Part 13 (1/2)
”Villain!” cried Geoffrey, seizing the half-extricated body by the throat. ”Thy false skin is honester than thyself, and warned us. Back inside!”
The robber's eyes shrivelled to the size of a snake's, as, with no tenderness, the youth grappled with him still entangled, and with hands, feet, and knees drove him into his sh.e.l.l as a hasty traveller tramples his effects into a packing-case.
”See,” said Elaine, ”how pleasantly we two have you at our disposal.
Shall the neighbours be called to have a sight of the Dragon?”
”What do you want with me?” said Sir Francis, quietly. For he was a philosopher.
”In the first place,” answered Geoffrey, ”know that thou art caught.
And if I shall spare thee this night, it may well be they'll set thy carcase swinging on the gallows-tree to-morrow morning,--or, being Christmas, the day after.”
”I can see my case without thy help,” Sir Francis replied. ”What next?”
At this, Elaine came to Geoffrey and they whispered together.
[Ill.u.s.tration: The Dragon perceiueth hymself to be entrapped]
”Thy trade is done for,” said the youth, at length. ”There'll be no more monks of Oyster-le-Main, and no more Dragon of Wantley. But thou and the other curs may live, if ye so choose.”
”Through what do I buy my choice?”
”Through a further exhibition of thine art. Thou must play Dragon to-night once again for the last time. This, that I may show thee captive to Sir G.o.dfrey Disseisin.”
”And in chains, I think,” added Elaine. ”There is one behind the post.” It had belonged in the bear-pit during the lives of Orlando Crumb and Furioso Bun, two bears trapped expressly for the Baron near Roncevaux.
”After which?” inquired Sir Francis.
”Thou shalt go free, and I will claim this lady's hand from her father, who promised her to any man that brought the Dragon to him dead or alive.”
”Papa shall be kept at a distance from you,” said Elaine, ”and will never suspect in this dimness, if you roar at him thoroughly.”
”Then,” continued Geoffrey, ”I shall lead thee away as my spoil, and the people shall see the lizard-skin after a little while. But thou must journey far from Wantley, and never show face again.”
”And go from Oyster-le-Main and the t.i.things?” exclaimed Sir Francis.
”My house and my sustenance?”
”Sustain thyself elsewhere,” said Geoffrey; ”I care not how.”
”No!” said Sir Francis. ”I'll not do this.”
”Then we call Sir G.o.dfrey. The Baron will not love thee very much, seeing how well he loves his Burgundy thou hast drank. Thou gavest him sermons on cold spring-water. He'll remember that. I think thou'lt be soon hanging. So choose.”
The Knight of the Voracious Stomach was silent.
”This is a pretty scheme thou hast,” he presently said. ”And not thine own. She has taught thee this wit, I'll be bound. Mated to her, thou'lt prosper, I fear.”
”Come, thy choice,” said Geoffrey, sternly.
A sour smile moved the lips of Sir Francis. ”Well,” he said, ”it has been good while it lasted. Yes, I consent. Our interests lie together.