Part 24 (1/2)

”For my life,” said Hyla.

”Then you and I are in one boat, Hyla, as it is said. I doubted that you had come against me just now. So they are after you? Have you been killing game in the forest or stealing corn?”

”It was game,” said Hyla quickly; ”big game,” he added in an uneasy afterward.

There was silence for a minute. The long, lean man seemed turning over something in his mind.

”So you got to Icomb for sanctuary,” he said slowly. ”And Geoffroi sent his men after you. It is a long way through the fen to go after one thrall. And also they say Lord Roger Bigot is going to Hilgay with a great host. It is unlike Geoffroi de la Bourne to waste men hunting for a serf at such a time. He is growing old and foolish.”

Hyla glanced at him quickly. He knew by the man's mocking tone that he was disbelieved. Hyla was but a poor liar.

”Then you know Lord Geoffroi?” he said, stumbling woefully over the words.

”I know him,” said the man slowly. ”I am well acquainted with that lord, though it is eight years since we have met.” Suddenly his voice rose, though he seemed to be trying to control it. ”G.o.d curse him!” he cried in a hoa.r.s.e scream; ”will the devil never go to his own place!”

Hyla started eagerly. The man's pa.s.sion was so extreme, his curse was so real and full of bitter hatred that an avowal trembled on his lips.

The other gave him the cue for it.

”Come, man,” he said briskly, resuming his ordinary voice; ”you are keeping something. Tell out straight to one who knows you and Gruach also--does that surprise you? There are no friends of the house of Bourne here. What is it, what hast done?”

”Killed him,” said Hyla shortly.

”Splendeur dex!” said the man in a fierce whisper. His face worked, his eyes became prominent, he trembled all over with excitement, like a hunting dog scenting a quarry while in the leash.

Then he burst out into a torrent of questions in French, the foreign words tumbling over each other in his eagerness.

Hyla knew nothing of what he said, for he had no French. Seeing his look of astonishment, the man recovered himself. ”I forgot for a moment,” he said, ”who you were. Now thank G.o.d for this news! So, you have killed him! At last! At last! How and why? Say quickly.”

Hyla told him in a few words all the story.

”And who are you, then?” he said, when he had done.

”I call myself Lisole to the few that I meet in the fen. But agone I had another name. Come and see.”

He took Hyla by the arm and led him into the cabin. It was a comfortable little shelter. A couch of skins ran down one side, and above it were shelves covered with pots, pans, tools, and fis.h.i.+ng gear. A long yew-bow stood in one corner among a few spears. An arbalist lay upon a wooden chest. Light came into the place through a window covered with oiled sheep-skin stretched upon a sliding frame. In one corner was an iron fire-pan for use in winter, and a hollow shaft of wood above it went through the roof in a kind of chimney.

The place was a palace to Hyla's notions. No serf had such a home. The cabin was crowded with possessions. Unconsciously Hyla began to speak with deference to this owner of so much.

”See here,” said the man. At the end of the cabin was a broad shelf painted in red, with a touch of gilding. A thick candle of fat with a small wick, which gave a tiny glimmer of light, was burning in an iron stand. In the wall behind, was a little doorless cupboard, or alcove, in which was a small box of dark wood, heavily bound round with iron bands.

At the back of the alcove a cap of parti-coloured red and yellow was nailed to the wall.

The man who called himself Lisole lifted the box from the alcove carefully, and as he did so the edge touched a bell on the end of the pointed cap. It tinkled musically.

Hyla crossed himself, for the place he saw was a shrine, and the iron-bound coffer held the relic of some saint.

”On this day,” said the man, ”I will show you what no other eyes than mine have seen for eight long, lonely years. I doubt nothing but that it is G.o.d His guidance that has brought you here to this place. For to you more than all other men this sight is due.”

So saying, he fumbled in his coat, and pulled therefrom a key, which hung round his neck upon a cord of twisted gut.

He opened the box and drew several objects from it. One was a great lock of nut-brown hair, full three feet long, as soft and fine as spun silk.