proposal witha kind of unholy joy that was almost alarming to those who saw it. Moreover, as neither of them had gauntlets to throw down or pick up, hestretched out his hand to seal the bargain, which, incautiously enough, the huge, half-breed Swiss accepted. 

Dick's grasp, indeed, was so firm and long that presently the giant wasobserved first to move uneasily, secondly to begin to dance and thirdlyto shout out with pain. 

"What is the matter?" asked his friends. 

"The matter is, " he groaned, as Dick let go, "that this son of Satanhas a blacksmith's vise in place of a hand, " and he showed his greatfingers, from beneath the nails of which the blood was oozing. 

His Venetian companions of the Guard looked at them, then they looked atGrey Dick and gave him a wide berth. Also Ambrosio said something abouthaving offered to fight a man and not a fiend. But it was too late toretract, for the Doge, taking, as was natural, no share in this smallmatter, had already left his throne. 

Then, escorted by Sir Geoffrey and the city Guards, Hugh and Grey Dickpassed through that splendid company away home to dinner, Dick carryinghis bow-case in one hand and the sack of armour which de Noyon had notthought fit to claim in the other. 

In the midst of dead silence, they departed, for now no one seemed tofind either of them a fit subject for jest. Indeed there were some whosaid, as they watched the pair pass the door, that Cattrina and thegiant would do well to consult a lawyer and a priest that night. 

CHAPTER XII

THE MAN FROM THE EAST

In a great, cool room of his splendid Venetian palace, Sir Edmund Acour, Seigneur of Cattrina sat in consultation with the priest Nicholas. Clearly he was ill at ease; his face and his quick, impatient movementsshowed it. 

"You arrange badly, " he said in a voice quite devoid of its ordinarymelodious tones. "Everything goes wrong. How is it you did not know thatthis accursed Englishman and his Death's-head were coming here? What isthe use of a spy who never spies? Man, they should have been met uponthe road, for who can be held answerable for what brigands do? Or, atthe least, I might have started for Avignon two days earlier. "

"Am I omnipotent, lord, that I should be held able to read the minds ofmen in far countries and to follow their footsteps?" asked the aggrievedNicholas. "Still it might have been guessed that this bulldog of aBriton would hang to your heels till you kick out his brains or he pullsyou down. Bah! the sight of that archer, who cannot miss, always givesme a cold pain in the stomach, as though an arrow-point were workingthrough my vitals. I pity yonder poor fool of a Swiss to-morrow, forwhat chance has he against a fish-eyed wizard?"

"Ten thousand curses on the Swiss!" said Acour. "He thrust himself intothe affair and will deserve all he gets. I pity myself. You know I am nocoward, as not a few have learned before to-day, but I have little luckagainst this Englishman. I tell you that there at Crecy I went downbefore him like a ninepin, and he spared my life. My God! he spared mylife, being a fool like all his breed. And now the tale is known againstme and that of the changed armour, too. Why could not de la Roche diewithout speaking, the faithless hound whom I had fed so well! So, so, regrets are vain; de Cressi is here, and must be faced or I be shamed. "

"You may be killed as well as shamed, " Nicholas suggested unpleasantly. "It is certain that either you or that Englishman will die to-morrow, since he's set for no fancy tilting with waving of ladies' kerchiefs andtinsel crowns of victory, and so forth. Merchant bred or not, he is asturdy fighter, as we all learned in France. Moreover, his heart is fullwith wrong, and the man whose quarrel is just is always to be feared. "

"A pest on you!" snarled Cattrina. "Have you the evil eye that you thencroak disaster in my ears? Look you, priest, I must come through thisgame unharmed. Death is a companion I do not seek just yet, who have toomuch to live for--power and wealth and high renown, if my plans succeed;and as you should know, they are well laid. Moreover, there is thatEnglish girl, Red Eve, my wife, from whose sweet side you made me flee. I tell you, Nicholas, I burn for her and had rather taste her hatethan the love of any other woman on the earth. Now, too, the Pope hassummoned me to Avignon, and her also, to lay our causes before him. Being bold, mayhap she will come, for his Holiness has sent hersafe-conduct under his own hand. Nor has he mentioned--for I saw a copyof the brief--that the same business will take me to Avignon about thistime. Well, if she comes she will not go away again alone; the Frenchroads are too rough for ladies to travel unescorted. And if she doesnot come, at least our marriage will be declared valid and I'll take herwhen and where I can, and her wealth with her, which will be useful. "

"Only then, lord, you must not die, nor even be wounded, to-morrow. Itis the Englishman who should die, for whatever the Pope may decree Ithink that while de Cressi lives the slumbrous eyes of that Eve of yourswill find a way to charm you to a sleep that has no wakening. She isnot a fair-haired toy that weeps, forgets and at last grows happy in herbabe. She's a woman to make men or break them. Oh, when her sense cameback to her, for a flash she looked me cold yonder in that Englishchapel, and it seemed to me that God's curse was in her stare. "

"You've caught the terror, Nicholas, like so many just now in Venice. Why, to-day I've not met a man or woman who is not afraid of something, they know not what--save the Englishman and his death's-head. I think'tis the unwholesome air of this strange season, and all the signs andomens we hear of on every side that conjure vapours to the brain. "

"Yes, I've the terror, " said Nicholas with something like a groan. "Every sin I ever did--and most of them have been for you, lord--seemsto haunt my sleep. Yes, and to walk with me when I wake, preaching woeat me with fiery tongues that repentance or absolution cannot quench orstill. "

"Yet, Nicholas, I think that you must add one more to their count, ora share of it, which should weigh light among so many. Either I orde Cressi must pack for our last journey, and if we meet face to faceto-morrow, how know I that it will be de Cressi? Better far that weshould not meet. "

"Lord, lord, you cannot fly! He is King Edward's champion, so proclaimedbefore all whose names are written in the Golden Book of Venice. Hewould cry your shame in every Court, and so would they. There's not aknight in Europe but would spit upon you as a dastard, or a common wenchbut would turn you her back! You cannot fly!"

"Nay, fool, but he can die--and before to-morrow. What makes your brainso dull, Nicholas? It is not its wont. "

"Ah, I see--not flight, murder. I had forgotten; it is not a usual sauceto a banquet of honour even in Italy, and therefore, perhaps, the saferto serve. But how is it to be done? Poison? He is in Carleon'shouse; Carleon has faithful servants. Though perhaps a basket of rarefruits--but then he might not eat them; those Englishmen live mostly onhalf-raw meat. The signora would probably eat them, and the others. "

"Nay, no more of your drugs; your skill in them is too well known. Come, these men have been watched since they set foot in Venice. Have theyoffended none besides myself and the Swiss?"

A look of intelligence crept into the eyes of Nicholas. 

"Now that you mention it, lord, they have. There is a certain boatmanand bravo called Giuseppe. With him and his mates they quarrelled abouttheir fare and threw them into the canal in front of the ambassador'shouse, just because they drew a knife or two. A woman I know told me ofit. He's a great villain, this Giuseppe, who would do anything for tenpieces, also revengeful and a hater of cold water. "

"Send for him, Nicholas, or send this woman to him--that may be safer. Ten pieces! I'll pay him fifty. "

"Ay, lord, but the Englishman may not give him a chance. Only foolswould go out walking in Venice along after dark if they should happento have enemies here, and the house is watched by the Doge's Guards. Yet one can try. Fortune loves the brave, and Englishmen are very greatfools. They might stroll abroad to see the moon rise over the Adriatic. "

"Try, Nicholas, try as you never tried before. Succeed, too, lest youand I should part company and you never be named abbot after all. "

The afternoon of the day of their reception by the Doge was well filledfor Hugh and Dick. Scarcely had they eaten with their host when theMarshal and his officers arrived with the articles of the Morrow'scombat very fully drawn up, each of which must be considered with thehelp of Sir Geoffrey Carleon, lest they should hide some trick, before they confirmed them with their signatures. Not that Hugh wasover-anxious about the details. As he said to Sir Geoffrey, all hesought was to come face to face with his enemy, even if he had but aclub for a weapon. 

At length these articles were signed and the Marshal departed with hisfee, for they must be paid for as though they were a legal document. Next Hugh must try various horses from Sir Geoffrey's stable, and chooseone of them as his war steed for the morrow, since the beast he hadridden to Venice was in no condition to bear a full-armed knight. In theend he selected a grey gelding, quiet of temperament and rather heavyof build, which it was reported had been used by its former owner inseveral tournaments and there borne itself handsomely. This done, wellor ill, his armour must be seen to, and Dick's also, such as it was; hislance tested, and all their other weapons sharpened on a whetstone thatSir Geoffrey borrowed. For this was a task that Grey Dick would leave tono other hand. 

At length all was prepared as well as possible in such haste, and theywent to supper with Lady Carleon, who, now she understood that they wereto fight for their lives on the morrow, was more mournful even than shehad been on the previous night. When at last she asked what they desiredas to their funerals and if they had any tokens to be sent to friendsin England, Hugh, whose thoughts were already sad enough, could bear nomore of it. So he rose, saying that he would seek Sir Geoffrey, who wasalready in his cabinet engaged upon a letter to King Edward descriptiveof these events and other business. But when they were out of the roomhe said that he must have fresh air or he would faint, which was notstrange, seeing that heat prevailed on this night in Venice of anintensity unknown there at this season of the year. 

"Whither shall we go?" asked Dick, mopping his brow. "Guards stand atthe door and, I doubt, will not let us pass. "

"I wish to see the place where we are to fight to-morrow, " answeredHugh, "so as to form my judgment of it, if only we may come there. "

At this moment an English lad of Sir Geoffrey's household chanced topass by, having come to ask as to the feeding of the horse which Hughshould ride. Dick caught him by the arm and asked whether he could getthem out of the house secretly, so that the Guards would not see them, and conduct them to the spot called the Place of Arms, where theyunderstood they were to fight. 

The lad, whose name was David Day, replied somewhat doubtfully that hecould do so by a back door near the kitchen, and guide them also, butthat they must protect him from the anger of Sir Geoffrey. This Hughpromised to do. So presently they started, carrying their weapons, butwearing no mail because of the intense heat, although Dick reminded hismaster how they had been told that they should not venture forth withoutbody armour. 

"I have a sword and you have bow and axe, " answered Hugh, "so we'll riskit. In leather-lined mail we should surely melt. "

So they put on some light cloaks made of black silk, with hoods to them, such as the Venetians wore at their masques, for David knew where thesewere to be found. Slipping out quite unobserved by the kitchen door intoa little courtyard, they passed into an unlighted back street through apostern gate whereof the lad had the key. At the end of the street theycame to a canal, where David, who talked Italian perfectly, hailed aboat, into which they entered without exciting remark. For this sharpyouth pointed to their cloaks and told the boatman that they weregallants engaged upon some amorous adventure. 

On they rowed down the silent lanes of water, through the slumbrouscity of palaces, turning here, turning there, till soon they lostall knowledge of the direction in which they headed. At length Davidwhispered to them that they drew near the place where they must land. Everybody seemed to speak in a whisper that heavy night, even the folk, generally so light of heart and quick of tongue, who sat on the stepsor beneath the porticoes of their houses gasping for air, and thepassers-by on the _rivas_ or footwalks that bordered the canals. At asign from David the boat turned inward and grated against the steps ofa marble quay. He paid the boatman, who seemed to have no energy left todispute the fare, telling him in the same low voice that if he caredto wait he might perhaps row them back within an hour or so. Then theyclimbed steps and entered a narrow street where there was no canal, oneither side of which stood tall houses or dark frowning gateways. 

Just as they stepped into the shadow of this street they heard the prowof another boat grate against the marble steps behind them and caughtthe faint sound of talk, apparently between their rower and others inthe second boat. 

"Forward, Sir Hugh, " said Day a little nervously. "This part of Venicehas no good name, for many wicked deeds are done here, but soon we shallbe through it. "

So they stepped out briskly, and when they were about half-way downthe street heard other steps behind them. They turned and looked backthrough the gloom, whereon the sound of the following steps died away. They pushed on again, and so, unless the echo deceived them, did thosequick, stealthy steps. Then, as though by common consent, though no onegave the word, they broke into a run and gained the end of the street, which they now saw led into a large open space lit by the light ofthe great moon, that broke suddenly through the veil of cloud or mist. Again, as though by common consent, they wheeled round, Hugh drawinghis sword, and perceived emerging from the street six or seven cloakedfellows, who, on catching sight of the flash of steel, halted and meltedback into the gloom. 

"Who follow us so fast?" asked Hugh. 

"Thieves, I think, " answered David, even more nervously than before, adding, "but if so, we are safe from them here. "

"Yes, sure enough, " said Grey Dick, "for I can shoot by moonlight, " and, drawing the black bow from its case, which he threw to the lad to carry, he strung it, after which they saw no more of their pursuers. 

Having waited a while, they began to examine the spot where they foundthemselves, which Day told them was that Place of Arms where they mustfight on the morrow. It was large and level, having been used as adrilling ground for generations. Perhaps it measured four hundred yardssquare, and almost in the centre of it rose a stand of painted timberroofed with canvas, and ornamented with gilded flagstaffs, from whichhung banners. On this stand, David said, the Doge and nobles would taketheir seats to see the fray, for in front of it the charging knightsmust meet. 

They walked up and down the course taking note of everything, andespecially of how the sun would shine upon them and the foothold of thesoil, which appeared to be formed of fine, trodden sand. 

"I ask no better ground to fight on, " said Hugh at length, "though it isstrange to think, " he added with a sigh, "that here within a dozen hoursor so two men must bid the world farewell. "

"Ay, " answered Dick, who alone seemed untouched by the melancholy ofthat night. "Here will die the knave with three names and the big foolof a half-bred Swiss, and descend to greet their ancestors in a placethat is even hotter than this Venice, with but a sorry tale to tellthem. By St. George! I wish it were nine of the clock to-morrow. "

"Brag not, Dick, " said Hugh with a sad smile, "for war is an uncertaingame, and who knows which of us will be talking with his ancestors andpraying the mercy of his Maker by this time to-morrow night?"

Then, having learned all they could, they walked across the ground tothe quay that bordered it on the seaward side. Here, as they guessedfrom the stone pillars to which ships were made fast, was one of theharbours of Venice, although as it happened none lay at that quay thisnight. Yet, as they looked they saw one coming in, watched curiously bygroups of men gathered on the wall. 

"Never knew I vessel make harbour in such a fashion, " exclaimed Dickpresently. "See! she sails stern first. "

Hugh studied her and saw that she was a great, decked galley of manyoars, such as the Venetians used in trading to the East, high-bowed andpooped. But the strange thing was that none worked these oars, which, although they were lashed, swung to and fro aimlessly, some yet wholeand some with their blades broken off and their shafts bundles of jaggedsplinters. Certain sails were still set on the ship's mast, in tattersfor the most part, though a few remained sound, and it was by these thatshe moved, for with the moonrise a faint wind had sprung up. Lastly, sheshowed no light at peak or poop, and no sound of officer's command or ofboatswain's whistle came from her deck. Only slowly and yet as though ofset purpose she drifted in toward the quay. 

Those who watched her, sailors such as ever linger about harboursseeking their bread from the waters, though among these were mingledpeople from the town who had come to this open place to escape the heat, began to talk together affrightedly, but always in the dread whisperthat was the voice of this fearful knight. Yes, even the hoarse-throatedsailormen whispered like a dying woman. 

"She's no ship, " said one, "she's the wraith of a ship. When I was a ladI saw such a craft in the Indian seas, and afterward we foundered, and Iand the cook's mate alone were saved. "

"Pshaw!" answered another, "she's a ship right enough. Look at the weedand barnacles on her sides when she heaves. Only where in Christ's nameare her crew?"

"Yes, " said a third, "and how could she win through all the secretchannels without a pilot?"

"What use would be a pilot, " said a fourth, "if there are none to workthe rudder and shift the sails? Do I not know, who am of the trade?"

"At least she is coming straight to the quay, " exclaimed a fifth, "though what sends her Satan alone knows, for the tide is slack andthis wind would scarce move a sponge boat. Stand by with the hawser, orshe'll swing round and stave herself against the pier. "

So they talked, and all the while the great galley drifted onward witha slow, majestic motion, her decks hid in shadow, for a sail cut off thelight of the low moon from them. Presently, too, even this was gone, for the veil of cloud crept again over the moon's face, obscuringeverything. 

Then of a sudden a meteor blazed out in the sky, such a meteor as noliving man had ever seen in Venice, for the size of it was that of thesun. It seemed to rise out of the ocean to the east and to travel veryslowly across the whole arc of the firmament till at last it burst witha terrible noise over the city and vanished. While it shone, the lightit gave was that of mid-day, only pale blue in colour, turning all ittouched to a livid and unnatural white. 

It showed the placid sea and fish leaping on its silver face half-a-mileor more away. It showed the distant land with every rock and house andbush. It showed the wharf and the watchers on it; among them Hugh noteda man embracing his sweetheart, as he thought under cover of the cloud. But most of all it showed that galley down to her last rope and even thelines of caulking on her deck. Oh, and now they saw the rowers, for theylay in heaps about the oars. Some of them even hung over these limply, moving to and fro as they swung, while others were stretched uponthe benches as though they slept. They were dead--all dead; the windfollowing the meteor and blowing straight on shore told them that theywere certainly all dead. Three hundred men and more upon that greatship, and all dead!

Nay, not all, for now on the high poop stood a single figure who seemedto wear a strange red head-dress, and about his shoulders a black robe. Straight and silent he stood, a very fearful figure, and in his hand acoil of rope. The sight of him sent those watchers mad. They ceased fromtheir whisperings, they raved aloud. 

"It is Satan!" they shouted, "Satan, who comes to drag the folk ofVenice down to hell. Kill him ere he lands. Kill him!"

Even Grey Dick went mad like a dog when he meets a ghost. His pale hairrose upon his head, his cold, quiet eyes started. He set an arrow on thestring of the black bow, drew it to his ear and loosed at the figure onthe poop. But that arrow never left the string; it shattered to flinderswhere it was and fell tinkling to the marble floor. Only the barb ofit turned and wounded Grey Dick in the chin, yes, and stuck there for awhile, for his right arm was numbed so that he could not lift his handto pull it forth. 

"Truly, I have shot at the Fiend and hit that at which I did not aim, "muttered Grey Dick, and sat himself down on a post of the quay toconsider the matter. Only, as it seemed to him, he who stood on the poopof the ship not ten yards away smiled a little. 

Unheeding of the clamour, this man upon the poop suddenly lifted thecoil of rope and threw it shoreward. It was a thick and heavy rope, with a noose at its end, so heavy that none would have believed that onemortal could handle it. Yet it shot from him till it stood out stiff asan iron bar. Yes, and the noose fell over one of the stone posts on thequay, and caught there. Now the rope grew straighter still, stretchingand groaning like a thing in pain as it took the weight of the great, drifting ship. She stayed; she swung round slowly and ranged herselfbroadside on against the quay as a berthed ship does. Then down theladder on her side came the Man. Deliberately he set his white-sandalledfeet upon the quay, advanced a few paces into the full light of thebright moon and stood still as though to suffer himself to be seen ofevery eye. 

Truly he was worth the seeing. Hugh noted his garments first, andparticularly the head-dress, which caught his glance and held it, fornever had he known such a one before. It was a cap fitting tight to theskull, only running across the crown of it was a stiff raised ridge, ofleather perhaps, jagged and pointed something like the comb of a cock. This comb, of brilliant red, was surmounted at its highest point by aball of black of the size of a small apple. The cap itself was yellow, except its lowest band, which stood out from it and was also black. Inthe centre of this band upon the forehead glowed a stone like a ruby. 

Such was the head-dress. The broad shoulders beneath were covered with acape of long and glossy fur blacker than coal, on to either shoulderof which drooped ear-rings made of rings of green stone which afterwardHugh came to know was jade. The cape of fur, which hung down to theknees and was set over a kind of surplice of yellow silk, was open infront, revealing its wearer's naked bosom that was clothed only with rowupon row of round gems of the size of a hazel nut. These like the furwere black, but shone with a strange and lustrous sheen. The man's thickarms were naked, but on his hands he wore white leather gloves madewithout division like a sock, as though to match the white sandals onhis feet. 

This was the Man's attire. Now for him who wore it. He was tall, but nottaller than are many other men; he was broad, but not broader than manyother men, and yet he looked stronger than all the men in the world. Onhis brow, which was prominent, smooth black hair parted in the middlewas plastered back as that of women sometimes is, making hard linesagainst the yellow skin below. He had very thin eyebrows that ran upwardon either side of a bow-shaped wrinkle in the centre of his forehead. The eyes beneath were small and pale--paler even than those of GreyDick--yet their glance was like the points of thrusting swords. With those little eyes alone he seemed to smile, for the rest of hiscountenance did not move. The nose was long and broad at the end withwide spreading nostrils and a deep furrow on either side. The mouth wasthin-lipped and turned downward at the corners, and the chin was like apiece of iron, quite hairless, and lean as that of a man long dead. 

There he stood like some wild vision of a dream, smiling with thosesmall unblinking eyes that seemed to take in all present one by one. There he stood in the moonlit silence, for the mob was quiet enough nowfor a little while, that yet was not silence because of a soughing noisewhich seemed to proceed from the air about his head. 

Then suddenly the tumult broke out again with its cries of "Kill thedevil! Tear the wizard to pieces! Death is behind him! He brings death!Kill, kill, kill!"

A score of knives flashed in the air, only this time Grey Dick set noarrow on his string. Their holders ran forward; then the Man lifted hishand, in which was no weapon, and they stopped. 

Now he spoke in a low voice so cold that, to Hugh's excited fancy, thewords seemed to tinkle like falling ice as one by one they came fromhis lips. He spoke in Italian--perfect Italian of Venice--and young Day, whose teeth where chattering with fear, translated his words. 

"Is this your welcome to a stranger, " he said, "the companions of whosevoyage have unhappily met with misfortune?" Here with a faint motion ofhis fingerless glove he indicated the dead who lay all about the decksof that fatal ship. "Would you, men of Venice, kill a poor, unarmedstranger who has travelled to visit you from the farthest East and seenmuch sorrow on his way?"

"Ay, we would, sorcerer!" shouted one. "Our brothers were in that ship, which we know, and you have murdered them. "

"How did you learn Italian in the farthest East?" asked another. 

Then for the second time, like hounds closing in on a stag at bay, theysprang toward him with their poised knives. 

Again he lifted his hand, again the semi-circle halted as though itmust, and again he spoke. 

"Are there none here who will befriend a stranger in a strange land?None who are ashamed to see a poor, unarmed stranger from the Eastdone to death by these wolves who call themselves children of the whiteChrist of Mercy?"

Now Hugh touched Dick upon the shoulder. 

"Rise and come, " he said, "it is our fate"; and Dick obeyed. 

Only after he had translated the Man's words, David fell down flat uponthe quay and lay there. 

They stepped to the yellow-capped Man and stood on each side of him, Hugh drawing his sword and Dick the battle-axe that he carried beneathhis robe of silk. 

"We will, " said Hugh shortly, in English. 

"Now there are three of us, " went on the Man. "The stranger from theEast has found defenders from the West. On, defenders, for I do notfight thus, " and he folded his arms across his broad breast and smiledwith the awful eyes. 

Hugh and Dick knew no Italian, yet they both of them understood, andwith a shout leaped forward toward those hungry knives. But theirholders never waited for them. Some sudden panic seized them all, sothat they turned and ran--ran straight across the wide Place of Arms andvanished into the network of narrow streets by which it was surrounded. 

CHAPTER XIII

MURGH'S ARROW

Hugh and Dick came back. Something seemed to call them back, although noblow had been struck. The Man stood where they had left him, staring atnothing in particular. Apparently he was engaged in meditation. 

"Thanking his gods because they have saved him from sudden death, "muttered Grey Dick. "If he's got any gods!" he added doubtfully. 

Now the three, or rather the four of them, for David Day had recovered, and once more stood upon his feet from time to time glancing at thestranger's costume with a frightened eye, were left alone upon the greatplace with no company save the shipful of dead behind them and the wild, white moon above. The silence that, save for the soughing sound forwhich they could not account, was intense, oppressed them, as also didthe heat. 

Grey Dick coughed, but the Man took no notice. Then he dropped hisaxe with a clatter on the marble flooring of the quay and picked itup again, but still the Man took no notice. Evidently his Easternimperturbability was not to be disturbed by such trifles. What wasworse, or so thought Dick, his master Hugh had fallen into a verysimilar mood. He stood there staring at the Man, while the Man staredover or through him--at nothing in particular. 

Grey Dick felt aggrieved. An arrow had burst to pieces unaccountably inhis bow, numbing his arm and wounding him on the chin, and now he wasoutpaced at his own game of cold silence. He grew angry and dug David inthe ribs with his elbow. 

"Tell that foreigner, " he said, "that my master and I have saved hislife. Those Italian cut-throats have run away, and if he is a gentlemanhe should say 'thank you. '"

David hesitated, whereon Dick gave him another dig, harder than thefirst, and asked if he heard what he said. Then David obeyed, addressingthe Man as "Most Illustrious" as though he were the Doge, and endinghis speech with a humble apology in case he should have interrupted hispious thanksgiving. 

The Man seemed to awake. Taking no notice of Day, he addressed himselfto Dick, speaking in English and using just that dialect of it to whichhe, Dick, had been accustomed from his childhood in the neighbourhood ofDunwich. Not even the familiar Suffolk whine was forgotten. 

"You and your master have saved my life, have you?" he said. "Well, neighbour, why did you try to save my life by shooting at me with thatgreat black bow of yours, which I see is made of Eastern woods?" Hestared at the case in which it was now again hidden as though tannedleather were no obstacle to his sight; then went on: "Do not answer:I will tell you why. You shot at me because you were afraid of me, andfear is ever cruel, is it not? Only something happened to your arrow, something that has never happened to any arrow of yours before. Oh, yes, you have saved me from the Italian cut-throats, and being a gentleman Ithank you very much. Only why did the arrow burst in your bow?" and hesmiled with those dreadful eyes of his. 

Now, feeling overwhelmed for the second time that night, Grey Dick sathimself down upon a quay post. It was clear to him that to arguewith this person in a yellow cap who talked Suffolk so well was quiteuseless. Why, then, waste breath which was probably his last?

Everybody seemed to be falling into meditation again, when the Man, shifting his head slowly, began to consider Hugh. 

"What is your name and which is your country, O my second saviour?"he asked, still speaking in English. Only now the English was of adifferent and more refined sort to that which he had used when headdressed Dick; such English, for instance, as came from the lips of SirGeoffrey Carleon or from those of the lords of Edward's Court. 

"I am Sir Hugh de Cressi of Dunwich, in the county of Suffolk, inEngland, " answered Hugh slowly. 

"England. I have heard of England, and Dunwich; I have heard of Dunwich. Indeed, I travel thither, having an appointment with an old friend inthat town. "

Now a light came into Hugh's bewildered face, but he said nothing. 

"I seem to have touched some chord of recollection in your mind, O mysaviour of Dunwich, " said the Man. "Look at me and tell me, who am I?"

Hugh looked, and shook his head. 

"I never saw you before, nor any one at all like you, " he answered. 

"No, no; you never saw me, though I have been very near to you once ortwice. Yet, your pardon, look again. "

Hugh obeyed, and this time, for a second only, perceived that the Man'shead was surrounded by a multitude of doves. Two endless lines ofdoves, one line black and the other line white, stretched from his rightshoulder and from his left shoulder, till miles away they melted intothe lofty gloom of the sky that was full of the soughing sound of theirwings. 

Now he knew, and for the first time in his life fell upon his knees to aman, or to what bore the semblance of man. 

"You are named Murgh, Gate of the Gods, " he said. "Murgh, whom old SirAndrew saw in that courtyard over which the iron dragons watch in thecountry called Cathay, that courtyard with the pool of water and themany doors. "

"Ay, " answered the Man in a new voice, a great voice that seemed to fillthe air like the mutter of distant thunder. "I am Murgh, Gateway of theGods, and since you have striven to defend Murgh, he who is the friendof all men, although they know it not, will above all be your friend andthe friend of those you love. "

He stretched out his long arms and laid his white-gloved hands for aninstant, one of them upon Hugh's head and one on the shoulder of GreyDick, who sat upon the pillar of stone. 

Hugh muttered, "I thank you, " not knowing what else to say. But in hisheart he wondered what kind of friendship this mighty and awful beingwould show to him and his. Perhaps he might hold that the truestkindness would be to remove him and them from the miseries of a sinfulworld. 

If Murgh read his thoughts he only answered them with that smile of hiscold eyes which was more awful than the frown of any mortal man. Turninghis head slowly he began to contemplate Dick sitting on his stone. 

"If I had a son, " he said, "by that face of yours you might be he. "

"Perchance, " answered Dick, "since I never knew for certain who myfather was. Only I have always heard that Life begets, not Death. "

"Death! You honour me with a great name. Well, life and death are one, and you and I are one with the moon and the stars above us, and manyother things and beings that you cannot see. Therefore the begetter andthe begotten are one in the Hand that holds them all. "

"Ay, " answered Dick, "and so my bow and I are one: I've often thoughtit. Only you nearly made me one with my own arrow, which is closerkinship than I seek, " and he touched the cut upon his chin. "Since youare so wise, my father, or my son, tell me, what is this Hand that holdsthem all?"

"Gladly. Only if I do, first I must ask you to die, then--say in aminute or two--you shall know. "

Dick peered at him doubtfully, and said:

"If that be so, I think I'll wait for the answer, which I am sure tolearn soon or late. "

"Ah! Many men have thought the same, and you have sent some to seek it, have you not, being so good an archer. For instance, that was a longshaft you shot before Crecy fray at the filthy fool who mocked yourEnglish host. Doubtless now he knows the answer to your riddle. "

"Who told you of that?" asked Dick, springing up. 

"A friend of mine who was in the battle. He said also that your name wasRichard the Archer. "

"A friend! I believe that you were there yourself, as, if you are Death, you may well have been. "

"Perhaps you are right, Richard. Have I not just told you that weall are one; yes, even the slayer and the slain. Therefore, if myfriend--did you call him Death?--was there, I was there, if you werethere I was there and it was my hand that drew yonder great black bowof yours and my eye that guided the straight shaft which laid thefoulmouthed jester low. Why, did you not say as much yourself when yourmaster here bade farewell to his father in the ship at Calais? What werethe words? Oh, I remember them. You wondered how One I may not name, "and he bowed his solemn head, "came to make that black bow and yours andyou 'the death that draw it. '"

Now at length Grey Dick's courage gave out. 

"Of no man upon earth am I afraid, " he said. "But from you, O god ordevil, who read the secret hearts of men and hear their secret words, myblood flows backward as it did when first my eyes fell on you. You wouldkill me because I dared to shoot at you. Well, kill, but do not torture. It is unworthy of a knight, even if he took his accolade in hell, " andhe placed his hands before his eyes and stood before him with bent headwaiting for the end. 

"Why give me such high names, Richard the Fatherless, when you haveheard two humbler ones? Call me Murgh, as do my friends. Or call me 'TheGate, ' as do those who as yet know me less well. But talk not of gods ordevils, lest suddenly one of them should answer you. Nay, man, have nofear. Those who seek Death he often flees, as I think he flees from youto-night. Yet let us see if we cannot send a longer shaft, you and I, than that which we loosed on Crecy field. Give me the bow. "

Dick, although he had never suffered living man to shoot with it before, handed him the black bow, and with it a war shaft, which he drew fromhis quiver. 

"Tell me, Archer Dick, have you any enemy in this town of Venice?Because if so we might try a shot at him. "

"One or two, Gate Murgh, " answered Dick, "Still whatever your half of memay do, my bit of you does not love to strike down men by magic in thedark. "

"Well said and better thought. Then bethink you of something thatbelongs to an enemy which will serve as well for a test of shooting. Ah!I thank you, well thought again. Yes, I see the mark, though 'tis far, is it not? Now set your mind on it. But stay! First, will you know thisarrow again?"

"Surely, " answered Dick, "I made it myself. Moreover, though two ofthe feathers are black, the third is white with four black spots and alittle splash of brown. Look on it, Sir Hugh; it cannot be mistook. "

Hugh looked and nodded; speak he could not for the life of him. 

Then Murgh began to play a little with the bow, and oh! strange anddreadful was the music that came from its string beneath the touch ofhis gloved fingers. It sang like a harp and wailed like a woman, sofearfully indeed that the lad Day, who all this while stood by aghast, stopped his ears with his fingers, and Hugh groaned. Then this awfularcher swiftly set the arrow on the string. 

"Now think with your mind and shoot with your heart, " he said in hiscold voice, and, so saying, drew and loosed as though at a hazard. 

Out toward Venice leaped the shaft with a rushing sound like to thatof wings and, as it seemed to the watchers, light went with it, forit travelled like a beam of light. Far over the city it travelled, describing a mighty arc such as no arrow ever flew before, then sankdown and vanished behind some palace tower. 

"A very good bow, " said the shooter, as he handed it back to Dick. "Never have I used a better, who have used thousands made of many asubstance. Indeed, I think that I remember it. Did you chance to find ityears ago by the seashore? Yes? Well, it was a gift of mine to a famousarcher who died upon a ship. Nay, it is not strained; I can judge of thebreaking strength of a bow. Whether or no I can judge of the flight ofan arrow you will learn hereafter. But that this one flew fast and farcannot be doubted since--did you watchers note it?--its speed made itshine like fire. This is caused by the rubbing of the air when aughttravels through it very quickly. This night you have seen a meteor glowin the same fashion, only because the air fretted it in its passage. In the East, whence I come, we produce fire just so. And now let us begoing, for I have much to do to-night, and would look upon this fairVenice ere I sleep. I'll lead the way, having seen a map of the townwhich a traveller brought to the East. I studied it, and now it comesback to my mind. Stay, let that youth give me his garment, " and hepointed to David Day, who wore a silk cloak like the others, "since myforeign dress might excite remark, as it did but now. "

In a moment Day had stripped himself of his light silk-hooded gown, and in another moment it was on the person of Murgh, though how it gotthere, when they came to think of it afterward, none could remember. Still, the yellow and red head-dress, the coal-black silky furs, theyellow skirt, the gleaming pearls, all vanished beneath it. Nothingremained visible except the white fingerless gloves--why were theyfingerless, and what lay beneath them? Hugh wondered--and the whiteshoes. 

Forward they went across the Place of Arms, past the timber standornamented with banners, which Murgh stayed to contemplate for aninstant, until they came to the mouth of the street up which men hadfollowed them, apparently with evil intent. 

"Sir Murgh, " said Hugh, stepping forward, "you had best let me and mycompanion Grey Dick walk first down this place, lest you should cometo harm. When we passed it a while ago we thought that we heard robbersbehind us, and in Venice, as we are told, such men use knives. "

"Thank you for your warning, Sir Hugh, " and even beneath the shadowof the silk hood Hugh thought that he saw his eyes smile, and seeing, remembered all the folly of such talk. 

"Yet I'll risk these robbers. Do you two and the lad keep behind me, " headded in a sterner voice. 

So they advanced down the narrow street, the man called Murgh goingfirst, Hugh, Grey Dick and the lad following meekly behind him. As theyentered its shadows a low whistle sounded, but nothing happened for awhile. When they had traversed about half its length, however, men, fiveor six of them in all, darted out of the gloom of a gateway and rushedat them. The faint light showed that they were masked and gleamed uponthe blue steel of the daggers in their hands. Two of these men struck atMurgh with their knives, while the others tried to pass him, doubtlessto attack his companions, but failed. Why they failed Hugh and Dicknever knew. All they saw was that Murgh stretched out his white-glovedhands, and they fell back. 

The men who had struck at him fell back also, their daggers dropping tothe ground, and fled away, followed by their companions, all except onewhom Murgh had seized. Hugh noted that he was a tall, thin fellow, andthat, unlike the rest, he had drawn no weapon, although it was at hissignal that the other bravoes had rushed on. This man Murgh seemed tohold with one hand while with the other he ripped the mask off his face, turning him so that the light shone on him. 

Hugh and Dick saw the face and knew it for that of the priest who hadaccompanied Acour to England. It was he who had drugged Red Eve and readthe mass of marriage over her while she was drugged. 

"Who are you?" asked Murgh in his light, cold voice. "By your shavenhead a priest, I think--one who serves some God of love and mercy. Andyet you come upon this ill errand as a captain of assassins. Why do youseek to do murder, O Priest of the God of mercy?"

Now some power seemed to drag the answer from Father Nicholas. 

"Because I must, " he said. "I have sold myself and must pay the price. Step leads to step, and he who runs may not stop upon them. "

"No, priest Nicholas, since ever they grow more narrow and more steep. Yet at the foot of them is the dark abyss, and, Murderer Nicholas, youhave reached the last of all your steps. Look at me!" and with one handhe threw back the hood. 

Next instant they saw Nicholas rush staggering down the street, screaming with terror as he went. Then, as all the bravoes had gone, they continued their march, filled with reflections, till they cameto the little landing-stage where they had left the boat. It was stillthere though the boatman had gone. 

"Let us borrow this boat, " said Murgh. "As from my study of the map Iknow these water-paths, I will be steersman and that tongue-tied ladshall row and tell me if I go wrong. First I will take you to the housewhere I think you said you lodged, and thence to go seek friends of myown in this city who will show me hospitality. "

They glided on down the long canals in utter silence that was brokenonly by the soft dipping of the oars. The night was somewhat cooler now, for the bursting of the great meteor seemed to have cleared the air. Orperhaps the gentle breeze that had sprung up, blowing from the open sea, tempered its stifling heat. 

So it came about that although it grew late many people were gatheredon the _rivas_ or on the balconies of the fine houses which they passed, for the most part doubtless discussing the travelling star that hadbeen seen in the sky. Or perhaps they had already heard rumours of thestrange visitor who had come to Venice, although, however fast such newsmay fly, this seemed scarcely probable. At the least there they were, men and women, talking earnestly together, and about them the threeEnglishmen noted a strange thing. 

As their boat slipped by, some influence seemed to pass from it to theminds of all these people. Their talk died out, and was succeeded bya morne and heavy silence. They looked at it as though wondering whya sight so usual should draw their eyes. Then after a few irresolutemoments the groups on the footpaths separated and went their wayswithout bidding each other good night. As they went many of them madethe sign with their fingers that these Italians believed could avertevil, which gave them the appearance of all pointing at the boat or itsoccupants. Those in the balconies did the same thing and disappearedthrough the open window-places. 

More than any of the wonderful things that he had done, perhaps, thiseffect of the Eastern stranger's presence struck terror and forebodingto Hugh's heart. 

At length they came to the end of that little street where they hadhired the boat, for, although none had told him the way, thither theirdread steersman brought them without fault. The lad David laid downhis oars and mounted the steps that led to the street, which was quitedeserted, even the bordering houses being in darkness. 

"Hugh de Cressi and Richard the Fatherless, " said Murgh, "you have seenwonderful things this night and made a strange friend, as you may thinkby chance, although truly in all the wide universe there is no room forsuch a thing as chance. Now my counsel to you and your companion isthat you speak no word of these matters lest you should be set upon aswizards. We part, but we shall meet again twice more, and after manyyears a third time, but that third meeting do not seek, for it will bewhen the last grains of sand are running from the glass. Also you maysee me at other times, but if so, unless I speak to you, do not speakto me. Now go your ways, fearing nothing. However great may seem yourperil, I say to you--fear nothing. Soon you will hear ill things spokenof me, yet"--and here a touch of human wistfulness came into his inhumanvoice--"I pray you believe them not. When I am named Murgh the Fiendand Murgh the Sword, then think of me as Murgh the Helper. What I do isdecreed by That which is greater than I, and if you could understand it, leads by terrible ways to a goal of good, as all things do. Richard theArcher, I will answer the riddle that you asked yourself upon the shipat Calais. The Strength which made your black bow an instrument of doommade you who loose its shafts and me who can outshoot you far. As thearrow travels whither it is sent, and there does its appointed work, sodo you travel and so do I, and many another thing, seen and unseen; andtherefore I told you truly that although we differ in degree, yet we areone. Yes, even Murgh the Eating Fire, Murgh the Gate, and that bent wandof yours are one in the Hand that shaped and holds us both. "

Then divesting himself of the long robe which he had borrowed from thelad, he handed it to Hugh, and, taking the oars, rowed away clad in hisrich, fantastic garb which now, as at first, could be seen by all. Herowed away, and for a while the three whom he had left behind heard thesoughing of the innumerable wings that went ever with him, after whichcame silence. 

Silence, but not for long, for presently from the borders of the greatcanal into which his skiff must enter, rose shouts of fear and rage, near by at first, then farther and farther off, till these too were lostin silence. 

"Oh! Sir Hugh!" sobbed poor David Day, "who and what is that dreadfulman?"

"I think his name is Death, " answered Hugh solemnly, while Dick noddedhis head but said nothing. 

"Then we must die, " went on David in his terror, "and I am not fit todie. "

"I think not, " said Hugh again. "Be comforted. Death has passed us by. Only be warned also and, as he bade you, say nothing of all that youhave heard and seen. "

"By Death himself, I'll say nothing for my life's sake, " he repliedfaintly, for he was shaking in every limb. 

Then they walked up the street to the yard door. As they went Hugh askedDick what it was that he had in his mind as a mark for the arrow thatMurgh had shot, that arrow which to his charmed sight had seemed to rushover Venice like a flake of fire. 

"I'll not tell you, master, " answered Dick, "lest you should think memadder than I am, which to-night would be very mad indeed. Stay, though, I'll tell David here, that he may be a witness to my folly, " and hecalled the young man to him and spoke with him apart. 

Then they unlocked the courtyard gate and entered the house by thekitchen door, as it chanced quite unobserved, for now all the servantswere abed. Indeed, of that household none ever knew that they had beenoutside its walls this night, since no one saw them go or return, and Sir Geoffrey and his lady thought that they had retired to theirchamber. 

They came to the door of their room, David still with them, for theplace where he slept was at the end of this same passage. 

"Bide here a while, " said Dick to him. "My master and I may have a wordto say to you presently. "

Then they lit tapers from a little Roman lamp that burned all nightin the passage and entered the room. Dick walked at once to thewindow-place, looked and laughed a little. 

"The arrow has missed, " he said, "or rather, " he added doubtfully, "thetarget is gone. "

"What target?" asked Hugh wearily, for now he desired sleep more thanhe had ever done in all his life. Then he turned, the taper in his hand, and started back suddenly, pointing to something which hung upon hisbed-post that stood opposite to the window. 

"Who nails his helm upon my bed?" he said. "Is this a challenge fromsome knight of Venice?"

Dick stepped forward and looked. 

"An omen, not a challenge, I think. Come and see for yourself, " he said. 

This is what Hugh saw: Fixed to the post by a shaft which pierced itand the carved olivewood from side to side, was the helm that they hadstripped from the body of Sir Pierre de la Roche; the helm of Sir EdmundAcour, which Sir Pierre had worn at Crecy and Dick had tumbled out ofhis sack in the presence of the Doge before Cattrina's face. On hisreturn to the house of Sir Geoffrey Carleon he had set it down in thecentre of the open window-place and left it there when they went out tosurvey the ground where they must fight upon the morrow. 

Having studied it for a moment, Dick went to the door and called toDavid. 

"Friend, " he said, standing between him and the bed, so that he couldsee nothing, "what was it that just now I told you was in my mind whenyonder Murgh asked me at what target he should shoot with my bow on thePlace of Arms?"

"A knight's helm, " answered David, "which stood in the window of yourroom at the ambassador's house--a knight's helmet that had a swan forits crest. "

"You hear?" said Dick to Hugh; "now come, both of you, and see. What isthat which hangs upon the bed-post? Answer you, David, for perchance mysight is bewitched. "

"A knight's helm, " answered David, "bearing the crest of a floating swanand held there by an arrow which has pierced it through. "

"What was the arrow like which I gave this night to one Murgh, master?"asked Dick again. 

"It was a war shaft having two black feathers and the third white butchequered with four black spots and a smear of brown, " answered Hugh. 

"Then is that the same arrow, master, which this Murgh loosed from morethan a mile away?"

Hugh examined it with care. Thrice he examined it, point and shaft andfeathers. Then in a low voice he answered:

"_Yes!_"

CHAPTER XIV

AT THE PLACE OF ARMS

Notwithstanding all that has been told, Hugh and Dick never slept moresoundly than they did that night, nor was their rest broken by anydreams. At half past five in the morning--for they must be stirringearly--David came to call them. He too, it seemed, had slept well. Alsoin the light of day the worst of his fear had left him. 

"I am wondering, Sir Hugh, " he said, looking at him curiously, "whetherI saw certain things last night down yonder at the Place of Arms and inthe boat, or whether I thought I saw them. "

"Doubtless you thought you saw them, David, " answered Hugh, adding withmeaning, "and it is not always well to talk of things we think that wehave seen. "

The lad, who was sharp enough, nodded. But as he turned to hand Hughsome garment his eye fell upon the swan-crested helm that was stillnailed by the long war-shaft with two black feathers and one white tothe carved olivewood post of the bed. 

"It must have been a mighty arm that shot this arrow, Sir Hugh, " he saidreflectively, "which could pierce a casque of Milan steel from side toside and a hardwood post beyond. Well for the owner of the helm that hishead was not inside of it. "

"Very well, and a very mighty arm, David. So mighty that I should saynothing about it for fear lest it should set another arrow upon anotherstring and shoot again. "

"God's truth, not I!" exclaimed David, "and for your comfort, sir, knowthat none saw us leave this house or reënter it last night. "

Then Hugh and Dick clothed themselves and saw to their weapons and mail, but this they did not don as yet, fearing lest the weight of it shouldweary them in that great heat. Although the day was so young, this heatwas terrible, more oppressive indeed than any they had yet known inVenice. 

When they were ready David left them to see to the horse which de Cressiwould ride in his combat with Cattrina. Hugh, as became a God-fearingknight whom Sir Andrew Arnold had instructed from childhood, crossedhimself, knelt down and said his prayers, which that morning were longand earnest. Indeed he would have confessed himself also if he could, only there was no priest at hand who knew his language, Sir Geoffrey'schaplain being away. After watching him a while even Grey Dick, whoseprayers were few, followed his example, kneeling in front of his bow asthough it were an image that he worshipped. When they had risen again, he said:

"You grieve that there is none to shrive us, master, but I holdotherwise, since when it was told what company we kept last nightabsolution might be lacking. This would weigh on you if not on me, who, after what I have learned of Father Nicholas and others, love but onepriest, and he far away. "

"Yet it is well to have the blessings of Holy Church ere such a businessas ours, Dick; that is, if it can be come by. "

"Mayhap, master. But for my part I am content with that of Murgh, whichhe gave us, you may remember, or so I understood him. Moreover, did henot teach that he and all are but ministers of Him above? Therefore I gostraight to the head of the stair, " and he nodded toward the sky. "I amcontent to skip all those steps which are called priests and altars andpopes and saints and such-like folk, living or dead. If Murgh's wisdombe true, as I think, these are but garnishings to the dish which canwell be spared by the hungry soul. "

"That may be, " Hugh answered dubiously, for his faith in such matterswas that of his time. "Yet were I you, Dick, I'd not preach thatphilosophy too loud lest the priests and popes should have something tosay to it. The saints also, for aught I know, since I have always heardthat they love not to be left out of our account with heaven. "

"Well, if so, " answered Dick, "I'll quote St. Murgh to them, who is avery fitting patron for an archer. " Then once again he glanced at thehelm and the arrow with something not unlike fear in his cold eye. 

Presently they went down to the eating chamber where they had been toldthat breakfast would be ready for them at seven of the clock. There theyfound Sir Geoffrey awaiting them. 

"I trust that you have slept well, Sir Hugh, " he said. "You were a wiseknight to go to rest so early, having before you such a trial of yourstrength and manhood, and, so to speak, the honour of our King upon yourhands. "

"Very well indeed; thank you, sir, " answered Hugh. "And you?"

"Oh, ill, extremely ill. I do not know what is the matter with me orVenice either, whereof the very air seems poisoned. Feel the heat andsee the haze! It is most unnatural. Moreover, although in your beddoubtless you saw it not, a great ball of fire blazed and burnt over thecity last night. So bright was it that even in a darkened room each ofus could see the colour of the other's eyes. Later, too, as I watched atthe window, there came a thin streak of flame that seemed to alight onor about this very house. Indeed I thought I heard a sound as of ironstriking upon iron, but could find no cause for it. "

"Wondrous happenings, sir, " said Grey Dick. "Glad am I that we were notwith you, lest the sight of them should have made us fearful on thismorning of combat. "

"Wondrous happenings indeed, friend Richard, " said Sir Geoffreyexcitedly, "but you have not heard the half of them. The herald, who hasjust been here with the final articles of your fray signed by the Dogeand Cattrina, has told me much that I can scarce believe. He says thatthe great galley from this port which is called _Light of the East_drifted up to the quay at the Place of Arms last night on her returnvoyage from Cyprus, filled with dead and with no living thing aboard hersave the devil himself in a yellow robe and a many-hued head-dress likea cock's-comb with a red eye. He swears that this fiend landed and thatthe mob set on him, whereon two, some say three, other devils clad inlong black gowns appeared out of the water and drove them back. Also, it seems that this same cock's-combed Satan stole a boat and rowed aboutthe city afterward, but now none can find him, although they have gotthe boat. "

"Then they should be well satisfied, " said Hugh, "since its owner haslost nothing but the hire, which with Satan at the oars is better thanmight be hoped. Perhaps he was not there after all, Sir Geoffrey. "

"I know not, but at least the galley _Light of the East_ is there, forever since the dawn they have been taking the dead out of her to burythem. Of these they say things too terrible to repeat, for no doctor cantell of what sickness they died, never having seen its like. For my partI pray it may not be catching. Were I the Doge I would have towed herout to sea and scuttled her, cargo and all. Well, well, enough of thesewild tales, of which God alone knows the truth. Come, eat, if you can inthis heat. We must be on the Place of Arms by half-past eight. You andthe captain go thither in my own boat, Sir Hugh; your horse David Daytakes on presently. Now, while you breakfast, I'll explain to you thesearticles, one by one, for they are writ in Italian, which you cannotread. See you forget them not. These Venetians are punctilious of suchforms and ceremonies, especially when the case is that of combat to thedeath, which is rare among them. "

The articles, which were lengthy, had been read, and the breakfast, orso much as they could eat of it, consumed. At last Hugh, accompanied bya Venetian squire of high birth sent by the Doge to bear his casque andother armour, stood in the vestibule waiting for the ambassador's bargeof state. With him was Grey Dick, accompanied by no one and carrying themail shirt in which he was to fight, like a housewife's parcel beneathhis arm, although he wore bow on back, axe and dagger at side and ironcap upon his head. 

Presently, while they lingered thus, out from a side-door appearedLady Carleon, clothed in a white garment such as women wear when theirdressing is half done, down which her grey hair hung dishevelled. 

"I am come thus unkempt, Sir Hugh, " she said, "for, not feeling well, Icould not rise early, to bid you good-bye, since I am sure that we shallnot meet again. However much that black-browed Doge may press it, Icannot go down yonder to see my countrymen butchered in this heat. Oh!oh!" and she pressed her hand upon her heart. 

"What's the matter, madam?" asked Hugh anxiously. 

"A pain in my breast, that is all, as though some one drove a daggerthrough me. There, there, 'tis gone. "

"I thank you for your goodness, Lady Carleon, " said Hugh when she washerself again; then paused, for he knew not what to add. 

"Not so, Sir Hugh, not so; 'tis for your sakes in truth since youremember you never told me what you would wish done--afterward. Yourpossessions also--where are they to be sent? Doubtless you have moneyand other things of value. Be sure that they shall be sealed up. I'llsee to it myself, but--how shall I dispose of them?"

"Madame, I will tell you when I return, " said Hugh shortly. 

"Nay, nay, Sir Hugh; pray do not return. Those who are gone had bestkeep gone, I think, who always have had a loathing of ghosts. Therefore, I beg you, tell me now, but do not come back shining like a saint andgibbering like a monkey at dead of night, because if you do I am sureI shall not understand, and if there is an error, who will set itstraight?"

Hugh leaned against a marble pillar in the hall and looked at hishostess helplessly, while Sir Geoffrey, catching her drift at length, broke in:

"Cease such ill-omened talk, wife. Think you that it is of a kind togive brave men a stomach in a fight to the end?"

"I know not, Geoffrey, but surely 'tis better to have these matterssettled, for, as you often say, death is always near us. "

"Ay, madam, " broke in Grey Dick, who could bear no more of it, "deathis always near to all of us, and especially so in Venice just now. Therefore, I pray you tell me--in case we should live and _you_ shoulddie, you and all about you--whether you have any commands to give asto what should be done with your gold and articles of value, or anymessages to leave for friends in England. "

Then, having uttered this grim jest, Dick took his master by the arm anddrew him through the door. 

Afterward, for a reason that shall be told, he was sorry that it hadever passed his lips. Still in the boat Sir Geoffrey applauded him, saying that his lady's melancholy had grown beyond all bearing, and thatshe did little but prate to him about his will and what colour of marblehe desired for his tomb. 

After a journey that seemed long to Hugh, who wished to have thisbusiness over, they came to the Place of Arms. Their route there, however, was not the same which they had followed on the previous night. Leaving the short way through the low part of the town untraversed, theyrowed from one of the canals into the harbour itself, where they werejoined by many other boats which waited for them and so on to the quay. Hugh saw at once that the death ship, _Light of the East_, was gone, andincautiously said as much to Sir Geoffrey. 

"Yes, " he answered, "one of my rowers tells me that they have towed herto an island out at sea, since the stench from her holds was more thancould be borne. But how did you know that she lay at this particularquay, Sir Hugh?"

"I thought you said so, " he answered carelessly, adding, to change thesubject: "Look, our fray will not lack for spectators, " and he pointedto the thousands gathered upon the great tilting-ground. 

"No, no, all Venice will be there, for these people love a show, especially if there be death in it. "

"Mayhap they will see more of him than they wish before all is done, "muttered Grey Dick, pausing from the task of whetting his axe's edgewith a little stone which he carried in his pouch. Then he replaced theaxe in its hanger, and, drawing Hugh's sword from its sheath, began togive some final touches to its razor edge, saying: "Father Sir AndrewArnold blessed it, which should be enough, but Milan steel is hard andhis old battle blade will bite none the worse for an extra sharpening. Go for his throat, master, go for his throat, the mail is alwaysthinnest there. "

"God above us, what a grim man!" exclaimed Sir Geoffrey, and so thoughtall in that boat and in those around them. At least they looked at Dickaskance as he whetted and whetted, and then, plucking out one of thepale hairs from his head, drew it along the edge of the steel, whichsevered it in twain. 

"There! That'll do, " said Grey Dick cheerfully, as he returned the longsword to its sheath, "and God help this Cattrina, I say, for he comesto his last battle. That is, unless he runs away, " he added afterreflection. 

Now they landed and were received by heralds blowing trumpets, andconducted through a great multitude of people with much pomp andceremony to a pavilion which had been pitched for them, where they mustarm and make ready. 

This then they did, helped or hindered by bowing squires whose languagethey could not understand. 

At length, when it lacked but a quarter to the hour of nine, David Dayled Hugh's horse into the wide entrance of the pavilion, where theyexamined its armour, bridle, selle and trappings. 

"The beast sweats already, " said Hugh, "and so do I, who, to tell truth, dread this heat more than Cattrina's sword. Pray that they get to thebusiness quickly, or I shall melt like butter on a hot plate. "

Then his lance was given to him, a lance that was sharp and strong. When they had been tested by them both, Hugh mounted the grey and at theagreed signal of a single blast upon a trumpet, walked it slowly fromthe pavilion, Dick going at his side on foot. 

At their coming a shout went up from the assembled thousands, for intruth it seemed, as Sir Geoffrey had said, as though all the folk inVenice were gathered on that place. When they had finished shouting thepeople began to criticise, finding much in the appearance of this pairthat moved their ready wit. Indeed there was little show about them, forHugh's plain armour, which lacked all ornament or inlay, was worn withwar and travel, and his horse came along as soberly as if it were goingout to plough. Nor was there anything fine about the apparel of GreyDick, who wore a loose chain shirt much out of fashion--it was thatwhich Sir Andrew had given to Hugh--an iron cap with ear-pieces, andleather buskins on his legs. In his hand was his axe, heavy but notover large; at his side hung a great knife, and on his back was the longblack bow and a quiver of arrows. 

Thus arrayed, taking no heed of the jests and chatter of the multitude, they were led to the front of the bedecked timber stand which they hadseen on the previous night. In the centre of this stand, occupying akind of tribune, sat the Doge Dandolo in state, and with him many noblesand captains, while to right and left the whole length of the course, for the stand was very long, were packed a countless number of thebest-born men and women in Venice. These, however, were but a tithe ofthe spectators, who encircled the Place of Arms in one serried hordewhich was kept back by a line of soldiers. 

Arriving in front of the Doge's tribune, the pair halted and salutedhim, whereon he and his escort rose and saluted them in turn. Thenanother trumpet blew and from a second pavilion at the other end ofthe course appeared Cattrina, wearing a splendid suit of white armour, damascened in gold, with a silver swan upon the helm and a swan paintedon his shield. 

"Very fine, isn't it?" said Grey Dick to his master, "only this timeI hope he's inside the steel. Ask to see his face before you fight, master. "

On came Cattrina on a noble black horse, which pawed and caracolednotwithstanding the heat, while after him strode a gigantic figurealso clad from top to toe in white mail, who fiercely brandished along-handled battle-axe. 

"Ambrosio!" said Dick. "Now I ought to feel as much afraid as thoughthat fellow wore a yellow cap and fur cape and pearls like anotherwarrior whom we met last night. Yet, to speak the truth, I believe hehas the fainter heart of the two. Also if he swings that chopper aboutso much he'll grow tired. "

To the multitude, however, the gallant appearance of this pair, whomthey looked on as the champions of Venice against foreigners, appealednot a little. Amidst clapping of hands and "_evvivas!_" they advancedto the Doge's tribune and there made their salutations, which theIllustrious acknowledged as he had those of the Englishmen. 

Then the heralds intervened and again all the articles of combat wereread and translated, although to these, of which they were weary, Hugh and Dick listened little. Next they were asked if they had anyobjections to make and with one voice answered, "None. " But on the samequestion being put to their adversaries, the Swiss, Ambrosio, said thathe with whom he must fight appeared to be armed with a bow, which wasagainst the articles. Thereon Dick handed the bow and quiver to David, bidding him guard them until he asked for them again as he would his ownlife. In the event of his death, however, David was to give them to SirHugh, or if they both should die, to his own master, Sir Geoffrey. Allof these things David promised to do. 

Next followed a long discussion as to whether the four of them wereto fight in pairs, Cattrina and Ambrosio against Hugh and Dicksimultaneously, or whether Ambrosio was to fight alone with Dick, andCattrina with Hugh. Upon Cattrina and Ambrosio being asked their wishes, the former said that he desired to fight alone, as he feared lest theEnglish archer, if he overcame Ambrosio, should turn on him also, orperhaps hamstring his horse. 

Then the Englishmen were asked what they wished, and replied that theydid not care how it was arranged, being ready to fight either togetheror separately, as the Doge might decree. 

The end of it was that after long consultations with sundry experts insuch matters, the Most Illustrious decided that the Captains Ambrosioand Richard the Archer should first engage on foot, and when thatbusiness was settled the two knights should take their place in thearena. 

So the end of it was that more than half an hour after the combat shouldhave begun, Dick and the gigantic Ambrosio found themselves standingface to face waiting for the signal to engage, the Swiss shoutingthreats and defiance and Grey Dick grinning and watching him out of hishalf-shut eyes. 

At length it came in the shape of a single blast upon a trumpet. Nowseeing that Dick stood quite still, not even raising his axe, the Swissadvanced and struck a mighty blow at him, which Dick avoided by steppingaside. Recovering himself, again Ambrosio struck. This blow Dick caughtupon his shield, then, as though he were afraid, began to retreat, slowly at first, but afterward faster till his walk broke into a run. 

At this sight all that mighty audience set up a hooting. "Coward! Dog!Pig of an Englishman!" they yelled; and the louder they yelled the morequickly did Grey Dick run, till at last even Hugh grew puzzled wonderingwhat was in his mind and hoping that he would change it soon. So theaudience hooted, and Grey Dick ran and the giant Swiss lumbered alongafter him, bellowing triumphantly and brandishing his battle-axe, which, it was noted, never seemed to be quite long enough to reach his flyingfoe. 

When this had gone on for two or three minutes, Grey Dick stumbled andfell. The Swiss, who was following fast, likewise tripped and fell overhim heavily, whereon the multitude shouted:

"Foul play! A dirty, foreign trick!"

In an instant Dick was up again, and had leapt upon the prostrate Swiss, as all thought, to kill him. But instead the only thing he did was toget behind him and kick him with his foot until he also rose. Thereatsome laughed, but others, who had bets upon their champion, groaned. 

Now the Swiss, having lost his shield in his fall, rushed at Dick, grasping his axe with both hands. As before, the Englishman avoided theblow, but for the first time he struck back, catching the giant on theshoulder though not very heavily. Then with a shout of "St. George andEngland!" he went in at him. 

Hither and thither sprang Dick, now out of reach of the axe of the Swissand now beneath his guard. But ever as he sprang he delivered blow uponblow, each harder than the last, till there appeared scars and rentsin the fine white mail. Soon it became clear that the great Swiss wasovermatched and spent. He breathed heavily, his strokes grew wild, heover-balanced, recovered himself, and at last in his turn began to flyin good earnest. 

Now after him went Dick, battering at his back, but, as all might see, with the flat of his axe, not with its edge. Yes, he was beating him asa man might beat a carpet, beating him till he roared with pain. 

"Fight, Ambrosio, fight! Don't fly!" shouted the crowd, and he tried towheel round, only to be knocked prostrate by a single blow upon the headwhich the Englishman delivered with the hammer-like back of his axe. 

Then Dick was seen to kneel upon him and cut the lashings of his helmetwith his dagger, doubtless to give the _coup de grâce_, or so theythought. 

"Our man is murdered!" yelled the common people, while those of thebetter sort remained shamed and silent. 

Dick rose, and they groaned, thinking that all was done. But lo!stooping down he helped the breathless Swiss, whom he had disarmed, tohis feet. Then, taking him by the nape of the neck, which was easy, ashis helmet was off, with one hand, while in the other he held his baredknife, Dick thrust him before him till they reached the tribune of theDoge. 

"Be pleased to tell the Illustrious, " he said, to Sir Geoffrey, "thatthis braggart having surrendered, I spared his life and now return himto his brother the Page quite unharmed, since I did not wish to woundone who was in my power from the first. Only when he gets home I praythat he will look at his back in a glass and judge which of us it isthat has been 'beaten to a pulp. ' Let him return thanks also to hispatron saint, who put pity in my heart, so that I did not cut him intocollops, as I promised. For know, sir, that when I walked out yonderit was my purpose to hew off his hands and shorten him at the knees. Stay--one word more. If yonder boaster has more brothers who really wishto fight, I'll take them one by one and swear to them that this timeI'll not give back a step unless I'm carried. "

"Do you indeed yield and accept the Englishman's mercy?" asked the Dogein a stern voice. 

The poor Ambrosio, making no answer, blundered forward among the crowdand there vanished, and this was the last that Dick ever saw or heard ofhim. But, although he waited there a while, feeling the edge of his axeand glaring about him, none of the captain's companions came forward toaccept his challenge. 

At length, with a shrug of his shoulders, Dick turned. Having taken hisbow and quiver from David, who could not conceal his indecent joy at theutter humiliation of Ambrosio, whom he hated with a truly British hate, he walked slowly to where Hugh sat upon his horse. 

"The jest is done, master, and now for good earnest, since 'tis yourturn. The Saints save me such another cow hunt in this hell's heat. HadI killed him at once I should be cooler now, but it came into my mind tolet the hound live. Indeed, to speak truth, I thought that I heard thevoice of Murgh behind me, saying, 'Spare, ' and knew that I must obey. "

"I hope he will say nothing of the sort to me presently, " answered Hugh, "if he is here, which I doubt. Why, what is it now? Those gold-coatedmarshals are talking again. "

Talking they were, evidently at the instance of Cattrina, or hiscounsellors, who had raised some new objections, which Sir Geoffreystepped forward to explain to them. But Hugh would not even hear himout. 

"Tell the man and all whom it may concern, " he said in an angry voice, "that I am ready to fight him as he will, on horse or on foot, withlance or sword or axe or dagger, or any or all of them, in mail orwithout it; or, if it pleases him, stripped to the shirt. Only let himsettle swiftly, since unless the sweat runs into my eyes and dims them, it seems to me that night is coming before it is noon. "

"You are right, " answered Sir Geoffrey, "this gathering gloom is ominousand fearful. I think that some awesome tempest must be about to burst. Also it seems to me that Cattrina has no stomach for this fray, else hewould not raise so many points of martial law and custom. "

Then wiping his brow with a silken handkerchief he returned to deliverthe message. 

Now Hugh and Dick, watching, saw that Cattrina and those who advised himcould find no further loophole for argument. They saw, moreover, thatthe Doge grew angry, for he rose in his seat, throwing off his velvetrobe of office, of which it appeared that he could no longer bear theweight, and spoke in a hard voice to Cattrina and his squires. Next, once more the titles of the combatants were read, and their cause ofcombat, and while this went on Hugh bade Dick bind about his right arma certain red ribbon that Eve had given him, saying that he wished tofight wearing his lady's favour. 

Dick obeyed, muttering that he thought such humours foolish and that aknight might as well wear a woman's petticoat as her ribbon. By now, sodim had the light grown, he could scarce see to tie the knot. 

Indeed, the weather was very strange. 

From the dark, lowering sky above a palpable blackness sank downwardas though the clouds themselves were falling of their own weight, whilefrom the sea great rolls of vapour came sweeping in like waves. Alsothis sea itself had found a voice, for, although it was so calm, itmoaned like a world in pain. The great multitude began to murmur, andtheir faces, lifted upward toward the sky, grew ghastly white. Fear, they knew not of what, had got hold of them. A voice cried shrilly:

"Let them fight and have done. We would get home ere the tempestbursts. "

The first trumpet blew and the horses of the knights, which whinnieduneasily, were led to their stations. The second trumpet blew and theknights laid their lances in rest. Then ere the third trumpet couldsound, suddenly the darkness of midnight swallowed all the scene. 

Dick groped his way to Hugh's side. "Bide where you are, " he said, "theend of the world is here; let us meet it like men and together. "

"Ay, " answered Hugh, and his voice rang hollow through his closed visor, "without doubt it is the end of the world, and Murgh, the Minister, hasbeen sent to open the doors of heaven and hell. God have mercy on usall!"

So they stayed there, hearkening to the groans and prayers of theterrified multitude about them, Dick holding the bridle of the horse, which shook from head to foot, but never stirred. For some minutesthey remained thus, till suddenly the sky began to lighten, but withno natural light. The colour of it, of the earth beneath and of theair between was a deep, terrible red, that caused all things to seemas though they were dyed in blood. Lighter and lighter and redder andredder it grew, the long stand and the pavilions became visible, andafter them the dense, deep ring of spectators. Many of these werekneeling, while others, who could find no space to kneel, held theirhands upstretched toward heaven, or beat their breasts and wept in theemotional fashion of the country. 

Yet not on them were the eyes of Hugh and Grey Dick fixed, but rather ona single figure which stood quite alone in the midst of that greatarena where Cattrina and his horse should have been, where they had beenindeed but a little while before. The figure was clothed in a red andyellow cap shaped like a cock's-comb, in black furs, a yellow robe andwhite gloves and sandals. Yonder it stood, fantastic, fearful, its bareand brawny arms crossed upon its breast, its head bowed as thoughit contemplated the ground. There was not an eye of all the tens ofthousands of those who were present that did not see it; there was not avoice that did not break into a yell of terror and hate, till the earthshook with such a sound as might reverberate through the choked abyss ofhell. 

"The fiend! The fiend! The fiend!" said the shout. "Kill him! Kill him!Kill him!"

The figure looked up, the red light shone upon its stony face thatseemed one blotch of white amidst its glow. Then it stooped down andlifted from the sand a knight's lance such as Cattrina had held. Itraised the lance and with it pointed four times, east and west andnorth and south, holding it finally for a while in the direction of thetribune, where sat the Doge with all his noble company, and of Venicebeyond. Lastly, with a quick and easy motion, it cast the lance towardthe sky, whence it fell, remaining fixed point downward in the earth. Then a tongue of mist that had crept up from the sea enveloped it, andwhen that mist cleared away the shape was gone. 

Now the red haze thinned, and for the first time that morning the sunshone out in a sickly fashion. Although their nerves were torn by theunnatural darkness and the apparition that followed it, which all saw, yet none quite believed that they had seen, the multitude shouted forthe combat to proceed. 

Once more Hugh laid his lance in rest, thinking that Cattrina was there, although he could not see him. 

Then the third trumpet rang out--in that silence it sounded like theblast of doom--and Hugh spurred his horse forward a little way, buthalted, for he could perceive no foe advancing against him. He staredabout him, and at last in a rage threw his lance to a squire, and, turning his horse, galloped to the tribune. There he pulled it to hishaunches and shouted out in a great voice:

"Where is Cattrina? Am I to be fooled, who appear here as the championof the King of England? Where is Cattrina? Produce Cattrina that I mayslay him or be slain, or, Chivalry of Venice, be forever shamed!"

The Doge rose, uttering swift commands, and heralds ran here and there. Knights and captains searched the pavilions and every other place wherea mounted man might hide. But they never found Cattrina, and, returningat length, confessed as much with bowed heads. 

The Doge, maddened by this ignominy, seized the great gold chain uponhis beast and burst it in two. 

"Cattrina has fled!" he shouted. "Or Satan himself has carried him away!At the least let his name be erased from the Golden Book of Venice, anduntil he prove himself innocent, let no noble of Venice stretch outto him the hand of fellowship. Men of Venice, for you Cattrina and hisHouse are dead. "

"Will none take up his cause and fight for him?" asked Hugh throughSir Geoffrey, and presently, at the Doge's command, the challengewas repeated thrice by the herald. But to it no answer came. Of thisafterward Hugh was glad, since it was Cattrina's life he sought, notthat of any other man. Then Hugh spoke again, saying:

"I claim, O Illustrious, that I be written down as victor in this combatto the death, bloodless through no fault of mine. "

"It shall be so written, noble Hugh de Cressi, " said the Doge. "Let allVenice take notice thereof. "

As the words left his lips the solid earth began to heave and rock. 

At the first heave Hugh leaped from his horse, which screamed aloud andfled away, and gripped hold of Grey Dick. At the second, the multitudebroke out into wild cries, prayers and blasphemies, and rushed this wayand that. At the third, which came quite slowly and was the greatest ofthem all, the long stand of timber bent its flags toward him as thoughin salute, then, with a slow, grinding crash, fell over, entanglingall within it beneath its ruin. Also in the city beyond, houses, wholestreets of them, gabled churches and tall towers, sank to the earth, while where they had been rose up wreathed columns of dust. To the souththe sea became agitated. Spouts of foam appeared upon its smooth face;it drew back from the land, revealing the slime of ages and embeddedtherein long-forgotten wrecks. It heaped itself up like a mountain, then, with a swift and dreadful motion, advanced again in one vast wave. 

In an instant all that multitude were in full flight. 

Hugh and Dick fled like the rest, and with them David, though whitherthey went they knew not. 

All they knew was that the ground leapt and quivered beneath their feet, while behind them came the horrible, seething hiss of water on the crestof which men were tossed up and down like bits of floating wood. 

CHAPTER XV

THE DEATH AT WORK

Presently Hugh halted, taking shelter with his two companions behind thestone wall of a shed that the earthquake had shattered, for here theycould not be trodden down by the mob of fugitives. 

"The wave has spent itself, " he said, pointing to the line of foam thatnow retreated toward the ocean, taking with it many drowned or drowningmen. "Let us return and seek for Sir Geoffrey. It will be shameful if weleave him trapped yonder like a rat. "

Dick nodded, and making a wide circuit to avoid the maddened crowd, theycame safely to the wrecked stand where they had last seen Sir Geoffreytalking with the Doge. Every minute indeed the mob grew thinner, sincethe most of them had already passed, treading the life out of those whofell as they went. 

From this stand more than three fourths of those who were seated therehad already broken out, since it had not fallen utterly, and by goodfortune was open on all sides. Some, however, tangled in the canvasroof, were still trying to escape. Other poor creatures had been crushedto death, or, broken-limbed, lay helpless, or, worse still, were helddown beneath the fallen beams. 

Several of these they freed, whereon those who were unharmed at onceran away without thanking them. But for a long while they could findno trace of Sir Geoffrey. Indeed, they were near to abandoning theirsearch, for the sights and sounds were sickening even to men who wereaccustomed to those of battlefields, when Dick's quick ears caught thetones of an English voice calling for help. Apparently it came from theback of the Doge's tribune, where lay a heap of dead. Gaily dressed folkwho had fallen in the flight and been crushed, not by the earthquake, but by the feet of their fellows. These blackened and disfigured menand women they dragged away with much toil, and at last, to their joy, beneath them all found Sir Geoffrey Carleon. In another few minutes hemust have died, for he was almost suffocated. 

Indeed he would certainly have perished with the others had he not beenthrown under a fixed bench, whence one leg projected, which, as theycould see at once, was crushed and broken. They drew him out as gentlyas they could and gave him water to drink, whereof, mercifully forthem all, since by now they were utterly parched with thirst, they haddiscovered a large silver pitcher full, standing in the corner of alittle ante-chamber to the tribune. It was half hidden with fragmentsof fine dresses and even jewels torn from the persons of the lords andladies. 

"I thank you, friends, " he said faintly. "I prayed them to keep seated, but they went mad and would not listen. Those behind trod down those infront, till that doorway was choked and I was hurled beneath the bench. Oh, it was terrible to hear them dying about me and to know that soon Imust follow! This, had it not been for you, I should have done, for myleg is crushed and there was no air. "

Then, having drunk and drunk until even their raging thirst wassatisfied, they found a plank. Laying Sir Geoffrey on it, they departedfrom that human shambles, whence the piteous cries of those stillimprisoned there, whom they could not reach, pursued them horribly. 

Thus, slowly enough, for there were but three of them, two hampered bytheir mail, they bore Sir Geoffrey across the Place of Arms. Save forthe dead and dying, and some ghoul-like knaves who plundered them, bythis time it was almost deserted. 

Indeed, a large band of these wretches, who had emerged like wolves fromtheir lairs in the lowest quarters of the great city, catching sight ofthe gold chain Sir Geoffrey wore, ran up with drawn daggers to kill androb them. 

Seeing them come Grey Dick slipped the black bow from its case and sentan arrow singing through the heart of the one-eyed villain who captainedthem. Thereon the rest left him where he fell and ran off to steal andslay elsewhere. Then without a word Dick unstrung the bow and once morelaid hold of an end of the plank. 

They came to the mouth of that street where the bravoes had waylaid themon the previous night, only to find that they could not pass this way. Here most of the houses were thrown down, and from their ruins rosesmoke and the hideous screams of those who perished. It was this partof Venice, the home of the poorer folk, which suffered most from theearthquake, that had scarcely touched many of the finer quarters. Still, it was reckoned afterward that in all it took a toll of nearly tenthousand lives. 

Turning from this street, they made their way to the banks of a greatcanal that here ran into the harbour, that on which they had been rowedto the Place of Arms. Here by good luck they found a small boat floatingkeep uppermost, for it had been overturned by the number of people whocrowded into it. This boat they righted with much toil and discoveredwithin it a drowned lady, also an oar caught beneath the seat. Afterthis their dreadful journey was easy, at least by comparison. Fornow all the gloom had rolled away, the sun shone out and a fresh andpleasant wind blew from the sea toward the land. 

So, at last, passing many sad and strange scenes that need not bedescribed, they came safely to the steps of the ambassador's beautifulhouse which was quite uninjured. Here they found several of his servantswringing their hands and weeping, for word had been brought to them thathe was dead. Also in the hall they were met by another woe, for there ona couch lay stretched the Lady Carleon smitten with some dread sicknesswhich caused blood to flow from her mouth and ears. A physician wasbending over her, for by good fortune one had been found. 

Sir Geoffrey asked him what ailed his wife. He answered that he did notknow, having never seen the like till that morning, when he had beencalled in to attend three such cases in houses far apart, whereof onedied within ten minutes of being struck. 

Just then Lady Carleon's senses returned, and opening her eyes she sawSir Geoffrey, whom they had laid down upon another couch close to her. 

"Oh, they told me that you were dead, husband, " she said, "crushed orswallowed in the earthquake! But I thank God they lied. Yet what ailsyou, sweetheart, that you do not stand upon your feet?"

"Little, dear wife, little, " he answered in a cheerful voice. "My footis somewhat crushed, that is all. Still 'tis true that had it not beenfor this brave knight and his squire I must have lain where I was till Iperished. "

Now Lady Carleon raised herself slightly and looked at Hugh and Dick, who stood together, bewildered and overwhelmed. 

"Heaven's blessings be on your heads, " she exclaimed, "for theseVenetians would surely have left him to his doom. Ah, I thought that itwas you who must die to-day, but now I know it is I, and perchance mylord. Physician, " she added after a pause, "trouble not with me, for myhour has come; I feel it at my heart. Tend my lord there, who, unlessthis foul sickness takes him also, may yet be saved. "

So they carried them both to their own large sleeping chamber on theupper floor. There the surgeon set Sir Geoffrey's broken bone skilfullyenough, though when he saw the state of the crushed limb, he shookhis head and said it would be best to cut it off. This, however, SirGeoffrey would not suffer to be done. 

"It will kill me, I am sure, or if not, then the pest which that ship, _Light of the East_, has brought here from Cyprus, will do its work onme. But I care nothing, for since you say that my wife must die I woulddie with her and be at rest. "

At sunset Lady Carleon died. Ere she passed away she sent for Hugh andDick. Her bed by her command had been moved to an open window, for sheseemed to crave air. By it was placed that of Sir Geoffrey so that thetwo of them could hold each other's hand. 

"I would die looking toward England, Sir Hugh, " she said, with a faintsmile, "though alas! I may not sleep in that churchyard on the Sussexdowns where I had hoped that I might lie at last. Now, Sir Hugh, I praythis of your Christian charity and by the English blood which runs inus, that you will swear to me that you and your squire will not leavemy lord alone among these Southern folk, but that you will bide with himand nurse him till he recovers or dies, as God may will. Also that youwill see me buried by the bones of my child--they will tell you where. "

"Wife, " broke in Sir Geoffrey, "this knight is not of our kin. Doubtlesshe has business elsewhere. How can he bide with me here, mayhap forweeks?"

But Lady Carleon, who could speak no more, only looked at Hugh, whoanswered:

"Fear nothing. Here we will stay until he recovers--unless, " he added, "we ourselves should die. "

She smiled at him gratefully, then turned her face toward Sir Geoffreyand pressed his hand. So presently she passed away, the tears runningfrom her faded eyes. 

When it was over and the women had covered her, Hugh and Dick left theroom, for they could bear no more. 

"I have seen sad sights, " said Hugh, with something like a sob, "butnever before one so sad. "

"Ay, " answered Dick, "that of the wounded dying on Crecy field was a MayDay revel compared to this, though it is but one old woman who has gone. Oh, how heavily they parted who have dwelt together these forty years!And 'twas my careless tongue this morning that foretold it as a jest!"

In the hall they met the physician, who rushed wild-eyed through thedoorway to ask how his patients fared. 

"Ah!" he said to them in French when he knew. "Well, signors, thatnoble lady has not gone alone. I tell you that scores of whom I knoware already dead in Venice, swept off by this swift and horrible plague. Death and all his angels stalk through the city. They say that hehimself appeared last night, and this morning on the tilting groundby the quay, and by God's mercy--if He has any left for us--I can wellbelieve it. The Doge and his Council but now have issued a decree thatall who perish must be buried at once. See to it, signors, lest theofficers come and bear her away to some common grave, from which herrank will not protect her. "

Then he went to visit Sir Geoffrey. Returning presently, he gave themsome directions as to his treatment, and rushed out as he had rushed in. They never saw him again. Two days later they learned that he himselfwas dead of the pest. 

That night they buried Lady Carleon in her son's grave, which Dick hadhelped to prepare for her, since no sexton could be bribed to do thework. Indeed these were all busy enough attending to the interment ofthe great ones of Venice. In that churchyard alone they saw six buryingsin progress. Also after the priest had read his hurried Office, asthey left the gates, whence Lady Carleon's bearers had already fledaffrighted, they met more melancholy processions heralded by a torch ortwo whereof the light fell upon some sheeted and uncoffined form. 

"'Twixt earthquake and plague Murgh the Helper is helping very well, "said Grey Dick grimly, and Hugh only groaned in answer. 

Such was the beginning of the awful plague which travelled from the Eastto Venice and all Europe and afterward became known by the name ofthe Black Death. Day by day the number of its victims increased;the hundreds of yesterday were the thousands of the morrow. Soon thegraveyards were full, the plague pits, long and deep, were full, and thedead were taken out to sea by shiploads and there cast into the ocean. At length even this could not be done, since none were forthcomingwho would dare the task. For it became known that those who did sothemselves would surely die. 

So where folk fell, there they lay. In the houses were many of them;they cumbered and poisoned the streets and the very churches. Even theanimals sickened and perished, until that great city was turned into anopen tomb. The reek of it tainted the air for miles around, so that eventhose who passed it in ships far out to sea turned faint and presentlythemselves sickened and died. But ere they died they bore on the fatalgift to other lands. 

Moreover, starvation fell upon the place. Though the houses were full ofriches, these would scarce suffice to buy bread for those who remainedalive. The Doge and some of his Council passed laws to lighten themisery of the people, but soon few heeded these laws which none wereleft to enforce. The vagabonds and evil-minded men who began by robbingthe deserted houses of jewels, money and plate, ended by searching themfor food and casting aside their treasures as worthless dross. It waseven said that some of them did worse things, things not to be named, since in its extremities nature knows no shame. Only if bread and meatwere scarce, wine remained in plenty. In the midst of death men--yes, and women--who perhaps had deserted their wives, their husbands or theirchildren, fearing to take the evil from them, made the nights horribleby their drunken blasphemies and revellings, as sailors sometimes doupon a sinking ship. Knowing that they must die, they wished to diemerry. 

Sir Geoffrey Carleon lived a long while after the death of his wife. When he passed away at last, ten days or so later, it was painlessly ofthe mortification of his broken limb, not of the pest, which went by himas though it knew that he was already doomed. 

All this time Hugh, Grey Dick, and David Day nursed him without ceasing. Indeed with the exception of a woman so ancient and shrivelled thatnothing seemed able to harm her any more, no one else was left in thegreat _palazzo_, for all the rest of the household had perished or fledaway. This woman, who was the grandmother of one of the servants, nowdead of the plague, cooked their food. Of such provision fortunatelythere was much laid up in the storerooms for use in the winter, sinceLady Carleon had been a good and provident housewife. 

So those three did not starve, although Sir Geoffrey would touch littleof the salted stuff. He existed on a few fruits when they could getthem, and after these were gone, on wine mingled with water. 

At length came the end. For two days he had lain senseless. One night, however, David, who was watching in his chamber, crept into the roomwhere Hugh slept hard by and told them that Sir Geoffrey was awake andcalling them. They rose and went to him. By the light of the moon whichshone in at the open window, that same window through which Lady Carleonhad looked toward England ere she passed away, they saw him lyingquietly, a happy smile upon his face. 

"Friends, " he said in a weak voice, "by the mercy of God, I go out ofthis hell to heaven, or so I think. But, if indeed this be not the endof the world, I hope that you who have lived so long will continue tolive, and I have sent for you to bless you and to thank you both. Inyonder case are certain papers that have to do with the King's business. I pray you deliver them to his Grace if you can and with them my homageand my thanks for the trust that he has reposed in me. Tell him what Ihave not written in the letters"--and here he smiled faintly--"that Ithink that few of his creditors in Venice will trouble him at present, though afterward their heirs, if they have left any, may do so. Say, too, to the Doge, who, I believe, still lives, that I send him my goodwishes and respects. Also that I grieve that I have not been able tohand him my letters of recall in person, since the King who summons mesends none. 

"So much for business, but there are two things more: I have norelatives living save my wife's sister. Therefore, Sir Hugh and CaptainRichard, I have made you my joint heirs with her; my testament dulysigned and witnessed is in that case with the other papers. My wealth isnot great. Still there are certain land and manors in England, a sum ofmoney placed with a merchant in London, whose name you will find writtenin the testament, my plate and gold coin here, though the former you maynot be able to move. Therefore I charge you to bury it and return for itlater on, if you can. It is of value, since all my life I have collectedsuch trinkets. I beg you to make provision also for this good lad, David, should he be spared. "

He paused a while, for he was growing very weak, then added:

"Another thing is that I ask you, if it be possible, to row my body outto sea and there sink it in deep water, deep, clean water, far from thisplace of stench and pestilence, for I would not lie in the common pitat last. Now kneel down and pray for my passing soul, since there is nopriest to give me absolution, and I must seek it straight from God. Nay, thank me not. I have done with the world and its affairs. Kneel down andpray, as I pray for you, that you may be spared on earth and that we maymeet again in heaven, where my wife and others await me. "

They obeyed, weeping, yes, even Grey Dick wept a little. Presently whenthey looked up they saw that Sir Geoffrey was dead, dead without pain orsorrow. Of the first he had suffered none for days, and the second wasfar from him who wished to die. 

Leaving the ancient woman in charge of the house, which she barred andbolted, next morning they took a boat, and the three of them rowed thebody of the old knight a league out into the quiet sea. There, after abrief prayer, they cast him into the deep, weighted with stones, so thathe might never rise again. 

Then they returned, not too soon, for they found thieves in the act ofbreaking into the house, probably in search of food. These miserable, half-starved men they spared, though they could have killed them easilyenough. They even gave them a pouch full of biscuit and dried meat erethey dismissed them. This they did quickly, since one of them, as theycould see, was already stricken by the plague and had not long to live. When they were gone, the old woman being out of the house, whence shehad fled on hearing the robbers, they collected all Sir Geoffrey's andhis lady's jewels and plate, of which there was much, for he lived instate in Venice, as became an ambassador. These they buried in threelarge iron boxes beneath the flagstones of the cellar, the safest placethat they could find. Having thrown the excavated earth into the canalunder cover of the dark, they replaced these stones and strewed dustover them. 

Wondering whether it would ever be their lot to look upon these chestsand their contents again, they left the cellar, to find the old womanknocking at the back door of the house, whither she had returned, frightened by the sights and sounds in the city. They bade her bringthem food, which they needed much who had laboured so hard on thatsorrowful day, and after they had eaten took counsel together. 

"Seeing that all three of us are still in health, as if there isanything in the promises of Murgh we should remain, is it not time, master, " asked Grey Dick, "that we left this accursed Venice? Now thatSir Geoffrey is gone, there is naught to keep us here. "

"One thing I have to do first, " answered Hugh, "and it is to learnwhether Sir Edmund Acour, lord of Cattrina, is dead or living, and ifliving where he hides himself away. While Sir Geoffrey lay dying wecould not leave him to make search, but now it is otherwise. "

"Ay, master, though I think you'll find the task hard in this hive ofpestilence and confusion. "

"I have heard that the plague is at work in Cattrina's palace, " brokein David, "but when I asked whether he were there or no, none could tellme. That is not a house where you'll be welcomed, Sir Hugh. "

"Still I will make bold to knock at his doors to-morrow, " answered Hugh. "Now let us seek what we all need--sleep. "

So on the following morning shortly after sunrise Hugh and Grey Dick, guided by David, took boat and rowed through most fearful scenes andsounds to the Palazzo Cattrina, a splendid but somewhat dilapidatedbuilding situated in a part of the city that, like itself, had seen moreprosperous times. The great doors of the place set in a marble archwaystood half open. Over them were cut the cognizance of the floating swan, and beneath, in letters of faded gold, the titles of Acour, de Noyon, and Cattrina. No wonder they were open, since the porter's lodge wasoccupied only by a grisly corpse that lay rotting on the floor, a heavykey in its hand. The courtyard beyond was empty and so, save for a deadhorse, were the stables to the right. Passing up the steps of the hallthat also stood open, they entered. 

Here the place was in confusion, as though those who dwelt there hadleft in haste. The mouldering remains of a meal lay on the broad oaktable; a great dower-chest inlaid with ivory, but half filled with armsand armour, stood wide. A silver crucifix that had hung above was torndown and cast upon the floor, perchance by thieves who had found it tooheavy to bear away. The earthquake had thrown over a carved cabinet andsome bowls of glazed ware that stood upon it. These lay about shatteredamidst shields and swords thrown from the walls, where pictures ofsaints or perchance of dead Cattrinas hung all awry. In short, if anarmy had sacked it this stately hall could scarce have seemed moreruined. 

Hugh and Dick crossed it to a stairway of chestnut wood whereof everynewel-post was surmounted by the crest of a swan, and searched thesaloons above, where also there was wreck and ruin. Then, still mountingthe stair, they came to the bed-chambers. From one of these theyretreated hastily, since on entering it hundreds of flies buzzing in acorner advised them that something lay there which they did not wish tosee. 

"Let us be going. I grow sick, " exclaimed Hugh. 

But Dick, who had the ears of a fox, held up his hand and said:

"Hark! I hear a voice. "

Following the sound, he led his master down two long corridors thatended in a chapel. There, lying before the altar, they found a man cladin a filthy priest's robe, a dying man who still had the strength to cryfor help or mercy, although in truth he was wasted to a skeleton, sincethe plague which had taken him was of the most lingering sort. Indeed, little seemed to be left of him save his rolling eyes, prominent noseand high cheekbones covered with yellow parchment that had been skin, and a stubbly growth of unshaven hair. 

Dick scanned him. Dick, who never forgot a face, then stepped forwardand said:

"So once more we meet in a chapel, Father Nicholas. Say, how has itfared with you since you fled through the chancel door of that atBlythburgh Manor? No, I forgot, that was not the last time we met. A manin a yellow cap ripped off your mask in a by-street near the Place ofArms one night and said something which it did not please you to hear. "

"Water!" moaned Nicholas. "For Christ's sake give me water!"

"Why should I give you water in payment for your midnight steel yonderin the narrow street? What kind of water was it that you gave Red Evefar away at Blythburgh town?" asked Dick in his hissing voice whichsounded like that of an angry snake. 

But Hugh, who could bear no more of it, ran down to the courtyard, wherehe had seen a pitcher standing by a well, and brought water. 

"Thank God that you have come again, " said the wretched priest, as hesnatched at it, "for I cannot bear to die with this white-faced devilglaring at me, " and he pointed to Grey Dick, who leaned against thechancel wall, his arms folded on his breast, smiling coldly. 

Then he drank greedily, Hugh holding the pitcher to his lips, for hiswasted arms could not bear its weight. 

"Now, " said Hugh, when his thirst was satisfied, "tell me, where is yourmaster, Cattrina?"

"God or the fiend can say alone. When he found that I was smitten withthe plague he left me to perish, as did the others. "

"And as we shall do unless you tell me whither my enemy has gone, " andHugh made as though to leave the place. 

The priest clutched at him with his filthy, claw-like hand. 

"For Christ's sake do not desert me, " he moaned. "Let one Christian soulbe near me at the last ere the curse of that wizard with the yellow capis fulfilled on me. For the sake of Jesus, stay! I'll tell all I know. "

"Speak then, and be swift. You have no time to spare, I think. "

"When the darkness fell there in the Place of Arms, " began Nicholas, "while you knights were waiting for the third blast of the trumpet, Cattrina fled under cover it. "

"As I thought, the accursed coward!" exclaimed Hugh bitterly. 

"Nay, to be just, it was not all cowardice. The wizard in the yellowcap, he who showed himself to the people afterward and called downthis Black Death on Venice, appeared to him in the darkness and saidsomething to him that turned his heart to water. I think it was that ifhe stayed, within five short minutes he'd be dead, who otherwise, if hefled, had yet a breathing space of life. So he went. "

"Ay. But whither, man? Whither?"

"Here to his house, where he disguised himself and bade me prepare totravel with him. Only then the sickness took me and I could not. So hewent with some of his people, riding for Avignon. "

"What to do at Avignon?"

"To obtain the confirmation of his marriage with the lady Eve Clavering. It has been promised to him by certain cardinals at Court who have theear of his Holiness the Pope. "

"Ah, I thought it! What more?"

"Only this: tidings reached him that the lady Clavering, with the oldTemplar, Sir Andrew Arnold, journeys to Avignon from England, there toobtain the dissolution of their marriage with Sir Edmund Acour, Count deNoyon, Lord of Cattrina. In Avignon, however the cause may go, Cattrinapurposes to snare and make her his, which will be easy, for there he hasmany friends and she has none. "

"Except God!" exclaimed Hugh, grinding his teeth. 

"And Sir Andrew Arnold, " broke in Dick, "who, like some others, is, Ithink, one of His ministers. Still, we had better be riding, master. "

"Nay, nay, " cried Nicholas in a hoarse scream. "Tarry a while and I'lltell you that which will force the Pope to void this marriage. Yes, itshall be set in writing and signed by me and witnessed ere I die. Thereis ink and parchment in yonder little room. "

"That's a good thought, " said Hugh. "Dick, fetch the tools, for if wetry to move this fellow he will go farther than we can follow him. "

Dick went and returned presently with an ink-horn, a roll of parchment, pens and a little table. Then Hugh sat himself down on the altar rail, placing the table in front of him and said:

"Say on. I'll write, since you cannot. "

Now Nicholas, having before his glazing eyes the vision of imminentjudgment, briefly but clearly told all the truth at last. He told how hehad drugged Red Eve, giving the name of the bane which he mixed in themilk she drank. He told how when her mind was sleeping, though her bodywas awake, none knowing the wickedness that had been wrought save he andAcour, and least of all her father, they had led her to the altar likea lamb to the slaughter, and there married her to the man she hated. Hetold how, although he had fled from England to save his life, Acour hadnever ceased to desire her and to plot to get her into his power, anymore than he had ceased to fear Hugh's vengeance. For this reason, hesaid, he had clad himself in the armour of another knight at Crecy, andin that guise accepted mercy at Hugh's hand, leaving de la Roche todie in his place beneath that same hand. For this reason also he hadcommanded him, Nicholas, to bring about the death of Hugh de Cressi andhis squire beneath the daggers of assassins in the streets of Venice, a fate from which they had been saved only by the wizard in the yellowcap, whom no steel could harm. 

"The black-hearted villain!" hissed Dick. "Well, for your comfort, holypriest, I'll tell you who that wizard is. He is Death himself, Death theSword, Death the Fire, Death the Helper, and presently you'll meet himagain. "

"I knew it, I knew it, " groaned the wretched man. "Oh! such is the endof sin whereof we think so little in our day of strength. "

"Nay, " broke in Hugh, "you'll meet, not the minister, but Him whom heserves and in His hand are mercies. Be silent, Dick, for this wretchmakes confession and his time is short. Spare the tool and save yourwrath for him who wielded it. Go now and fetch David Day that he maywitness also. "

So Dick went, and Nicholas continued his tale, throwing light into manya dark place, though there was little more that Hugh thought worthy ofrecord. 

Presently David came and started back in horror at the sight of thatyellow tortured face set upon a living skeleton. Then the writing wasread and Nicholas, held up by Dick, set his signature with a tremblinghand to this his confession of the truth. This done they signed aswitnesses, all three of them. 

Now Hugh, whose pity was stirred, wished to move Nicholas and lay him ona bed in some chamber, and if they could, find someone to watch him tillthe end. But the priest refused this charity. 

"Let me die before the altar, " he said, "where I may set my eyes uponHim whom I have betrayed afresh, " and he pointed to the carved ivorycrucifix which hung above it. "Oh! be warned, be warned, my brethren, "he went on in a wailing voice. "You are all of you still young; you maybe led astray as I was by the desire for power, by the hope of wealth. You may sell yourselves to the wicked as I did, I who once was goodand strove toward the right. If Satan tempts you thus, then rememberNicholas the priest, and his dreadful death, and see how he pays hisservants. The plague has taken others, yet they have died at peace, butI, I die in hell before I see its fires. "

"Not so, " said Hugh, "you have repented, and I, against whom you havesinned perhaps more than all, forgive you, as I am sure my lady would, could she know. "

"Then it is more than I do, " muttered Grey Dick to himself. "Why shouldI forgive him because he rots alive, as many a better man has done, andgoes to reap what he has sown, who if he had won his way would have sentus before him at the dagger's point? Yet who knows? Each of us sins inhis own fashion, and perchance sin is born of the blood and not of thewill. If ever I meet Murgh again I'll ask him. But perhaps he will notanswer. "

Thus reflected Dick, half to David, who feared and did not understandhim, and half to himself. Ere ever he had finished with his thoughts, which were not such as Sir Andrew would have approved, Father Nicholasbegan to die. 

It was not a pleasant sight this death of his, though of its physicalpart nothing shall be written. Let that be buried with other records ofthe great plague. Only in this case his mind triumphed for a while overthe dissolution of his body. When there was little left of him save boneand sinew, still he found strength to cry out to God for mercy. Yes, andto raise himself and cast what had been arms about the ivory rood andkiss its feet with what had been lips, and in his last death struggle todrag it down and pant out his ultimate breath beneath its weight. 

So there they left him, a horrible, huddled heap upon which gleamed theivory crucifix, and went their way, gasping, into the air. 

CHAPTER XVI

AT AVIGNON

Hard upon two months had gone by when at length these three, Hugh, Grey Dick, and David Day, set eyes upon the towers of stately Avignonstanding red against the sunset and encircled by the blue waters of theRhone. Terrible beyond imagination had been the journey of these men, who followed in the footsteps of Murgh. They saw him not, it is true, but always they saw his handiwork. Death, death, everywhere death, nothing but death!

One night they supped at an inn with the host, his family and servants, twelve folk in all, in seeming health. When they rose in the morningone old woman and a little child alone remained; the rest were deador dying. One day they were surprised and taken by robbers, desperateoutcasts of the mountains, who gave them twenty-four hours to "maketheir peace with heaven"--ere they hanged them because they had slain somany of the band before they were overpowered. 

But when those twenty-four hours of grace had elapsed, it would havebeen easy for them to hang all who remained of those robbers themselves. So they took the best of their horses and their ill-gotten gold and rodeon again, leaving the murderers murdered by a stronger power than man. 

They went through desolate villages, where the crops rotted in thefields; they went through stricken towns whereof the moan and the stenchrose in a foul incense to heaven; they crossed rivers where the veryfish had died by thousands, poisoned of the dead that rolled seawardin their waters. The pleasant land had become a hell, and untouched, unharmed, they plodded onward through those deeps of hell. But a nightor two before they had slept in a city whereof the population, or thosewho remained alive of them, seemed to have gone mad. In one place theydanced and sang and made love in an open square. In another bandsof naked creatures marched the streets singing hymns and floggingthemselves till the blood ran down to their heels, while the passers-byprostrated themselves before them. These were the forerunners of the"Mad Dancers" of the following year. 

In a field outside of this city they came upon even a more dreadfulsight. Here forty or fifty frenzied people, most of them drunk, wereengaged in burning a poor Jew, his wife and two children upon a greatfire made of the staves of wine-casks, which they had plundered fromsome neighbouring cellars. When Hugh and his companions came upon thescene the Jew had already burned and this crowd of devils were preparingto cast his wife and children into the flames, which they had beenforced to see devour their husband and father. Indeed, with yells ofbrutal laughter, they were thrusting the children into two great casksere they rolled them into the heart of the fire, while the wretchedmother stood by and shrieked. 

"What do you, sirs?" asked Hugh, riding up to them. 

"We burn wizards and their spawn, Sir Knight, " answered the ringleader. "Know that these accursed Jews have poisoned the wells of our town--wehave witnesses who saw them do it--and thus brought the plague uponus. Moreover, she, " and he pointed to the woman--"was seen talking notfourteen days ago to the devil in a yellow cap, who appears everywherebefore the Death begins. Now, roll them in, roll them in!"

Hugh drew his sword, for this sight was more than his English flesh andblood could bear. Dick also unsheathed the black bow, while young Davidproduced a great knife which he carried. 

"Free those children!" said Hugh to the man with whom he had spoken, afat fellow, with rolling, bloodshot eyes. 

"Get you to hell, stranger, " he answered, "or we'll throw you on thefire also as a Jew in knight's dress. "

"Free those children!" said Hugh again in a terrible voice, "or I sendyou before them. Be warned! I speak truth. "

"Be you warned, stranger, for I speak truth also, " replied the man, mimicking him. "Now friends, " he added, "tuck up the devil's brats intheir warm bed. "

They were his last words, for Hugh thrust with his sword and down hewent. 

Now a furious clamour arose. The mob snatched up burning staves, bludgeons, knives or whatever they had at hand, and prepared to kill thethree. Without waiting for orders, Dick began to shoot. David, a boldyoung man, rushed at one of the most violent and stabbed him, and Hugh, who had leapt from his horse, set himself back to back with the othertwo. Thrice Dick shot, and at the third deadly arrow these drunkenfellows grew sober enough to understand that they wished no more ofthem. 

Suddenly, acting on a common impulse, they fled away, every one, onlyleaving behind them those who had fallen beneath the arrows and thesword. But some who were so full of wine that they could not run, tumbled headlong and lay there helpless. 

"Woman, " said Hugh when they had departed, "your husband is lost, butyou and your children are saved. Now go your ways and thank whatever Godyou worship for His small mercies. "

"Alas! Sir Knight, " the poor creature, a still young and not unhandsomeJewess, wailed in answer, "whither shall I go? If I return to that townthose Christian men will surely murder me and my children as they havealready murdered my husband. Kill us now by the sword or the bow--itwill be a kindness--but leave us not here to be tortured by theChristian men according to their fashion with us poor Jews. "

"Are you willing to go to Avignon?" asked Hugh, after thinking awhile. 

"Ay, Sir Knight, or anywhere away from these Christians. Indeed, atAvignon I have a brother who perchance will protect us. "

"Then mount my horse, " said Hugh. "Dick and David, draw those twoyoungsters from the tubs and set them on your beasts; we can walk. "

So the children, two comely little girls of eight and six years of age, or thereabout, were dragged out of their dreadful prisons and lifted tothe saddle. The wretched widow, running to the bonfire, snatched from ither husband's burnt-off hand and hid it in the bosom of her filthy robe. Then she took some of the white ashes and threw them toward that city, muttering curses as she did so. 

"What do you?" asked Hugh curiously. 

"I pray, sir, to Jehovah, the God of the Jews, that for every grainof these ashes He may take a life in payment for that of my murderedhusband, and I think that He will listen. "

"Like enough, " answered Hugh, crossing himself, "but, woman, can youwonder that we Christians hold you sorcerers when we hear such prayersfrom your lips?"

She turned with a tragic motion, and, pointing to the bones of herhusband smouldering in the fire, answered:

"And can you wonder, sir, that we wretched creatures utter such prayerswhen you, our masters, do such deeds as this?"

"No, " answered Hugh, "I cannot. Let us be going from this shambles. "

So they went, a melancholy procession if ever there one was seen uponthis earth. As the three Englishmen marched behind the horses with theirweeping burdens Grey Dick reflected aloud after his fashion. 

"Jew and Christian!" he said. "The Jews killed one Man who chanced tobe a God, though they knew it not, and ever since the Christians havekilled thousands of the Jews. Now, which is the most wicked, those Jewswho killed the Man Who was a God, because He said He was a God, or thoseChristians who throw a man into a fire to burn before his wife's andchildren's eyes? A man who never said that he was a god, but who, theysaid, put poison into their wells, which he did not do, but which theybelieved he did because he was one of the race that thirteen hundredyears ago killed their God? Ah, well! Jew and Christian, I think thesame devil dwells in them all, but Murgh alone knows the truth of thematter. If ever we meet again, I'll ask him of it. Meanwhile, we go toAvignon in strange company, whereof all the holy priests yonder, if anyof them still live, to say nothing of the people, may demand an accountof us. "

So spoke Dick as one who seeks an answer, but neither of his companionsgave him any. 

On they went through the ruined land unpursued, although they had justbrought sundry men to their deaths. For now neither law nor justicewas left and those killed who could and those died who must, unwept andunavenged. Only certain travellers, flying they knew not whither, flyingfrom doom to doom, eyed them with hate and loathing because of theircompanions. Those who consorted with Jews must, they thought, be theenemies of every Christian soul. 

Well was it for them perhaps that the early winter night was closingin when they reached the wonderful bridge of St. Bénézet, now quiteunguarded, since a worse foe reigned in Avignon than any that it couldfear from without. They crossed it, unnoted, for here none lingered inthe gloom and rain save one poor woman, who called out to them that allshe loved were dead and that she went to seek them. Then, before theycould interfere, she scrambled to the parapet of the bridge and with awild cry leapt into the foaming waters that rushed beneath. 

"God forgive and rest her!" muttered Hugh, crossing himself. The othersonly shrugged their shoulders. Such dreadful sights fed their eyes dailytill they learned to take little note of them. 

In a deserted place on the farther side of the bridge they halted, andHugh said to the Jewish widow:

"Woman, here is Avignon, where you tell us there are those who willbefriend you, so now let us part. We have done what we can for you andit is not safe either for you or for us that we should be seen togetherin this Christian city. "

"Sir, you speak well, " she answered. "Be pleased ere we separate, tomeet no more perchance, to tell me your names that I may remember themand hand them down among my people from generation to generation. "

So he told her, and thrust onto her a gift of money and the most of suchfood as remained to them. Then the poor woman lifted up her arms andsaid:

"I, Rebecca, daughter of Onias and wife of Nathan, call down on you, Hugh de Cressi, Richard Archer and David Day, and on your childrenforever, the blessings of Jehovah, because you have rescued the widowand her children from the fire and avenged the murder of the husbandand the father. O God of my people, as Thou didst save Lot and his housefrom the flames of Sodom, so save these true-hearted and merciful men!Turn from them the sword of Thy wrath when it smites the sinful cities!Cast the cloak of Thy protection about them and all they love! Prospertheir handiwork in peace and in war, fulfil their desire upon theirenemies, and at last let them die full of years and honour and so begathered into Thy eternal bosom! Thus prayeth Rebecca, the daughter ofOnias, and thus shall it be. "

Then, leading her children, she turned and vanished into the darkness. 

"Now, " said Dick when she had gone, "although they were spoken by a Jewwhom men call accursed because their forefathers, fulfilling prophecy, or some few of them, wrought a great crime when the world was young andthereby brought about the salvation of mankind, as we believe, thoseare among the most comfortable words to which my ears have listened, especially such of them as dealt with the fulfilling of our desire uponour enemies in war. Well, they are spoke, and I doubt not registered ina book which will not be lost. So, master, let us seek a lodging in thiscity of Avignon, which, for my part, I do with a light heart. "

Hugh nodded, and his heart also was lightened by those words of blessingand good omen. Mounting their horses, they took a street that led thempast the great Roches des Doms, on the crest of which stood the mightypalace of the Popes, as yet unfinished, but still one of the vastestbuildings they had ever seen. Here on the battlements and in front ofthe gateway burned great fires, lit by order of his Holiness to purifythe air and protect him and his Court from the plague. 

Leaving this place on their right they rode slowly along one of theprincipal streets of the town, seeking an inn. Soon they found one, alarge place that had a sign on which three shepherds were painted, and turned to enter its gateway. But, when they saw them, out of thatgateway rushed a mob of frantic people waving swords and cudgels, andsaying that they would have no strangers there to bring the Death amongthem. 

"Let us go on, " said Hugh, "for here it seems we are not welcome. "

So they went and tried three other inns in turn. At two of them theymet with a like greeting, but the doors of the third were closed andthe place was deserted. Then, for a crowd began to gather round them, wearily enough they turned up another street at hazard. Thus they wendedtheir way back toward the great central rock, thinking that there theymight find some more hospitable tavern. 

Following this new street, they reached a less crowded suburb of thetown, where large dwellings stood in their own gardens. One of these, they saw by the flare of some of those fires which burned all about thecity in this time of pestilence, seemed to be a small castle. At leastit had a moat round it and a drawbridge, which was down. Seeing thatlamps burned in its windows, Hugh, who was worn out with their longjourneyings, took a sudden resolution. 

"Doubtless some knight dwells in this fine house, " he said to hiscompanions. "Let us go up and declare our names and degree and by virtueof them claim the hospitality which is our right. "

"Be it so, " grumbled Dick. "We cannot be worse treated there thanwe were at the inns, unless the owner adds arrows to the swords andcudgels. "

They rode across the drawbridge to the gateway of the little castle, which was open, and finding no one there, through a small courtyard tothe door, which also was open. 

David dismounted and knocked on it, but none answered. 

"An empty house belongs to no one, " said Dick; "at any rate in thesetimes. Let us enter. "

They did so, and saw that the place was sumptuously appointed. Thoughancient, it was not large, having, as they afterward discovered, been afortification on an outer wall now demolished, which had been turnedto the purposes of a dwelling. Leaving the hall out of which opened therefectory, they mounted a stone stair to the upper chambers, and enteredone of them. 

Here they saw a strange and piteous sight. On a bed, about which candlesstill burned, lay a young woman who had been very beautiful, arrayed ina bride's robe. 

"Dead of the plague, " said Hugh, "and deserted at her death. Well, shehad better luck than many, since she was not left to die alone. Herdress and these candles show it. "

"Ay, " answered Dick, "but fear took the watchers at last and theyare fled. Well, we will fill their place, and, if they do not returnto-morrow, give her honourable burial in her own courtyard. Here befine lodgings for us, master, so let us bide in them until the rightfulowners cast us out. Come, David, and help me raise that drawbridge. "

Fine lodgings these proved to be indeed, since, as they found, no housein Avignon was better furnished with all things needful. But, and thiswill show how dreadful were the times, during these days that they madethis their home they never so much as learned the name of that poor ladyarrayed in the bride's dress and laid out upon her marriage bed. 

In the butteries and cellar were plentiful provisions of food. Havingeaten of it with thankfulness, they chose out one of the bed-chambersand slept there quite undisturbed till the morning sun shone in at thewindow-places and awoke them. Then they arose, and, digging a shallowgrave in the courtyard with some garden tools which they found in ashed, they bore out the poor bride, and, removing only her jewels, whichwere rich enough, buried her there in her wedding dress. This sadduty finished, they washed themselves with water from the well, andbreakfasted. After they had eaten they consulted as to what they shoulddo next. 

"We came here to lay a certain cause before his Holiness, " said Hugh. "Let us go up to the palace, declare our business and estate, and askaudience. "

So, leaving David in charge of the house, which they named the Bride'sTower because of the dead lady and the little keep which rose above it, and of the horses that they had stalled in the stable, they went outand made their way to the great entrance of the Pope's palace. Here theyfound the gates shut and barred, with a huge fire burning behind them. 

Still they knocked until some guards appeared armed with cross-bows, andasked their business. They said they desired to see his Holiness, or atleast one of his secretaries, whereon the guards asked whence they came. They replied from Italy, and were told that if so they would find noentrance there, since the Death had come from Italy. Now Hugh gave hisname and stated his business on hearing which the guards laughed at him. 

"Annulment of a false marriage!" said their captain. "Go lay yourpetition before Death, who will do your business swiftly if he has notdone it already. Get you gone, you English knight, with your white-facedsquire. We want no English here at the best of times, and least of allif they hail from Italy. "

"Come on, master, " said Dick, "there are more ways into a house thanby the front door--and we won't want to leave our brains to grease itshinges. "

So they went away, wondering whither they should betake themselves orwhat they could do next. As it chanced, they had not long to wait foran answer. Presently a lantern-jawed notary in a frayed russet gown, whomust have been watching their movements, approached them and askedthem what had been their business at the Pope's palace. Hugh told him, whereon the lawyer, finding that he was a person of high degree, becamedeferential in his manner. Moreover, he announced that he was a notarynamed Basil of Tours and one of the legal secretaries of his Holiness, who just now was living without the gates of the palace by expresscommand in order to attend to the affairs of suitors at the PapalCourt during the Great Sickness. He added, however, that he was ableto communicate with those within, and that doubtless it might be in hispower to forward the cause of the noble knight, Sir Hugh de Cressi, inwhich already he took much interest. 

"There would be a fee?" suggested Dick, looking at the man coldly. 

Basil answered with a smirk that fees and legal affairs wereinseparable; the latter naturally involved the former. Not that he caredfor money, he remarked, especially in this time of general woe. Still, it would never do for a lawyer, however humble, to create a precedentwhich might be used against his craft in better days. Then he named asum. 

Hugh handed him double what he asked, whereon he began to manifest greatzeal in his case. Indeed, he accompanied them to the fortified housethat they had named the Bride's Tower, which he alleged, with or withouttruth, he had never seen before. There he wrote down all particulars ofthe suit. 

"Sir Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina?" he saidpresently. "Why I think that a lord of those names had audience with hisHoliness some while ago, just before the pest grew bad in Avignon andthe gates of the palace were ordered to be shut. I know not what passedon the occasion, not having been retained in the cause, but I will findout and tell you to-morrow. "

"Find out also, if it pleases you, learned Basil, " said Hugh, "whetheror no this knight with the three names is still in Avignon. If so, Ihave a word or two to say to him. "

"I will, I will, " answered the lantern-jawed notary. "Yet I think itmost unlikely that any one who can buy or beg a horse to ride away onshould stay in this old city just now, unless indeed, the laws of hisorder bind him to do so that he may minister to the afflicted. Well, if the pest spares me and you, to-morrow morning I will be back here atthis hour to tell you all that I can gather. "

"How did this sickness begin in Avignon?" asked Grey Dick. 

"Noble Squire, none know for certain. In the autumn we had great rains, heavy mists and other things contrary to the usual course of nature, such as strange lights shining in the heavens, and so forth. Then aftera day of much heat, one evening a man clad in a red and yellow cap, whowore a cloak of thick black furs and necklaces of black pearls, wasseen standing in the market-place. Indeed, I saw him myself. There wassomething so strange and dreadful about the appearance of thisman, although it is true that some say he was no more than a commonmountebank arrayed thus to win pence, that the people set upon him. They hurled stones at him, they attacked him with swords and every otherweapon, and thought that they had killed him, when suddenly he appearedoutside the throng unhurt. Then he stretched out his white-gloved handtoward them and melted into the gloom. 

"Only, " added Basil nervously, "it was noted afterward that all thosewho had tried to injure the man were among the first to die of the pest. Thank God, I was not one of them. Indeed I did my best to hold themback, which, perhaps, is the reason why I am alive to-day. "

"A strange story, " said Hugh, "though I have heard something like it inother cities through which we have passed. Well, till to-morrow at thishour, friend Basil. "

"We have learned two things, master, " said Dick, when the lawyer hadbowed himself out. "First, that Acour is, or has been, in Avignon, andsecondly, that Murgh the Messenger, Murgh the Sword, has been or is inAvignon. Let us go seek for one of the other of them, since for my partI desire to meet them both. "

So all that day they sought but found neither. 

Next morning Basil reappeared, according to his promise, and informedthem that their business was on foot. Also he said that it was likely toprove more difficult than he anticipated. Indeed, he understood that hewho was named de Noyon and Cattrina, having friends among the cardinals, had already obtained some provisional ratification of his marriage withthe lady Eve Clavering. This ratification it would now be costly anddifficult to set aside. 

Hugh answered that if only he could be granted an audience with hisHoliness, he had evidence which would make the justice of his causeplain. What he sought was an audience. 

The notary scratched his lantern jaws and asked how that could bebrought about when every gate of the palace was shut because of theplague. Still, perhaps, it might be managed, he added, if a certain sumwere forthcoming to bribe various janitors and persons in authority. 

Hugh gave him the sum out of the store of gold they had taken from therobbers in the mountains, with something over for himself. So Basildeparted, saying that he would return at the same hour on the morrow, if the plague spared him and them, his patrons, as he prayed the Saintsthat it might do. 

Hugh watched him go, then turned to Dick and said:

"I mistrust me of that hungry wolf in sheep's clothing who talks solarge and yet does nothing. Let us go out and search Avignon again. Perchance we may meet Acour, or at least gather some tidings of him. "

So they went, leaving the Tower locked and barred, who perchance wouldhave been wiser to follow Basil. A debased and fraudulent lawyer ofno character at all, this man lived upon such fees as he could wringwithout authority from those who came to lay their suits before thePapal Court, playing upon their hopes and fears and pretending to apower which he did not possess. Had they done so, they might have seenhim turn up a certain side street, and, when he was sure that nonewatched him, slip into the portal of an ancient house where visitors ofrank were accustomed to lodge. 

Mounting some stairs without meeting any one, for this house, like manyothers, seemed to be deserted in that time of pestilence, he knockedupon a door. 

"Begone, whoever you are, " growled a voice from within. "Here there areneither sick to be tended nor dead to be borne away. "

Had they been there to hear it, Hugh and Dick might have found thatvoice familiar. 

"Noble lord, " he replied, "I am the notary, Basil, and come upon yourbusiness. "

"Maybe, " said the voice, "but how know I that you have not been nearsome case of foul sickness and will not bring it here?"

"Have no fear, lord; I have been waiting on the healthy, not on thesick--a task which I leave to others who have more taste that way. "

Then the door was opened cautiously, and from the room beyond it came apungent odour of aromatic essences. Basil passed in, shutting it quicklybehind him. Before him at the further side of the table and near to ablazing fire stood Acour himself. He was clothed in a long robe andheld a piece of linen that was soaked in some strong-smelling substancebefore his nose and mouth. 

"Nay, come no nearer, " he said to the clerk, "for this infection is mostsubtle, and--be so good as to cast off that filthy cloak of yours andleave it by the door. "

Basil obeyed, revealing an undergarment that was still more foul. He wasnot one who wasted money on new apparel. 

"Well, man, " said Acour, surveying him with evident disgust and throwinga handful of dried herbs upon the fire, "what news now? Has my causebeen laid before his Holiness? I trust so, for know that I grow wearyof being cooped up here like a falcon in a cage with the dread of aloathsome death and a handful of frightened servants as companions whodo nothing but drone out prayers all day long. "

"Yes, lord, it has. I have it straight from Clement's own secretary, andthe answer is that his Holiness will attend to the matter when the pesthas passed away from Avignon, and not before. He adds also that whenit does so, if ever, all the parties to the cause, by themselves orby their representatives, must appear before him. He will give no _exparte_ judgment upon an issue which, from letters that have reached himappears to be complicated and doubtful. "

"Mother of Heaven!" exclaimed Acour, "what a fool am I to let you in totell me such tidings. Well, if that is all you have to say the soonerI am out of this hateful city the better. I ride this afternoon, or, ifneed be, walk on foot. "

"Indeed, " said Basil. "Then you leave behind you some who are notso frightened of their health, but who bide here upon a very similarerrand. Doubtless, as often happens to the bold, they will find a way tofulfil it. "

"And who may these be, fellow?"

"A bold and warlike knight, a squire with hair like tow and a face thatmight be worn by Death himself, and a young English serving man. "

Acour started up from the chair in which he had sat down. 

"No need to tell me their names, " he said, "but how, by hell's gate, came de Cressi and his familiar here. "

"By the road, I imagine, lord, like others. At least, a few days agothey were seen travelling toward the bridge of St. Bénézet in thecompany of certain Jews, whom, I am informed, they had rescued from thejust reward of their witchcraft. I have a note of all the facts, whichinclude the slaying of sundry good Christians on behalf of the saidJews. "

"Jews? Why, that is enough to hang them in these times. But what do theyhere and where do they lodge?"

"Like your lordship they strive to see the Pope. They desire thatan alleged marriage between one Sir Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon andSeigneur of Cattrina, and one lady Eve Clavering, an Englishwoman, maybe declared null and void. As they have been so good as to honour mewith their confidence and appoint me their agent, I am able to detailthe facts. Therefore I will tell you at once that the case of thisknight de Cressi appears to be excellent, since it includes the writtenconfession of a certain Father Nicholas, of whom perhaps you haveheard. "

"The written confession of Nicholas! Have you seen it?"

"Not as yet. So far I have been trusted with no original documents. Isit your will that I should try to possess myself of these? Because, if so, I will do my best, provided----" and he looked at the pocket ofAcour's robe. 

"How much?" asked Acour. The man named a great sum, half to be paid downand half on the delivery of the papers. 

"I'll double it, " said Acour, "if you can bring it about that theseinsolent Englishmen die--of the pest. "

"How can I do that, lord?" asked Basil with a sour smile. "Such tricksmight work backward. I might die, or you. Still these men have committedcrimes, and just now there is a prejudice against Jews. "

"Ay, " said Acour, "the Englishmen are sorcerers. I tell you that inVenice they were seen in the company of that fiend of the yellow cap andthe fur robe who appears everywhere before the pest. "

"Prove it, " exclaimed Basil, "and the citizens of Avignon will rid youof their troubling. "

Then they debated long together and the end of it was that Basildeparted, saying that he would return again on the morrow and makereport as to certain matters. 

CHAPTER XVII

A MEETING

Hugh, Grey Dick, and David, trudged up and down through the streets ofAvignon. All that long day they trudged seeking news and finding little. Again and again they asked at the inns whether a knight who bore thename of Acour, or de Noyon, or Cattrina, was or had been a guest there, but none whom they asked seemed to know anything of such a person. 

They asked it of citizens, also of holy priests, good men who, carelessof their own lives, followed biers or cartloads of dead destined to theplague pit or the river that they might pronounce over them the lastblessings of the Church. They asked it of physicians, some few of whomstill remained alive, as they hurried from house to house to administerto the sick or dying. But all of these either did not answer at all orelse shrugged their shoulders and went on their melancholy business. Only one of them called back that he had no time to waste in replyingto foolish questions, and that probably the knight they sought was deadlong ago or had fled from the city. 

Another man, an officer of customs, who seemed half dazed with miseryand fear, said that he remembered the lord Cattrina entering Avignonwith a good many followers, since he himself had levied the customarytolls on his company. As for how long it was ago he could not say, sincehis recollection failed him--so much had happened since. So he bade themfarewell until they met in heaven, which, he added, doubtless would besoon. 

The evening drew on. Wearily enough they had trudged round the greatRoche des Doms, looking up at the huge palace of the Pope, where thefires burned night and day and the guards watched at the shut gates, that forbidden palace into which no man might enter. Leaving it, theystruck down a street that was new to them, which led toward theirborrowed dwelling of the Bride's Tower. This street was very empty savefor a few miserable creatures, some of whom lay dead or dying in thegutters. Others lurked about in doorways or behind the pillars ofgates, probably for no good purpose. They heard the footsteps of a manfollowing them who seemed to keep in the shadow, but took no heed, sincethey set him down as some wretched thief who would never dare to attackthree armed men. It did not occur to them that this was none other thanthe notary Basil, clad in a new robe, who for purposes of his own wasspying upon their movements. 

They came to a large, ruinous-looking house, of which the gatewayattracted Grey Dick's sharp eyes. 

"What does that entrance remind you of, master?" he asked. 

Hugh looked at it carelessly and answered:

"Why, of the Preceptory at Dunwich. See, there are the same arms uponthe stone shield. Doubtless once the Knights Templar dwelt there. SirAndrew may have visited this place in his youth. "

As the words left his lips two men came out of the gateway, one of thema physician to judge by the robe and the case of medicines which hecarried; the other a very tall person wrapped in a long cloak. Thephysician was speaking. 

"She may live or she may die, " he said. "She seems strong. The pest, yousay, has been on her for four days, which is longer than most endure it;she has no swellings, and has not bled from the lungs; though, on theother hand, she is now insensible, which often precedes the end. I cansay no more; it is in the hands of God. Yes, I will ask you to pay methe fee now. Who knows if you will be alive to do so to-morrow? If shedies before then I recommend you to throw her into the river, which thePope has blessed. It is cleaner burial than the plague pit. I presumeshe is your grand-daughter--a beautiful woman. Pity she should be wastedthus, but many others are in a like case. If she awakes give her goodfood, and if you cannot get that--wine, of which there is plenty. Fivegold pieces--thank you, " and he hurried away. 

"Little have you told me, physician, that I did not know already, " saidthe tall hooded figure, in a deep voice the sound of which thrilled Hughto his marrow. "Yet you are right; it is in the hands of God. And tothose hands I trust--not in vain, I think. "

"Sir, " said Hugh addressing him out of the shadow in which he stood, "be pleased to tell me, if you will, whether you have met in this town aknight of the name of Sir Edmund Acour, for of him I am in search?"

"Sir Edmund Acour?" answered the figure. "No, I have not met him inAvignon, though it is like enough that he is here. Yet I have known ofthis knight far away in England. "

"Was it at Blythburgh, in Suffolk, perchance?" asked Hugh. 

"Ay, at Blythburgh in Suffolk; but who are you that speak in English andknow of Blythburgh in Suffolk?"

"Oh!" cried Hugh, "what do you here, Sir Andrew Arnold?"

The old man threw back his hood and stared at him. 

"Hugh de Cressi, by Christ's holy Name!" he exclaimed. "Yes, and Richardthe archer, also. The light is bad; I did not see your faces. Welcome, Hugh, thrice welcome, " and he threw his arms about him and embraced him. "Come, enter my lodgings, I have much to say to you. "

"One thing I desire to learn most of all, Father; the rest can wait. Who is the sick lady of whom you spoke to yonder physician--she that, hethought, was your grand-daughter?"

"Who could it be, Hugh, except Eve Clavering. "

"Eve!" gasped Hugh. "Eve dying of the pest?"

"Nay, son: who said so? She is ill, not dying, who, I believe, will livefor many years. "

"You believe, Father, you believe! Why this foul plague scarce sparesone in ten. Oh! why do you believe?"

"God teaches me to do so, " answered the old knight solemnly. "I onlysent for that physician because he has medicines which I lack. But it isnot in him and his drugs that I put my trust. Come, let us go in and seeher. "

So they went up the stairs and turned down a long passage, into whichthe light flowed dimly through large open casements. 

"Who is that?" asked Hugh suddenly. "I thought that one brushed past me, though I could see nothing. "

"Ay, " broke in the lad David, who was following, "and I felt a cold windas though some one stirred the air. "

Grey Dick also opened his lips to speak, then changed his mind and wassilent, but Sir Andrew said impatiently:

"I saw no one, therefore there was no one to see. Enter!" and he openedthe door. 

Now they found themselves in a lighted room, beyond which lay anotherroom. 

"Bide you here, Richard, with your companion, " said Sir Andrew. "Hugh, follow me, and let us learn whether I have trusted to God in vain. "

Then very gently he opened the door, and they passed in together, closing it behind them. 

This is what Hugh saw. At the far end of the room was a bed, near towhich stood a lamp that showed, sitting up in the bed, a beautiful youngwoman, whose dark hair fell all about her. Her face was flushed but notwasted or made dreadful by the sickness, as happened to so many. Thereshe sat staring before her with her large dark eyes and a smile upon hersweet lips, like one that muses on happy things. 

"See, " whispered Sir Andrew, "she is awakened from her swoon. I think Idid not trust in vain, my son. "

She caught the tones of his voice and spoke. 

"Is that you, Father?" she asked dreamily. "Draw near, for I have such astrange story to tell you. "

He obeyed, leaving Hugh in the shadow, and she went on:

"Just now I awoke from my sleep and saw a man standing by my bed. "

"Yes, yes, " Sir Andrew said, "the physician whom I sent for to see you. "

"Do physicians in Avignon wear caps of red and yellow and robes of blackfur and strings of great black pearls that, to tell truth, I covetedsorely?" she asked, laughing a little. "No, no. If this were aphysician, he is of the sort that heals souls. Indeed, now that I thinkof it, when I asked him his name and business, he answered that thefirst was the Helper, and the second, to bring peace to those introuble. "

"Well, daughter, and what else did the man say?" asked Sir Andrew, soothingly. 

"You think I wander, " she said, interpreting the tone of his voice andnot his words, "but indeed it is not so. Well, he said little; onlythat I had been very ill, near to death, in truth, much nearer than Ithought, but that now I should recover and within a day or two be quitewell and strong again. I asked him why he had come to tell me this. Hereplied, because he thought that I should like to know that he had metone whom I loved in the city of Venice in Italy; one who was named Hughde Cressi. Yes, Father, he said Hugh de Cressi, who, with his squire, anarcher, had befriended him there--and that this Hugh was well and wouldremain so, and that soon I should see him again. Also he added that hehad met one whom I hated, who was named the lord of Cattrina, andthat if this Cattrina threatened me I should do wisely to fly back toEngland, since there I should find peace and safety. Then, suddenly, just before you came in, he was gone. "

"You have strange dreams, Eve, " said Sir Andrew, "yet there is truth intheir madness. Now be strong lest joy should kill you, as it has done bymany a one before. "

Then he turned to the shadow behind him and said, "Come. " Next instantHugh was kneeling at Eve's bedside and pressing his lips upon her hand. 

Oh! they had much to say to each other, so much that the half of itremained unsaid. Still Hugh learned that she and Sir Andrew had cometo Avignon upon the Pope's summons to lay this matter of her allegedmarriage before him in person. When they reached the town they found italready in the grip of the great plague, and that to see his Holinesswas almost impossible, since he had shut himself up in his palace andwould admit no one. Yet an interview was promised through Sir Andrew'shigh-placed friends, only then the sickness struck Eve and she could notgo, nor was Sir Andrew allowed to do so, since he was nursing one wholay ill. 

Then Hugh began to tell his tale, to which Eve and Sir Andrew Arnoldlistened greedily. Of Murgh, for sundry reasons, he said nothing, and ofthe fight from which Acour had fled in Venice before the earthquake butlittle. He told them, however, that he had heard that this Acour hadbeen or was in Avignon and that he had learned from a notary namedBasil, whom he, Hugh, had retained, that Acour had won from the Pope aconfirmation of his marriage. 

"A lie!" interrupted Sir Andrew. "His Holiness caused me to be informedexpressly that he would give no decision in this cause until all thecase was before him. "

As he said the words a disturbance arose in the outer room, and theharsh voice of Grey Dick was heard saying:

"Back, you dog! Would you thrust yourself into the chamber of the ladyof Clavering? Back, or I will cast you through the window-place. "

Sir Andrew went to see what was the matter, and Hugh, breaking off histale, followed him, to find the notary, Basil, on his knees with GreyDick gripping him by the collar of his robe. 

"Sir Knight, " said Basil, recognizing Hugh, "should I, your faithfulagent, be treated thus by this fierce-faced squire of yours?"

"That depends on what you have done, Sir Lawyer, " answered Hugh, motioning to Dick to loose the man. 

"All I have done, Sir Knight, is to follow you into a house where Ichanced to see you enter, in order to give you some good tidings. Thenthis fellow caught me by the throat and said that if I dared to breakin upon the privacy of one whom he called Red Eve and Lady Clavering, hewould kill me. "

"He had his orders, lawyer. "

"Then, Sir Knight, he might have executed them less roughly. Had he buttold me that you were alone with some lady, I should have understand andwithdrawn for a while, although to do so would have been to let preciousmoments slip, " and the lean-faced knave leered horribly. 

"Cease your foul talk and state your business, " interrupted Sir Andrew, thrusting himself in front of Hugh, who he feared would strike thefellow. 

"And pray, who may you be?" asked the lawyer, glancing up at the tallfigure that towered above him. 

Sir Andrew threw back his hood, revealing his aged, hawk-likecountenance, his dark and flashing eyes and his snow-white hair andbeard. 

"If you would learn, man, " he said, in his great voice, "in the worldI was known as Sir Andrew Arnold, one of the priors of the Order of theTemplars, which is a name that you may have heard. But now that I havelaid aside all worldly pomp and greatness, I am but Father Andrew, ofDunwich, in England. "

"Yes, yes, I have heard the name; who has not?" said the lawyer humbly;"also you are here as guardian to the lady Eve Clavering, are you not, to lay a certain cause before his Holiness? Oh! do not start, all thesematters came to my knowledge who am concerned in every great business inAvignon as the chief agent and procurator of the Papal Court, though itis true that this tiding has reached me only within the last few minutesand from the lips of your own people. Holy Father, I pray your pardonfor breaking in upon you, which I did only because the matter is verypressing. Sir Hugh de Cressi here has a cause to lay before the Popewith which you may be acquainted. Well, for two days I have striven towin him an audience, and now through my sole influence, behold! 'tisgranted. See here, " and he produced a parchment that purported to besigned by the Pope's secretary and countersigned by a cardinal, andread:

"'If the English knight, Sir Hugh de Cressi, and his squire, the captainRichard, will be in the chamber of audience at the palace at seven ofthe clock this evening' (that is, within something less than half anhour), 'his Holiness will be pleased to receive them as a most specialboon, having learned that the said Sir Hugh is a knight much in favourwith his Grace of England, who appointed him his champion in a combatthat was lately to be fought at Venice. '"

"That's true enough, though I know not how the Pope heard of it, "interrupted Hugh. 

"Through me, Sir Knight, for I learn everything. None have so much powerin Avignon as I, although it often pleases me to seem poor and of noaccount. But let that pass. Either you must take this opportunity or becontent not to see his Holiness at all. Orders have been issued becauseof the increase of this pest in Avignon, that from to-night forward noneshall be admitted to the palace upon any pretext whatsoever; no, noteven a king. "

"Then I had best go, " said Hugh. 

"Ay, " answered Sir Andrew, "and return here with your tidings as soon asmay be. Yet, " he added in a low voice to Grey Dick, "I love not the lookof this scurvy guide of yours. Could not your master have found a betterattorney?"

"Perhaps, " answered Dick, "that is if one is left alive in Avignon. Being in haste we took the first that came to hand, and it seems that hewill serve our turn. At least, if he plays tricks, I promise it will bethe worse for him, " and he looked grimly at the rogue, who was talkingto David Day and appeared to hear nothing. 

So they went, and with them David, who had witnessed the confession ofFather Nicholas. Therefore they thought it best that he should accompanythem to testify to it if there were need. 

"Bid my lady keep a good heart and say that I will be with her again erelong, " said Hugh as they descended the stairs in haste. 

Following the guidance of Basil, they turned first this way and thenthat, till soon in the gathering darkness they knew not where they were. 

"What was the name of the street in which Sir Andrew had his lodging?"asked Hugh, halting. 

"Rue St. Benezet, " answered Basil. "Forward, we have no time to lose. "

"Did you tell Sir Andrew where we dwelt, master?" said Dick presently, "for I did not. "

"By my faith, Dick, no; it slipped my mind. "

"Then it will be hard for him to find us if he has need, master, in thisrabbit warren of a town. Still that can't be mended now. I wish wewere clear of this business, for it seems to me that yon fellow is notleading us toward the palace. Almost am I minded----" and he looked atBasil, then checked himself. 

Presently Dick wished it still more. Taking yet another turn they foundthemselves in an open square or garden that was surrounded by many meanhouses. In this square great pest-fires burned, lighting it luridly. Bythe flare of them they saw that hundreds of people were gathered therelistening to a mad-eyed friar who was preaching to them from the topof a wine-cart. As they drew near to the crowd through which Basil wasleading them, Hugh heard the friar shouting:

"Men of Avignon, this pest which kills us is the work not of God, but ofthe Jew blasphemers and of the sorcerers who are in league with them. Itell you that two such sorcerers who pass as Englishmen are in your citynow and have been consorting with the Jews, plotting your destruction. One looks like a young knight, but the other has the face of Deathhimself, and both of them wrought murders in a neighbouring town toprotect the Jews. Until you kill the accursed Jews this plague willnever pass. You will die, every one of you, with your wives and childrenif you do not kill the Jews and their familiars. "

Just then the man, rolling his wild eyes about, caught sight of Hugh andDick. 

"See!" he screamed. "There are the wizards who in Venice were seen inthe company of the Enemy of Mankind. That good Christian, Basil, hasbrought them face to face with you, as he promised me that he would. "

As he heard these words Hugh drew his sword and leapt at Basil. But therogue was watching. With a yell of fear he threw himself among the crowdand there vanished. 

"Out weapons, and back to back!" cried Hugh, "for we are snared. "

So the three of them ranged themselves together facing outward. In frontof them gleamed Grey Dick's axe, Hugh's sword and David's great knife. In a moment the furious mob was surging round them like the sea, howling, "Down with the foreign wizards! Kill the friends of the Jews!"one solid wall of changing white faces. 

A man struck at them with a halbert, but the blow fell short, for he wasafraid to come too near. Grey Dick leapt forward, and in a moment wasback again, leaving that man dead, smitten through from skull to chin. For a while there was silence, since this sudden death gave them pause, and in it Hugh cried out:

"Are blameless men to be murdered thus? Have we no friends in Avignon?"

"Some, " answered a voice from the outer shadow, though who spoke theycould not see. 

"Save the protectors of the Jews!" cried the voice again. 

Then came a rush and a counter-rush. Fighting began around them in whichthey took no share. When it had passed over them like a gust of wind, David Day was gone, killed or trodden down, as his companions thought. 

"Now, master, we are alone, " said Grey Dick. "Set your shoulders againstmine and let us die a death that these dogs of Avignon will remember. "

"Ay, ay!" answered Hugh. "But don't overreach, Dick, 'tis ever thearcher's fault. "

The mob closed in on them, then rolled back like water from a rock, leaving some behind. Again they closed in and again rolled back. 

"Bring bows!" they cried, widening out. "Bring bows and shoot themdown. "

"Ah!" gasped Dick, "that is a game two can play, now that I have armroom. "

Almost before the words had left his lips the great black bow he borewas out and strung. Next instant the shafts began to rush, piercing allbefore them, till at the third arrow those in front of him melted away, save such as would stir no more. Only now missiles began to come inanswer from this side and from that, although as yet none struck them. 

"Unstring your bow, Dick, and let us charge, " said Hugh. "We have noother chance save flight. They'll pelt us under. "

Dick did not seem to hear. At least he shot on as one who was not mindedto die unavenged. An arrow whistled through Hugh's cap, lifting it fromhis head, and another glanced from the mail on his shoulder. He groundhis teeth with rage, for now none would come within reach of his longsword. 

"Good-bye, friend Dick, " he said. "I die charging, " and with a cry of "ACressi! A Cressi!" he sprang forward. 

One leap and Dick was at his side, who had only bided to sheath his bow. The mob in front melted away before the flash of the white sword and thegleam of the grey axe. Still they must have fallen, for their pursuersclosed in behind them like hunting hounds when they view the quarry, and there were none to guard their backs. But once more the shrill voicecried:

"Help the friends of the Jews! Save those who saved Rebecca and herchildren!"

Then again there came a rush of dark-browed men, who hissed and whistledas they fought. 

So fierce was the rush that those who followed them were cut off, andDick, glancing back over his shoulder, saw the mad-eyed priest, theirleader, go down like an ox beneath the blow of a leaded bludgeon. A score of strides and they were out of the range of the firelight;another score and they were hidden by the gloom in the mouth of one ofthe narrow streets. 

"Which way now?" gasped Hugh, looking back at the square where in theflare of the great fires Christians and Jews, fighting furiously, lookedlike devils struggling in the mouth of hell. 

As he spoke a shock-headed, half-clad lad darted up to them and Dicklifted his axe to cut him down. 

"Friend, " he said in a guttural voice, "not foe! I know where you dwell;trust and follow me, who am of the kin of Rebecca, wife of Nathan. "

"Lead on then, kin of Rebecca, " exclaimed Hugh, "but know that if youcheat us, you die. "

"Swift, swift!" cried the lad, "lest those swine should reach your housebefore you, " and, catching Hugh by the hand, he began to run like ahare. 

Down the dark streets they went, past the great rock where the firesburned at the gates of the palace of the Pope, then along more streetsand across an open place where thieves and night-birds peered at themcuriously, but at the sight of their drawn steel, slunk away. At lengththeir guide halted. 

"See!" he said. "There is your dwelling. Enter now and up with thebridge. Hark! They come. Farewell. "

He was gone. From down the street to their left rose shouts and thesound of many running feet, but there in front of them loomed theTower against the black and rainy sky. They dashed across the littledrawbridge that spanned the moat, and, seizing the cranks, woundfuriously. Slowly, ah! how slowly it rose, for it was heavy, and theywere but two tired men; also the chains and cogs were rusty with disuse. Yet it did rise, and as it came home at last, the fierce mob, thirstingfor their blood and guessing where they would refuge, appeared in frontof it and by the light of some torches which they bore, caught sight ofthem. 

"Come in, friends, " mocked Grey Dick as they ran up and down the edge ofthe moat howling with rage and disappointment. "Come in if you wouldsup on arrow-heads such as this, " and he sent one of his deadly shaftsthrough the breast of a red-headed fellow who waved a torch in one handand a blacksmith's hammer in the other. 

Then they drew back, taking the dead man with them, but as they went onecried:

"The Jews shall not save you again, wizards, for if we cannot come atyou to kill you, we'll starve you till you die. Stay there and rot, orstep forth and be torn to pieces, as it pleases you, English wizards. "

Then they all slunk back and vanished, or seemed to vanish, down themouths of the dark streets that ran into the open place in front of thedwelling which Hugh had named the Bride's Tower. 

"Now, " said Dick, wiping the sweat from his brow as they barred themassive door of the house, "we are safe for this night at least, and caneat and sleep in peace. See you, master, I have taken stock of this oldplace, which must have been built in rough times, for scarce a wall ofit is less than five feet thick. The moat is deep all round. Fire cannotharm it, and it is loop-holed for arrows and not commanded by any otherbuilding, having the open place in front and below the wide fosse ofthe ancient wall, upon which it stands. Therefore, even with this poorgarrison of two, it can be taken only by storm. This, while we havebows and arrows, will cost them something, seeing that we could hold thetower from stair to stair. "

"Ay, Dick, " answered Hugh sadly, "doubtless we can make a fight for itand take some with us to a quieter world, if they are foolish enough togive us a chance. But what did that fellow shout as to starving us out?How stand we for provisions?"

"Foreseeing something of the sort, I have reckoned that up, master. There's good water in the courtyard well and those who owned this tower, whoever they may have been, laid in great store, perchance for themarriage feast, or perchance when the plague began, knowing that itwould bring scarcity. The cupboards and the butteries are filled withflour, dried flesh, wine, olives and oil for burning. Even if theseshould fail us there are the horses in the stable, which we can kill andcook, for of forage and fuel I have found enough. "

"Then the Pope should not be more safe than we, Dick, " said Hugh with aweary smile, "if any are safe in Avignon to-day. Well, let us go and eatof all this plenty, but oh! I wish I had told Sir Andrew where we dwelt, or could be sure in which of that maze of streets he and Red Eve arelodged. Dick, Dick, that knave Basil has fooled us finely. "

"Ay, master, " said Dick, setting his grim lips, "but let him pray hisSaint that before all is done I do not fool him. "

CHAPTER XVIII

THE PLAGUE PIT

Seven long days had gone by and still Hugh and Grey Dick held out intheir Tower fortress. Though as yet unhurt, they were weary indeed, since they must watch all night and could only sleep by snatches in thedaytime, one lying down to rest while the other kept guard. 

As they had foreseen, except by direct assault, the place provedimpregnable, its moat protecting it upon three sides and the sheer wallof the old city terminating in the deep fosse upon the fourth. In itslittle armoury, among other weapons they had found a great store ofarrows and some good bows, whereof Hugh took the best and longest. Thusarmed with these they placed themselves behind the loopholes of theembattled gateway, whence they could sweep the space before them. Orif danger threatened them elsewhere, there were embrasures whencethey could command the bases of the walls. Lastly, also, there was thecentral tower, whereof they could hold each landing with the sword. 

Thrice they had been attacked, since there seemed to be hundreds offolk in Avignon bent upon their destruction, but each time their bitterarrows, that rarely seemed to miss, had repulsed the foe with loss. Evenwhen an onslaught was delivered on the main gateway at night, theyhad beaten their assailants by letting fall upon them through the_machicoulis_ or overhanging apertures, great stones that had been piledup there, perhaps generations before, when the place was built. 

Still the attacks did not slacken. Indeed the hate of the citizens ofAvignon against these two bold Englishmen, whose courage and resourcethey attributed to help given to them by the powers of evil, seemed togrow from day to day, even as the plague grew in the streets of thatsore-afflicted city. From their walls they could see friars preachinga kind of crusade against them. They pointed toward the tower withcrucifixes, invoking their hearers to pull it stone from stone and slaythe wizards within, the wizards who had conspired with the accursedJews even beneath the eyes of his Holiness the Pope, to bring doom onAvignon. 

The eighth morn broke at length, and its first red rays discovered Hughand Dick kneeling side by side behind the battlements of the gateway. Each of them was making petition to heaven in his own fashion forforgiveness of his sins, since they were outworn and believed that thisday would be their last. 

"What did you pray for, Dick?" asked Hugh, glancing at his companion'sfierce face, which in that half light looked deathlike and unearthly. 

"What did I pray for? Well, for the first part let it be; that's betwixtme and whatever Power sent me out to do its business on the earth. Butfor the last--I'll tell you. It was that we may go hence with such aguard of dead French as never yet escorted two Englishmen from Avignonto heaven--or hell. Ay, and we will, master, for to-day, as they shoutedto us, they'll storm this tower; but if our strength holds out there'smany a one who'll never win its crest. "

"Rather would I have died peacefully, Dick. Yet the blood of thesehounds will not weigh upon my soul, seeing that they seek to murder usfor no fault except that we saved a woman and two children from theircruel devilries. Oh! could I but know that Red Eve and Sir Andrew weresafe away, I'd die a happy man. "

"I think we shall know that and much more before to-morrow's dawn, master, or never know anything again. Look! they gather yonder. Now letus eat, for perhaps later we shall find no time. "

The afternoon drew on toward evening and still these two lived. Of allthe hundreds of missiles which were shot or hurled at them, although afew struck, not one of them had pierced their armour so as to do themhurt. The walls and battlements or some good Fate had protected them. Thrice had the French come on, and thrice they had retreated beforethose arrows that could not miss, and as yet bridge and doors were safe. 

"Look, " said Dick as he set down a cup of wine that he had drained, for his thirst was raging, "they send an embassy, " and he pointed toa priest, the same mad-eyed fellow who preached in the square when thenotary Basil led them into a trap, and to a man with him who bore awhite cloth upon a lance. "Shall I shoot them?"

"Nay, " answered Hugh; "why kill crazed folk who think that they serveGod in their own fashion? We will hear what they have to say. "

Presently the pair stood within speaking distance, and the priest calledout:

"Hearken, you wizards. So far your master the devil has protected you, but now your hour has come. We have authority from those who rule thiscity and from the Church to summon you to surrender, and if you willnot, then to slay you both. "

"That, you shameless friar, " answered Hugh, "you have been striving todo these many days. Yet it is not we who have been slain, although westand but two men against a multitude. But if we surrender, what then?"

"Then you shall be put upon your trial, wizards, and, if found guilty, burned; if innocent, set free. "

"Put upon our trial before our executioners! Why, I think those firesare alight already. Nay, nay, mad priest, go back and tell those whomyou have fooled that if they want us they can come and take us, whichthey'll not do living. "

Then the furious friar began to curse them, hurling at them theanathemas of the Church, till at length Dick called to him to begone orhe would send an arrow to help him on the road. 

So they went, and presently the sun sank. 

"Now let us beware, " said Dick. "The moon is near her full and will risesoon. They'll attack between times when we cannot see to shoot. "

"Ay, " answered Hugh, "moreover, now this gateway is no place for us. Ofarrows there are few left, nor could we see to use them in the dark. The stones too are all spent and therefore they can bridge the moat andbatter down the doors unharmed. "

"What then?" asked Dick. "As we cannot fly, where shall we die?"

"On the roof of the old tower, I think, whence we can hurl ourselvesat last and so perhaps escape being taken alive, and torment. Look you, Dick, that tower is mounted by three straight flights of steps. Thefirst two of these we'll hold with such arrows as remain to us--thereare three and twenty, as I think--and the last with axe and sword. Listen! They come! Take a brand from the hall hearth and let us go lightthe flambeaux. "

So they went and set fire to the great torches of wood and tallow thatwere set in their iron holders to light the steps of the tower. Ere thelast of them was burning they heard their enemies ravening without. 

"Listen!" said Hugh as they descended to the head of the first flight ofstairs. "They are across the moat. "

As he spoke the massive doors crashed in beneath the blows of a baulk oftimber. 

"Now, " said Hugh, as they strung their bows, "six arrows apiece here, ifwe can get off so many, and the odd eleven at our next stand. Ah, theycome. "

The mob rushed into the hall below, waving torches and swords andhunting it as dogs hunt a covert. 

"The English wizards have hid themselves away, " cried a voice. "Let usburn the place, for so we are sure to catch them. "

"Nay, nay, " answered another voice, that of the mad friar. "We must havethem beneath the torture, that we may learn how to lift the cursefrom Avignon, and the names of their accomplices on earth and in hell. Search, search, search!"

"Little need to search, " said Grey Dick, stepping out on to the landing. "Devil, go join your fellow-devils in that hell you talk of, " and hesent an arrow through his heart. 

For a moment there followed the silence of consternation while the mobstood staring at their fallen leader. Then with a yell of rage theycharged the stair and that fray began which was told of in Avignonfor generations. Hugh and Dick shot their arrows, nor could they miss, seeing what was their target; indeed some of those from the great blackbow pinned foe to foe beneath them. But so crowded were the assailantson the narrow stair that they could not shoot back. They advancedhelpless, thrust to their doom by the weight of those who pressedbehind. 

Now they were near, the dead, still on their feet, being borne forwardby the living, to whom they served as shields. Hugh and Dick ran to thehead of the second flight and thence shot off the arrows that remained. 

Dick loosed the last of them, and of this fearful shaft it was said thatit slew three men, piercing through the body of one, the throat of thesecond and burying its barb in the skull of the third on the loweststep. Now Dick unstrung his bow, and thrust it into its case on hisshoulder, for he was minded that they should go together at the last. 

"Shafts have sung their song, " he said, with a fierce laugh; "now it isthe turn of the axe and sword to make another music. "

Then he gripped Sir Hugh by the hand, saying:

"Farewell, master. Oh, I hold this a merry death, such as the Saintsgrant to few. Ay, and so would you were you as free as I am. Well, doubtless your lady has gone before. Or at worst soon she will followafter and greet you in the Gate of Death, where Murgh sits and keeps hiscount of passing souls. "

"Farewell, friend, " answered Hugh, "be she quick or dead, thus Red Evewould wish that I should die. _A Cressi! A Cressi!_" he cried and drovehis sword through the throat of a soldier who rushed at him. 

They fought a very good fight, as doubtless the dead were telling eachother while they passed from that red stair to such rest as they hadwon. They had fought a very good fight and it was hard to say which haddone the best, Hugh's white sword or Dick's grey axe. And now, unwoundedstill save for a bruise or two, they stood there in the moonlight uponthe stark edge of the tall tower, the foe in front and black spacebeneath. There they stood leaning on axe and sword and drawing theirbreath in great sobs, those two great harvestmen who that day had toiledso hard in the rich fields of death. 

For a while the ever-gathering crowd of their assailants remained stillstaring at them. Then the leaders began to whisper to each other, forthey scarcely seemed to dare to talk aloud. 

"What shall we do?" asked one. "These are not men. No men could havefought as they have fought us for seven days and at last have slain uslike sparrows in a net and themselves remained unhurt. "

"No, " answered another, "and no mortal archer could send his shaftthrough the bodies of three. Still it is finished now unless they findwings and fly away. So let us take them. "

"Yes, yes, " broke in Grey Dick with his hissing laugh, "come and takeus, you curs of Avignon. Having our breath again, we are ready to betaken, " and he lifted his axe and shook it. 

"Seize them, " shouted the leader of the French. "Seize them!" echoedthose who poured up the stairs behind. 

But there the matter ended, since none could find stomach to face thataxe and sword. So at length they took another counsel. 

"Bring bows and shoot them through the legs. Thus we shall bring themliving to their trial, " commanded the captain of the men of Avignon. Hewas their fourth captain on that one day, for the other three lay uponthe stairs or in the hall. 

Now Hugh and Dick spoke together, few words and swift, as to whetherthey should charge or leap from the wall and have done with it. Whilethey spoke a little cloud floated over the face of the moon, so thatuntil it had gone the French could not see to shoot. 

"It's too risky, " said Hugh. "If they capture us we must die a death towhich I have no mind. Let us hurl our weapons at them, then leap. "

"So be it, " whispered Dick. "Do you aim at the captain on the left and Iwill take the other. Ready now! I think one creeps near to us. "

"I think so, too, " Hugh whispered back, "I felt the touch of hisgarments. Only he seemed to pass us from behind, which cannot be. "

The cloud passed, and once again they were bathed in silver light. Itshowed the men of Avignon already bending their bows; it showed Hugh andGrey Dick lifting axe and sword to hurl them. But between them and theirmark it showed also a figure that they knew well, a stern and terriblefigure, wearing a strange cap of red and yellow and a cape of rich, black fur. 

"O God of Heaven! 'tis Murgh the Helper, " gasped Hugh. 

"Ay, Murgh the Fire, Murgh the Sword, " said Dick, adding quietly, "itis true I was wondering whether he would prove as good as his word. Looknow, look! they see him also!"

See him they did, indeed, and for a moment there was silence on thatcrowded tower top where stood at least a score of men, while theirfellows packed the hall and stair below by hundreds. All stared atMurgh, and Murgh stared back at them with his cold eyes. Then a voicescreamed:

"Satan! Satan come from hell to guard his own! Death himself is withyou! Fly, men of Avignon, fly!"

Small need was there for this command. Already, casting down their bows, those on the tower top were rushing to the mouth of the stair, and, since it was blocked with men, using their swords upon them to hew aroad. Now those below, thinking that it was the English wizards who slewthem, struck back. 

Presently all that stair and the crowded hall below, black as the mouthof the pit, for such lights as still burned soon were swept away, rangwith the screams and curses and stifled groans of the trodden down ordying. In the pitchy darkness brother smote brother, friend trampledout the life of friend, till the steep steps were piled high and thedoorways blocked with dead. So hideous were the sounds indeed, thatHugh and Grey Dick crossed themselves, thinking that hell had cometo Avignon, or Avignon sunk down to hell. But Murgh only folded hiswhite-gloved hands upon his breast and smiled. 

At length, save for the moaning of those hurt men who still lived, thedreadful tumult sank to silence. Then Murgh turned and spoke in his slowand icy voice:

"You were about to seek me in the fosse of this high tower, were younot, Hugh de Cressi and Richard Archer? A foolish thought, in truth, anda sinful, so sinful that it would have served you well if I had let youcome. But your strait was sore and your faith was weak, and I had nosuch command. Therefore I have come to others whose names were writtenin my book. Ay, and being half human after all--for does not your creedtell you that I was born of Sin? I rejoice that it is given to me toprotect those who would have protected _me_ when _I_ seemed to standhelpless in the hands of cruel men. Nay, thank me not. What need have Iof your thanks, which are due to God alone! And question me not, for whyshould I answer your questions, even if I know those answers? Only do mybidding. This night seek whom you will in Avignon, but to-morrow ere thedawn ride away, for we three must meet again at a place appointed beforethis winter's snows are passed. "

"O dread lord of Death, one thing, only one, " began Hugh. 

But Murgh held up his white-gloved hand and replied:

"Have I not said that I answer no questions? Now go forth and follow thepromptings of your heart till we meet again. "

Then gliding to the head of the stair he vanished in the shadow. 

"Say, what shall we do?" asked Hugh in amazed voice. 

"It matters little what we do or leave undone, master, seeing that weare fore-fated men whom, as I think, none can harm until a day that willnot dawn to-morrow nor yet awhile. Therefore let us wash ourselves andeat and borrow new garments, if we can find any that are not soiled, and then, if the horses are still unharmed, mount and ride from thisaccursed Avignon for England. "

"Nay, Dick, since first we must learn whether or no we leave friendsbehind us here. "

"Ay, master, if you will. But since yonder Murgh said nothing of them, it was in my mind that they are either dead or fled. "

"Not dead, I pray, Dick. Oh, I am sure, not dead, and I left living!When Red Eve and I met, Murgh had been with her and promised that shewould recover and be strong, " answered Hugh bravely, although there wasa note of terror in his voice. 

"Red Eve has other foes in Avignon besides the pest, " muttered GreyDick, adding: "still, let us have faith; it is a good friend to man. Didnot yonder Helper chide us for our lack of it?"

They forced a way down the dead-cumbered tower stair, crawling throughthe darkness over the bodies of the fallen. They crossed the hall thatalso was full of dead, and of wounded whose pitiful groans echoed fromthe vaulted roof, and climbed another stair to their chamber in thegateway tower. Here from a spark of fire that still smouldered on thehearth, they lit the lamps of olive-oil and by the light of them washedoff the stains of battle, and refreshed themselves with food and wine. These things done, Dick returned to the hall and presently broughtthence two suits of armour and some cloaks which he had taken eitherfrom the walls or from off the slain. In these they disguised themselvesas best they could, as de Noyon had disguised himself at Crecy. 

Then, having collected a store of arrows whereof many lay about, theydeparted by the back entrance. The great front doorway was so chokedwith corpses that they could not pass it, since here had raged the lastfearful struggle to escape. Going to the little stable-yard, where theyfound their horses unharmed in the stalls, although frightened by thetumult and stiff from lack of exercise, they fed and saddled them andled them out. So presently they looked their last upon the Bride's Towerthat had sheltered them so well. 

"It has served our turn, " said Hugh, glancing back at it from the otherside of the deserted square, "but oh, I pray heaven that we may neversee that charnel-house again!"

As he spoke a figure appeared from the shadow of a doorway, and rantoward them. Thinking it was that of some foe, Dick lifted his axe tocut him down, whereon a voice cried in English:

"Hold! I am David!"

"David!" exclaimed Hugh. "Then thanks be to God, for know, we thoughtyou dead these many days. "

"Ay, sir, " answered the young man, "as I thought you. The rumour reachedthe Jews, among whom I have been hiding while I recovered of my hurts, that the Mad Monk and his fellows had stormed the tower and killed youboth. Therefore I crept out to learn for myself. Now I have found youby your voices, who never again hoped to look upon you living, " and hebegan to sob in his relief and joy. 

"Come on, lad, " said Grey Dick kindly, "this is no place for greetings. "

"Whither go you, sir?" asked David as he walked forward alongside of thehorses. 

"To seek that house where we saw Sir Andrew Arnold and the lady Eve, "answered Hugh, "if by any chance it can be found. "

"That is easy, sir, " said David. "As it happens, I passed it not muchmore than an hour ago and knew it again. "

"Did you see any one there?" asked Hugh eagerly. 

"Nay, the windows were dark. Also the Jew guiding me said he had heardthat all who dwelt in that house were dead of the plague. Still of thismatter he knew nothing for certain. "

Hugh groaned, but only answered:

"Forward!"

As they went David told them his story. It seemed that when he wasstruck down in the square where the crazy friar preached, and like tobe stabbed and trampled to death, some of the Jews dragged him into theshadow and rescued him. Afterward they took him to a horrid and squalidquarter called La Juiverie, into which no Christian dare enter. Here helay sick of his hurts and unable to get out until that very afternoon;the widow Rebecca, whom they had saved, nursing him all the while. 

"Did you hear aught of us?" asked Dick. 

"Ay, at first that you were holding Dead Bride's Tower bravely. So assoon as I might, I came to join you there if I could win in and youstill lived. But they told me that you had fallen at last. "

"Ah!" said Dick, "well, as it chances it was not we who fell, but thattale is long. Still, David, you are a brave lad who would have come todie with us, and my master will thank you when he can give his mind tosuch things. Say, did you hear aught else?"

"Ay, Dick; I heard two days ago that the French lord, Cattrina, whom SirHugh was to have fought at Venice, had left Avignon, none knew why orwhither he went. "

"Doubtless because of the plague and he wished to go where there wasnone, " answered Dick. 

But Hugh groaned again, thinking to himself that Acour would scarcelyhave left Avignon if Eve were still alive within its walls. 

After this they went on in silence, meeting very few and speaking withnone, for the part of the great city through which they passed seemed tobe almost deserted. Indeed in this quarter the pest was so fearfulthat all who remained alive and could do so had fled elsewhere, leavingbehind them only the sick and those who plundered houses. 

"One thing I forgot to say, " said David presently. "The Jews told methat they had certain information that the notary knave Basil was paidby the lord Cattrina to lead us to that square where the fires burned inorder that we might be murdered there. Further, our death was to be thesignal for the massacre of all the Jews, only, as it chanced, their planwent awry. "

"As will Basil's neck if ever I meet him again, " muttered Grey Dickbeneath his breath. "Lord! what fools we were to trust that man. Well, we've paid the price and, please God, so shall he. "

They turned the corner and rode down another street, till presentlyDavid said:

"Halt! yonder is the house. See the cognizance above the gateway!"

Hugh and Dick leapt from their horses, the latter bidding David leadthem into the courtyard and hold them there. Then they entered thehouse, of which the door was ajar, and by the shine of the moon thatstruggled through the window-places, crept up the stairs and passagestill they reached those rooms where Sir Andrew and Eve had lodged. 

"Hist!" said Dick, and he pointed to a line of light that showed beneaththe closed door. 

Hugh pushed it gently and it opened a little. They looked through thecrack, and within saw a man in a dark robe who was seated at a tablecounting out gold by the light of a lamp. Just then he lifted his head, having felt the draught of air from the open door. It was the notaryBasil!

Without a word they entered the room, closing and bolting the doorbehind them. Then Dick leapt on Basil as a wolf leaps, and held him fat, while Hugh ran past him and threw wide the door of that chamber in whichEve had lain sick. It was empty. Back he came again and in a terriblevoice, said:

"Now, Sir Notary, where are the lady Eve and Sir Andrew her guardian?"

"Alas, Sir Knight, " began the knave in a quavering voice, "both of themare dead. "

"What!" cried Hugh supporting himself against the wall, for at thisterrible news his knees trembled beneath him, "have you or your patronCattrina murdered them?"

"Murdered them, Sir Knight! I do murder? I, a Christian and a man ofpeace! Never! And the noble lord of Cattrina, Count de Noyon! Why, hewished to marry the lady, not to murder her. Indeed he swore that shewas his wife. "

"So you know all these things, do you, villain?" said Grey Dick, shakinghim as a terrier shakes a rat. 

"Sir Knight, " went on the frightened fellow, "blame me not for the actsof God. He slew these noble persons, not I; I myself saw the lovely ladycarried from this house wrapped in a red cloak. "

"So you were in the house, were you?" said Grey Dick, shaking him again. "Well, whither did they carry her, thief of the night?"

"To the plague pit, good sir; where else in these times?"

Now Hugh groaned aloud, his eyes closed, and he seemed as though he wereabout to fall. Grey Dick, noting it, for a moment let go of the notaryand turned as though to help his master. Like a flash Basil drew adagger from under his dirty robe and struck at Dick's back. The blow waswell aimed, nor could an unprotected man on whom it fell have escapeddeath. But although Basil did not see it because of Dick's long cloak, beneath this cloak he wore the best of mail, and on that mail theslender dagger broke, its point falling harmless to the ground. Nextinstant Dick had him again in his iron grip. Paying no further heed toHugh, who had sunk to the floor a huddled heap, he began to speak intothe lawyer's ear in his slow, hissing voice. 

"Devil, " he said, "whether or no you murdered Red Eve and Sir AndrewArnold the saint, I cannot say for certain, though doubtless I shalllearn in time. At least a while ago you who had taken our money, stroveto murder both of us, or cause us to be torn in pieces upon yondersquare where the fires burned. Now, too, you have striven to murder mewith that bodkin of yours, not knowing, fool, that I am safe from allmen. Well, say your prayers, since you too journey to the plague pit, for so the gatherers of the dead will think you died. "

"Sir, " gasped the terrified wretch, "spare me and I will speak----"

"More lies, " hissed Dick into his ear. "Nay, go tell them to the fatherof lies, for I have no time to waste in hearkening to them. Take yourpay, traitor!"

A few seconds later Basil lay dead upon the floor. 

Grey Dick looked at him. Kneeling down, he thrust his hands into theman's pockets, and took thence the gold that he had been hiding awaywhen they came upon him, no small sum as it chanced. 

"Our own come back with interest, " he said with one of his silentlaughs, "and we shall need monies for our faring. Why, here's a writingalso which may tell those who can read it something. "

He cast it on the table, then turned to his master, who was awakeningfrom his swoon. 

Dick helped him to his feet. 

"What has passed?" asked Hugh in a hollow voice. 

"Murgh!" answered Dick, pointing to the dead man on the floor. 

"Have you killed him, friend?"

"Ay, sure enough, as he strove to kill me, " and again he pointed, thistime to the broken dagger. 

Hugh made no answer, only seeing the writing on the table, took it up, and began to read like one who knows not what he does. Presently hiseyes brightened and he said:

"What does this mean, I wonder. Hearken. "

"Rogue, you have cheated me as you cheat all men and now I follow herwho has gone. Be sure, however, that you shall reap your reward in dueseason, de Noyon. "

"I know not, " said Dick, "and the interpreter is silent, " and he kickedthe body of Basil. "Perhaps I was a little over hasty who might havesqueezed the truth out of him before the end. "

"'Her who is gone, '" reflected Hugh aloud. "'Tis Red Eve who is gone andde Noyon is scarcely the man to seek her among passed souls. Moreover, the Jews swear that he rode from Avignon two days ago. Come, Dick, letthat carrion lie, and to the plague pit. "

An hour later and they stood on the edge of that dreadful place, hearingand seeing things which are best left untold. A priest came up to them, one of those good men who, caring nothing for themselves, still dared tocelebrate the last rites of the Church above the poor departed. 

"Friends, " he said, "you seem to be in trouble. Can I help you, forJesus' sake?"

"Perchance, holy Father, " answered Hugh. "Tell us, you who watch thisdreadful place, was a woman wrapped in a red cloak thrown in here two orthree days gone?"

"Alas, yes, " said the priest with a sigh, "for I read the Office overher and others. Nay, what are you about to do? By now she is two fathomsdeep and burned away with lime so that none could know her. If youenter there the guards will not let you thence living. Moreover, it isuseless. Pray to God to comfort you, poor man, as I will, who am sure itwill not be denied. "

Then Dick led, or rather carried, Hugh from the brink of that awesome, common grave. 

CHAPTER XIX

THE DOOM

It was the last night of February, the bitterest night perhaps of allthat sad winter, when at length Hugh de Cressi, Grey Dick, and DavidDay rode into the town of Dunwich. Only that morning they had landed atYarmouth after a long, long journey whereof the perils and the horrorsmay be guessed but need not be written. France, through which they hadpassed, seemed to be but one vast grave over which the wail of those whostill survived went up without cease to the cold, unpitying heavens. 

Here in England the tale was still the same. Thus in the great seaportof Yarmouth scarcely enough people were left alive to inter theunshriven dead, nor of these would any stay to speak with them, fearinglest they had brought a fresh curse from overseas. Even the horses thatthey rode they took from a stable where they whinnied hungrily, nonebeing there to feed them, leaving in their place a writing of the debt. 

Betwixt Yarmouth and Dunwich they had travelled through smitten townsand villages, where a few wandered fearfully, distraught with sorrow orseeking food. In the streets the very dogs lay dead and in the fieldsthey saw the carcasses of cattle dragged from the smokeless and desertedsteadings and half hidden in a winding-sheet of snow. For the BlackPlague spared neither man nor beast. 

At the little port of Lowestoft they met a sullen sailorman who stoodstaring at the beach whereon his fishing boat lay overturned and awashfor lack of hands to drag it out of reach of the angry sea. They askedhim if he knew of how it fared with Dunwich. 

By way of answer he cursed them, adding:

"Must I be forever pestered as to Dunwich? This is the third time oflate that I have heard of Dunwich from wandering folk. Begone thitherand gather tidings for yourselves, which I hope will please you as wellas they do me. "

"Now, if I were not in haste I would stay a while to teach you manners, you foul-mouthed churl, " muttered Grey Dick between his teeth. 

"Let the fellow be, " said Hugh wearily; "the men of Lowestoft have everhated those of Dunwich, and it seems that a common woe does not softenhearts. Soon enough we shall learn the truth. "

"Ay, you'll learn it soon enough, " shouted the brute after them. "Dunwich boats won't steel Lowestoft herrings for many a year!"

So they rode on through Kessland, which they reached as night wasclosing in, through Benacre and Wrentham, also past houses in which noneseemed to dwell. 

"Murgh has been here before us, I think, " said Dick at length. 

"Then I hope that we may overtake him, " answered Hugh with a smile, "forI need his tidings--or his rest. Oh! Dick, Dick, " he added, "I wonderhas ever man borne a heavier burden for all this weary while? If I weresure, it would not be so bad, for when earthly hope is done we may turnto other comfort. But I'm not sure; Basil may have lied. The priestby the pit could only swear to the red cloak, of which there are many, though few be buried in them. And, Dick, there are worse things thanthat. Perchance Acour got her after all. "

"And perchance he didn't, " answered Dick. "Well, fret on if you will;the thing does not trouble me who for my part am sure enough. "

"Of what, man, of what?"

"Of seeing the lady Eve ere long. "

"In this world or the next, Dick?"

"In this. I don't reckon of the next, mayhap there we shall be blind andnot see. Besides, of what use is that world to you where it is writtenthat they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as theangels? You'll make no good angel, I'm thinking, while as for the ladyEve, she's too human for it as yet. "

"Why do you think we shall see her on earth?" asked Hugh, ignoring thesereflections. 

"Because he who is called the Helper said as much, and whatever he maybe he is no liar. Do you not remember what Red Eve told you when sheawoke from that dream of hers, which was no dream? And do you notremember what Sir Andrew told you as to a certain meeting in thesnow--pest upon it!" and he wiped some of the driving flakes from hisface--"Sir Andrew, who is a saint, and, therefore, like Murgh, can be noliar?"

"If you think thus, " said Hugh in a new voice, "why did you not say sobefore?"

"Because I love not argument, master, and if I had, you would ever havereasoned with me from Avignon to Yarmouth town and spoilt my sleep ofnights. Oh! where is your faith?"

"What is faith, Dick?"

"The gift of belief, master. A very great gift, seeing what a manbelieves is and will be true for him, however false it may prove forothers. He who believes nothing, sows nothing, and therefore reapsnothing, good or ill. "

"Who taught you these things, Dick?"

"One whom I am not likely to forget, or you, either. One who is mymaster at archery and whose words, like his arrows, though they be few, yet strike the heart of hidden truth. Oh, fear not, doubtless sorrowwaits you yonder, " and he pointed toward Dunwich. "Yet it comes tomy lips that there's joy beyond the sorrows, the joy of battle and oflove--for those who care for love, which I think foolishness. Therestands a farm, and the farmer is a friend of mine, or used to be. Let usgo thither and feed these poor beasts and ourselves, or I think we willnever come to Dunwich through this cold and snow. Moreover, " he addedthoughtfully, "joy or sorrow or both of them are best met by full men, and I wish to look to your harness and my own, for sword and axe arerusted with the sea. Who knows but that we may need them in Dunwich, orbeyond, when we meet with Murgh, as he promised that we should. "

So they rode up to the house and found Dick's friend, the farmer, lyingdead there in his own yard, whither his family had dragged him ere theydetermined to fly the place. Still, there was fodder in the stable andthey lit a fire in the kitchen hearth and drank of the wine which theyhad brought with them from the ship, and ate of the bacon which stillhung from the rafters. This done, they lay down to sleep a while. Aboutone in the morning, however, Hugh roused Dick and David, saying that hecould rest no more and that something in his heart bade him push on toDunwich. 

"Then let us follow your heart, master, " said Dick, yawning. "Yet I wishit had waited till dawn to move you. Yes, let us follow your heart togood or evil. David, go you out and saddle up those nags. "

For Dick had worked late at their mail and weapons, which now werebright and sharp again, and was very weary. 

It was after three in the morning when at length, leaving the heath, they rode up to Dunwich Middlegate, expecting to find it shut againstthem at such an hour. But it stood open, nor did any challenge them fromthe guardhouse. 

"They keep an ill watch in Dunwich now-a-days, " grumbled Dick. "Well, perchance there is one here to whom they can trust that business. "

Hugh made no answer, only pressed on down the narrow street, that wasdeep and dumb with snow, till at length they drew reign before the doorof his father's house, in the market-place, the great house where hewas born. He looked at the windows and noted that, although they wereunshuttered, no friendly light shone in them. He called aloud, but echowas his only answer, echo and the moan of the bitter wind and the sullenroar of the sea. 

"Doubtless all men are asleep, " he said. "Why should it be otherwise atsuch an hour? Let us enter and waken them. "

"Yes, yes, " answered Dick as he dismounted and threw the reins of hishorse to David. "They are like the rest of Dunwich--asleep. "

So they entered and began to search the house by the dim light of themoon. First they searched the lower chambers, then those where Hugh'sfather and his brothers had slept, and lastly the attics. Here theyfound the pallets of the serving-folk upon the floor, but none at restupon them. 

"The house is deserted, " said Hugh heavily. 

"Yes, yes, " answered Dick again, in a cheerful voice; "doubtless Masterde Cressi and your brothers have moved away to escape the pest. "

"Pray God they have escaped it!" muttered Hugh. "This place stifles me, "he added. "Let us out. "

"Whither shall we go, master?"

"To Blythburgh Manor, " he answered, "for there I may win tidings. David, bide you here, and if you can learn aught follow us across the moor. Themanor cannot be missed. "

So once more Hugh and Dick mounted their horses and rode away throughthe town, stopping now and again before some house they knew and callingto its inmates. But though they called loudly none answered. Soon theygrew sure that this was because there were none to answer, since ofthose houses many of the doors stood open. Only one living creature didthey see in Dunwich. As they turned the corner near to the BlythburghGate they met a grey-haired man wrapped up in tattered blankets whichwere tied about him with haybands. He carried in his hand a beautifulflagon of silver. Doubtless he had stolen it from some church. 

Seeing them, he cast this flagon into the snow and began to whimper likea dog. 

"Mad Tom, " said Dick, recognizing the poor fellow. "Tell us, Thomas, where are the folk of Dunwich?"

"Dead, dead; all dead!" he wailed, and fled away. 

"Stay! What of Master de Cressi?" called Hugh. But the tower of thechurch round which he had vanished only echoed back across the snow, "What of Master de Cressi?"

Then at last Hugh understood the awful truth. 

It was that, save those who had fled, the people of Dunwich were slainwith the Sword of Pestilence, and all his kin among them. 

They were on the Blythburgh Marshes, travelling thither by the shortestroad. The moon was down and the darkness dense, for the snow-clouds hidthe stars. 

"Let us bide here a while, " said Grey Dick as their horses blunderedthrough the thick reeds. "It will soon be sunrise, and if we go on inthis gloom we shall fall into some boghole or into the river, which Ihear running on our left. "

So they halted their weary horses and sat still, for in his wretchednessHugh cared not what he did. 

At length the east began to lighten, turning the sky to a smoky red. Then the rim of the sun rising out of the white-flecked ocean, threwathwart the desolate marsh a fierce ray that lay upon the snows like asword of blood. They were standing on the crest of a little mound, andDick, looking about him, knew the place. 

"See, " he said, pointing toward the river that ran near by, "it is justhere that you killed young Clavering this day two years ago. Yonder alsoI shot the French knights, and Red Eve and you leapt into the Blythe andswam it. "

"Ay, " said Hugh, looking up idly, "but did you say two years, Dick? Nay, surely 'tis a score. Why, " he added in a changed voice, "who may that bein the hollow?" and he pointed to a tall figure which stood beneath themat a distance, half-hidden by the dank snow-mists. 

"Let us go and see, " said Dick, speaking almost in a whisper, forthere was that about this figure which sent the blood to his throat andcheeks. 

He drove the spurs into his tired horse's sides, causing it to leapforward. 

Half a minute later they had ridden down the slope of the hollow. Apuff of wind that came with the sun drove away the mist. Dick uttereda choking cry and leapt from his saddle. For there, calm, terrible, mighty, clothed in his red and yellow cap and robe of ebon furs, stoodhe who was named Murgh the Fire, Murgh the Sword, Murgh the Helper, Murgh, Gateway of the Gods!

They knelt before him in the snow, while, screaming in their fright, thehorses fled away. 

"Knight and Archer, " said Murgh, in his icy voice, counting with thethumb of his white-gloved right hand upon the hidden fingers of hisleft. "Friends, you keep your tryst, but there are more to come. Havepatience, there are more to come. "

Then he became quiet, nor dared they ask him any questions. Only at amotion of his arm they rose from their knees and stood before him. 

A long while they stood thus in silence, till under Murgh's dreadfulgaze Hugh's brain began to swim. He looked about him, seeking somenatural thing to feed his eyes. Lo! yonder was that which he mightwatch, a hare crouching in its form not ten paces distant. See, out ofthe reeds crept a great red fox. The hare smelt or saw, and leapedaway. The fox sprang at it, too late, for the white fangs closed emptilybehind its scut. Then with a little snarl of hungry rage it turned andvanished into the brake. 

The hare and the fox, the dead reeds, the rising sun, the snow--oh, whohad told him of these things?

Ah! he remembered now, and that memory set the blood pulsing in hisveins. For where these creatures were should be more besides Grey Dickand himself and the Man of many names. 

He looked toward Murgh to see that he had bent himself and with hisgloved hand was drawing lines upon the snow. Those lines when they weredone enclosed the shape of a grave!

"Archer, " said Murgh, "unsheath your axe and dig. "

As though he understood, Dick obeyed, and began to hollow out a grave inthe soft and boggy soil. 

Hugh watched him like one who dreams, wondering who was destined to fillthat grave. Presently a sound behind caused him to turn his head. 

Oh! certainly he was mad, for there over the rise not a dozen yards awaycame the beautiful ghost of Eve Clavering, clad in her red cloak. Withher was another ghost, that of old Sir Andrew Arnold, blood running downthe armour beneath his robe and in his hand the hilt of a broken sword. 

Hugh tried to speak, but his lips were dumb, nor did these ghosts takeany heed of him, for their eyes were fixed elsewhere. To Murgh they wentand stood before him silent. For a while he looked at them, then askedin his cold voice:

"Who am I, Eve Clavering?"

"The Man who came to visit me in my dream at Avignon and told me that Ishould live, " she answered slowly. 

"And who say you that I am, Andrew Arnold, priest of Christ the God?"

"He whom I visited in my youth in far Cathay, " answered the oldknight in an awed whisper. "He who sat beside the pool behind thedragon-guarded doors and was named Gateway of the Gods. He who showed tome that we should meet again in such a place and hour as this. "

"Whence come you now, priest and woman, and why?"

"We come from Avignon. We fled thence from one who would have done thismaiden grievous wrong. He followed us. Not an hour gone he overtookus with his knaves. He set them on to seize this woman, hanging backhimself. Old as I am I slew them both and got my death in it, " and hetouched the great wound in his side with the hilt of the broken sword. "Our horses were the better; we fled across the swamp for Blythburgh, hehunting us and seeking my life and her honour. Thus we found you as itwas appointed. "

Murgh turned his eyes. Following their glance, for the first time theysaw Hugh de Cressi and near him Grey Dick labouring at the grave. Evestretched out her arms and so stood with head thrown back, the light ofthe daybreak shining in her lovely eyes and on her outspread hair. Hughopened his lips to speak but Murgh lifted his hand and pointed behindthem. 

They turned and there, not twenty paces from them, clad in armourand seated on a horse was Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon, Seigneur ofCattrina. 

He saw, then wheeled round to fly. 

"Archer, to your work!" said Murgh, "you know it. "

Ere the words had left his lips the great black bow was bent and ere theechoes died away the horse, struck in its side by the keen arrow, sankdying to the ground. 

Then Murgh beckoned to the rider and he came as a man who must. But, throwing down the bow, Grey Dick once more began to labour at the gravelike one who takes no further heed of aught save his allotted task. 

Acour stood before Murgh like a criminal before his judge. 

"Man, " said the awful figure addressing him, "where have you been andwhat have you done since last we spoke together in the midday dark atVenice?"

Now, dragged word by slow word from his unwilling lips, came the answerof the traitor's heart. 

"I fled from the field at Venice because I feared this knight, and you, O Spirit of Death. I journeyed to Avignon, in France, and there stroveto possess myself of yonder woman whom here in England, with the helpof one Nicholas, I had wed, when she was foully drugged. I stroveto possess myself of her by fraud and by violence. But some fate wasagainst me. She and that aged priest bribed the knave whom I trusted. Hecaused a dead man and woman dressed in their garments to be borne fromtheir lodging to the plague pit while they fled from Avignon disguised. "

Here for a moment Grey Dick paused from his labours at the grave andlooked up at Hugh. Then he fell to them again, throwing out the peatysoil with both hands. 

"My enemy and his familiar, for man he can scarcely be, " went on Acour, pointing first to Hugh and then to Dick, "survived all my plans to killthem and instead killed those whom I had sent after them. I learned thatthe woman and the priest were not dead, but fled, and followed them, andafter me came my enemy and his familiar. Twice we passed each other onthe road, once we slept in the same house. I knew them but they knew menot and the Fate which blinded me from them, saved them also from all myplots to bring them to their doom. The woman and the priest took ship toEngland, and I followed in another ship, being made mad with desire andwith jealous rage, for there I knew my enemy would find and win her. Inthe darkness before this very dawn I overtook the woman and the priestat last and set my fellows on to kill the man. Myself I would strikeno blow, fearing lest my death should come upon me, and so I should berobbed of her. But God fought with His aged servant who in his youth wasthe first of knights. He slew my men, then fled on with the woman, Eveof Clavering. I followed, knowing that he was sore wounded and must die, and that then the beauty which has lured me to shame and ruin would bemine, if only for an hour. I followed, and here at this place of evilomen, where first I saw my foe, I found _you_, O Incarnate Sword ofVengeance. "

Murgh unfolded his bare arms and lifted his head, which was sunk uponhis breast. 

"Your pardon, " he said gently, "my name is Hand of Fate and not Swordof Vengeance. There is no vengeance save that which men work uponthemselves. What fate may be and vengeance may be I know not fully, and none will ever know until they have passed the Gateway of the Gods. Archer the grave is deep enough. Come forth now and let us learn who itis decreed shall fill it. Knights, the hour is at hand for you to finishthat which you began at Crecy and at Venice. "

Hugh heard and drew his sword. Acour drew his sword also, then criedout, pointing to Grey Dick:

"Here be two against one. If I conquer he will shoot me with his bow. "

"Have no fear, Sir Thief and Liar, " hissed Grey Dick, "for that shaftwill not be needed. Slay the master if you can and go safe from thesquire, " and he unstrung his black bow and hid it in its case. 

Now Hugh stepped to where Red Eve stood, the wounded Sir Andrew leaningon her shoulder. Bending down he kissed her on the lips, saying:

"Soon, very soon, my sweet, whom I have lost and found again, you willbe mine on earth, or I shall be yours in heaven. This, then, in greetingor farewell. "

"In greeting, beloved, not in farewell, " she answered as she kissed himback, "for if you die, know that I follow hard upon your road. Yet I saythat yonder grave was not dug for you. "

"Nay, not for you, son, not for you, " said Sir Andrew lifting his fainthead. "One fights for you whom you do not see, and against Him Satan andhis servant cannot stand, " and letting fall the sword hilt he stretchedout his thin hand and blessed him. 

Now when Acour saw that embrace his jealous fury prevailed against hisfears. With a curse upon his lips he leapt at Hugh and smote, thinkingto take him unawares. But Hugh was watching, and sprang back, and thenthe fray began, if fray it can be called. 

A wild joy shining in his eyes, Hugh grasped his long sword with bothhands and struck. So great was that blow that it bit through Acour'sarmour, beneath his right arm, deep into the flesh and sent himstaggering back. Again he struck and wounded him in the shoulder; athird time and clove his helm so that the blood poured down into hiseyes and blinded him. 

Back reeled Acour, back to the very edge of the grave, and stood thereswaying to and fro. At the sight of his helplessness Hugh's fury seemedto leave him. His lifted sword sank downward. 

"Let God deal with you, knave, " he said, "for I cannot. "

For a while there was silence. There they stood and stared at thesmitten man waiting the end, whatever it might be. They all stared saveMurgh, who fixed his stony eyes upon the sky. 

Presently it came. The sword, falling from Acour's hand into the grave, rested there point upward. With a last effort he drew his dagger. Dashing the blood from his eyes, he hurled it with all his dyingstrength, not at Hugh, but at Red Eve. Past her ear it hissed, severinga little tress of her long hair, which floated down on to the snow. 

Then Acour threw his arms wide and fell backward--fell backward andvanished in the grave. 

Dick ran to look. There he lay dead, pierced through back and bosom bythe point of his own sword. 

For one brief flash of time a black dove-shaped bird was seen hoveringround the head of Murgh. 

"Finished!" said Dick straightening himself. "Well, I had hoped to see abetter fight, but cowards die as cowards live. "

Leaning on Red Eve's shoulder Sir Andrew limped to the side of thegrave. They both looked down on that which lay therein. 

"Daughter, " said the old man, "through many dangers it has come aboutas I foretold. The bond that in your drugged sleep bound you to thishighborn knave is severed by God's sword of death. Christ have pity onhis sinful soul. Now, Sir Hugh de Cressi, come hither and be swift, formy time is short. "

Hugh obeyed, and at a sign took Eve by the hand. Then, speaking verylow and as quickly as he might for all his life was draining from himthrough the red wound in his side, the old priest spoke the hallowedwords that bound these two together till death should part them. Yes, there by the graveside, over the body of the dead Acour, there in thered light of the morning, amidst the lonely snows, was celebrated thestrangest marriage the world has ever seen. In nature's church it wascelebrated, with the grim, grey Archer for a clerk, and Death's ownfearful minister for congregation. 

It was done and with uplifted, trembling hands Sir Andrew blessed themboth--them and the fruit of their bodies which was to be. He blessedthem in the name of the all-seeing God he served. He bade them put asidetheir grief for those whom they had lost. Soon, he said, their shortday done, the lost would be found again, made glorious, and withthem himself, who, loving them both on earth, would love them througheternity. 

Then, while their eyes grew blind with tears, and even the fierce archerturned aside his face, Sir Andrew staggered to where he stood who in theLand of Sunrise had been called Gateway of the Gods. Before him he benthis grey and ancient head. 

"O thou who dwellest here below to do the will of heaven, to thee I comeas once thou badest me, " he said, and was silent. 

Murgh let his eyes rest on him. Then stretching out his hand, he touchedhim very gently on the breast, and as he touched him smiled a sweet andwondrous smile. 

"Good and faithful servant, " he said, "thy work is done on earth. Now I, whom all men fear, though I be their friend and helper, am bidden by theLord of life and death to call thee home. Look up and pass!"

The old priest obeyed. It seemed to those who watched that the radianceon the face of Murgh had fallen upon him also. He smiled, he stretchedhis arms upward as though to clasp what they might not see. Then down hesank gently, as though upon a bed, and lay white and still in the white, still snow. 

The Helper turned to the three who remained alive. 

"Farewell for a little time, " he said. "I must be gone. But when we meetagain, as meet we shall, then fear me not, for have you not seen that tothose who love me I am gentle?"

Hugh de Cressi and Red Eve made no answer, for they knew not what tosay. But Grey Dick spoke out boldly. 

"Sir Lord, or Sir Spirit, " he said, "save once at the beginning, whenthe arrow burst upon my string, I never feared you. Nor do I fear yourgifts, " and he pointed to the grave and to dead Sir Andrew, "which oflate have been plentiful throughout the world, as we of Dunwich know. Therefore I dare to ask you one question ere we part for a while. Why doyou take one and leave another? Is it because you must, or because everyshaft does not hit its mark?"

Now Murgh looked him up and down with his sunken eyes, then answered:

"Come hither, archer, and I will lay my hand upon your heart also andyou shall learn. "

"Nay, " cried Grey Dick, "for now I have the answer to the riddle, sinceI know you cannot lie. When we die we still live and know; therefore I'mcontent to wait. "

Again that smile swept across Murgh's awful face though that smile wascold as the winter dawn. Then he turned and slowly walked away towardthe west. 

They watched him go till he became but a blot of fantastic colour thatsoon vanished on the moorland. 

Hugh spoke to Red Eve and said:

"Wife, let us away from this haunted place and take what joy we can. Whoknows when Murgh may return again and make us as are all the others whomwe love!"

"Ay, husband won at last, " she answered, "who knows? Yet, after so muchfear and sorrow, first I would rest a while with you. "

So hand in hand they went till they, too, grew small and vanished on thesnowy marsh. 

But Grey Dick stayed there alone with the dead, and presently spokealoud for company. 

"The woman has him heart and soul, " he said, "as is fitting, and where'sthe room between the two for an archer-churl to lodge? Mayhap, afterall, I should have done well to take yonder Murgh for lord when I hadthe chance. Man, or god, or ghost, he's a fellow to my liking, and oncehe had led me through the Gates no woman would have dared to come topart us. Well, good-bye, Hugh de Cressi, till you are sick of kisses andthe long shafts begin to fly again, for then you will bethink you of acertain bow and of him who alone can bend it. "

Having spoken thus in his hissing voice, whereof the sound resembledthat of an arrow in its flight, Grey Dick descended into the grave andtrod the earth over Acour's false and handsome face, hiding it from thesight of men forever. 

Then he lifted up the dead Sir Andrew in his strong arms and slowly borehim thence to burial.