Part 34 (2/2)

”Well spoken, like a brave and gallant knight, for, by St. Denis, the plan is not to my liking even though these insolent islanders deserve all that is evil. But, see here! This letter must be given to the Governor of the town by to-morrow, though, alas! it is cold comfort to Sir John. Canst arrange to deliver it?”

”They will admit me by the postern of the Boulogne Gate at midnight.

'Twill be done.”

”Then take thy reward. Hold the light closer while I count, for I know a Gascon of old! See to it: all bright crowns, of good weight.”

The Frenchman addressed as Jehan handed a sealed doc.u.ment to the Gascon, who placed it in his doublet; then, setting the lantern on the ground and extending his hand, the latter counted the coins as Jehan took them from his wallet.

Loosening his poignard and motioning to Thompson to draw his knife, Raymond prepared to spring from his hiding-place.

Ere the two conspirators could recover from their astonishment the young knight had leapt upon them, and with one thrust of his weapon laid the traitorous Gascon dead at his feet. Instinctively the Frenchman sprang backwards and whipped out his sword.

”Yield thee!” thundered Raymond.

”To no man!”

In an instant their blades met, the dull light of the lantern flas.h.i.+ng on the glittering steel. Though Jehan had the longer weapon, he possessed neither the strength nor the skill of his antagonist, and in less than half a minute's swordplay the Frenchman's blade caught in the notch that the hilt of most poignards possess, and with a quick, powerful turn of the wrist Raymond snapped the sword off close to the guard.

”Now wilt yield?”

”If thou art a gentleman I will; if not, pa.s.s the dagger through me rather than let me disgrace myself.”

”I am Sir Raymond Revyngton, knight.”

”Then, Sir Raymond, I yield myself to thee; though I pray thee, certify my master that I fought well ere I yielded.”

”And thy name and quality?”

”I am Jehan de Sous-Cahors, seneschal de Vimereux, and of the household of King Philip.”

”Then I have had great honour in taking thee!” said Raymond with due courtesy. ”And now have I thy promise that there shall be no attempt at escape? Otherwise, though it grieve me to mishandle a knight, thou must be brought bound into the camp.”

”I swear, by St. Denis.”

The grey dawn was beginning to break, and the storm was dying away.

Raymond looked out of the door, and saw with great satisfaction the knight's horse stabled in a small adjoining hut that had been invisible on the previous night. There in the distance the smoke of the English camp-fires showed distinctly in the now clear air, while less than a bowshot from the mill lay the wood that had been the cause of their misfortune.

Suddenly the young knight heard the sound of scuffling and Thompson's voice shouting ”Help, master, help!”

Darting back to the room, he found his servant engaged in a desperate struggle with the captive, who was endeavouring to destroy the letter he had entrusted to the double-dealing Gascon, a portion of which he had attempted to swallow.

With no gentle hand Raymond aided his man to throw the prisoner on his back and wrench the missive from him.

”Thy parole, Sir Knight!” he exclaimed.

”----has been kept,” gasped the captive, ”but I trow thou wilt admit that no farther compact was made. I am foiled in this matter, but I pray thee, of thy courtesy, give me leave to finish my work and destroy this missive.”

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