Red Eve................................................................................................................................................................1

H. Rider Haggard .....................................................................................................................................1

MURGH THE DEATH ..........................................................................................................................2

CHAPTER I. THE TRYSTINGPLACE ..............................................................................................3

CHAPTER II. THE FIGHT BY THE RIVER ........................................................................................8

CHAPTER III. FATHER ANDREW ...................................................................................................17

CHAPTER IV. THE PENANCE ..........................................................................................................26

CHAPTER V. GREY DICK SHOWS HIS ARCHERY ......................................................................34

CHAPTER VI. THE SNARE ...............................................................................................................45

CHAPTER VII. THE LOVE PHILTRE ...............................................................................................51

CHAPTER VIII. TOO LATE ...............................................................................................................59

CHAPTER IX. CRECY FIELD ...........................................................................................................66

CHAPTER X. THE KING'S CHAMPION ..........................................................................................76

CHAPTER XI. THE CHALLENGE ....................................................................................................83

CHAPTER XII. THE MAN FROM THE EAST ..................................................................................91

CHAPTER XIII. MURGH'S ARROW .................................................................................................98

CHAPTER XIV. AT THE PLACE OF ARMS ..................................................................................106

CHAPTER XV. THE DEATH AT WORK ........................................................................................115

CHAPTER XVI. AT AVIGNON .......................................................................................................124

CHAPTER XVII. A MEETING .........................................................................................................132

CHAPTER XVIII. THE PLAGUE PIT ..............................................................................................140

CHAPTER XIX. THE DOOM ...........................................................................................................149

They knew nothing of it in England or all the Western countries in those days 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

light and life, death and the decrees of God, had loosed upon the world. Not one in a multitude in Europe had

ever even heard of those vast lands of far Cathay peopled with hundreds of millions of cold faced yellow

men, lands which had grown very old before our own familiar states and empires were carved out of

mountain, of forest, and of savagehaunted plain. Yet if their eyes had been open so that they could see, well

might they have trembled. King, prince, priest, merchant, captain, citizen and poor labouring hind, well might

Look across the world beyond that curtain of thick darkness. Behold! A vast city of fantastic houses half

buried in winter snows and reddened by the lurid sunset breaking through a sawtoothed canopy of cloud.

Everywhere upon the temple squares and open spaces great fires burning a strange fuelthe bodies of

thousands of mankind. Pestilence was king of that city, a pestilence hitherto unknown. Innumerable hordes

had died and were dying, yet innumerable hordes remained. All the patient East bore 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 a procession toward the brown,

iceflecked river. First marched a company of priests clad in black robes, and carrying on poles lanterns of

black paper, lighted, although the sun still shone. Behind marched another company of priests clad in white

robes, and bearing white lanterns, also lighted. But at these none looked, nor did they listen to the dirges that

they sang, for all eyes were fixed upon him who filled the centre space and upon his two companions.

The first companion was a lovely woman, jewelhung, wearing false flowers in her streaming hair, and

beneath her bared breasts a kirtle of white silk. Life and love embodied in radiance and beauty, she danced in

front, looking about her with alluring eyes, and scattering petals of dead roses from a basket which she bore.

Different was the second companion, who stalked behind; so thin, so sexless that none could say if the shape

were that of man or woman. Dry, streaming locks of irongrey, an ashen countenance, deepset, hollow eyes,

a beetling, parchmentcovered brow; lean shanks half hidden with a rotting rag, clawlike hands which

clutched miserably at the air. Such was its awful fashion, that of new death in all its terrors.

Between them, touched of neither, went a man, naked save for a red girdle and a long red cloak that was

fastened round his throat and hung down from his broad shoulders. There was nothing strange about this man,

unless it were perhaps the strength that seemed to flow from him and the glance of his icy eyes. He was just a

burly yellow man, whose age none could tell, for the hood of the red cloak hid his hair; one who seemed to be

far removed from youth, and yet untouched by time. He walked on steadily, intently, his face immovable,

Only now and again he turned those long eyes of his upon one of the multitude who watched him pass

crouched upon their knees in solemn silence, always upon one, whether it were man, woman, or child, with a

glance meant for that one and no other. And ever the one upon whom it fell rose from the knee, made

Down to the quay went the black priests, the white priests, and the redcloaked man, preceded by rose life,

followed by ashen death. Through the funeral fires they wended, and the lurid sunset shone upon them all.

To the pillars of this quay was fastened a strange, highpooped ship with crimson sails set upon her masts.

The white priests and the black priests formed lines upon either side of the broad gangway of that ship and

bowed as the redcloaked man walked over it between them quite alone, for now she with the dead roses and

she of the ashen countenance had fallen back. As the sun sank, standing on the lofty stern, he cried aloud:

"Here the work is done. Now I, the Eating Fire, I the Messenger, get me to the West. Among you for a while I

As he spoke the ropes of the ship were loosened, the wind caught her crimson sails, and she departed into the

The multitude watched until they could see her no longer. Then they flamed up with mingled joy and rage.

"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 bearing the 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 shapes seemed to move dimly, that trailed after

The black priests and the white priests heard. Without struggle, without complaint, 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 kneeling lines without haste, without

wrath, and, letting fall the heavy swords upon the patient, outstretched necks, did their grim office till all

were dead. Then they turned to find her of the flowers who had danced before, and her of the tattered weeds

who had followed after, purposing to cast them to the funeral flames. But these were gone, though none had

seen them go. Only out of the gathering darkness from some temple or pagodatop a voice spoke like a

"Fools," wailed the voice, "still with you is Murgh, the second Thing created; Murgh, who was made to be

man's minister. Murgh the Messenger shall reappear from beyond the setting sun. Ye cannot kill, ye cannot

spare. Those priests you seemed to slay he had summoned to be his officers afar. Fools! Ye do but serve as

serves Murgh, Gateway of the Gods. Life and death are not in your hands or in his. They are in the hands of

the Master of Murgh, Helper of man, of that Lord whom no eye hath seen, but whose behests all who are

born obeyyes, even the mighty Murgh, Looser of burdens, whom in your foolishness ye fear."

So spoke this voice out of the darkness, and that night the sword of the great pestilence was lifted from the

On the very day when Murgh the Messenger sailed forth into that uttermost sea, a young man and a maiden

met together at the Blythburgh marshes, near to Dunwich, on the eastern coast of England. In this, the month

of February of the year 1346, hard and bitter frost held Suffolk in its grip. The muddy stream of Blyth, it is

true, was frozen only in places, since the tide, flowing up from the Southwold harbour, where it runs into the

sea between that ancient town and the hamlet of Walberswick, had broken up the ice. But all else was set

Stark and naked stood the tall, dry reeds. The blackbirds and starlings perched upon the willows seemed

swollen into feathery balls, the fur started on the backs of hares, and a fourhorse wain could travel in safety

On such an eve, with snow threatening, the great marsh was utterly desolate, and this was why these two had

To look on they were a goodly pairthe girl, who was clothed in the red she always wore, tall, dark, well

shaped, with large black eyes and a determined face, one who would make a very stately woman; the man

broad shouldered, with grey eyes that were quick and almost fierce, long limbed, hard, agile, and healthy, one

who had never known sickness, who looked as though the world were his own to master. He was young, but

threeandtwenty that day, and his simple dress, a tunic of thick wool fastened round him with a leathern

The girl, although she seemed his elder, in fact was only in her twentieth year. Yet from her who had been

reared in the hard school of that cruel age childhood had long departed, leaving her a ripened woman before

"Well, Cousin Eve Clavering," said the man, in his clear voice, "why did your message bid me meet you in

"Because I had a word to say to you, Cousin Hugh de Cressi," she answered boldly; "and the marsh being so

cold and so lonesome I thought it suited to my purpose. Does Grey Dick watch yonder?"

"Ay, behind those willows, arrow on string, and God help him on whom Dick draws! But what was that

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

"Would you know, Hugh? Well, the story is short, so I'll let it out. Our greatgrandmother, the heiress of the

de Cheneys, married twice, did she not, and from the first husband came the de Cressis, and from the second

the Claverings. But in this way or in that we Claverings got the lands, or most of them, and you de Cressis,

the nobler stock, took to merchandise. Now since those days you have grown rich with your fishing fleets,

your wool mart, and your ferry dues at Walberswick and Southwold. We, too, are rich in manors and land,

counting our acres by the thousand, but yet poor, lacking your gold, though yonder manor"and she pointed

to some towers which rose far away above the trees upon the high land"has many mouths to feed. Also the

sea has robbed us at Dunwich, where I was born, taking our great house and sundry streets that paid us rent,

"Much, Hugh, as you should know who have been bred to trade," and she glanced at his merchant's dress.

"Between de Cressi and Clavering there has been rivalry and feud for three long generations. When we were

children 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 they quarrelled about the ferry that we had set in pawn, and your father asked his

gold back again, and, not getting it, took the ferry, which I have always held a foolish and strifebreeding

deed, since from that day forward the war was open. Therefore, Hugh, if we meet at all it must be in these

frozen reeds or behind the cover of a thicket, like a village slut and her man."

"I know that well enough, Eve, who have spoken with you but twice in nine months." And he devoured her

"Of that ill word, this, Hugh: I have a new suitor up yonder, a fine French suitor, a very great lord indeed,

whose wealth, I am told, none can number. From his mother he has the Valley of the Waveney up to Bungay

townay, and beyondand from his father, a whole county in Normandy. Five French knights ride behind

his banner, and with them ten squires and I know not how many menatarms. There is feasting yonder at

the manor, I can tell you. Ere his train leaves us our winter provender will be done, and we'll have to drink

"God's truth, he has several," she answered. "Sir Edmund Acour in England, and in France the high and

puissant Count of Noyon, and in Italy, near to the city of Venicefor there, too, he has possessions which

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

"So he swears," she answered slowly; "and as for the reason, why, I suppose you must seek it in my face,

which by illfortune has pleased his lordship since first he saw it a month ago. At the least he has asked me

in marriage of my father, who jumped at him like a winter pike, and so I'm betrothed."

"Ay, I want him as far as the sun is from the moon or the world from either. I want him in heaven or beneath

"I'm glad of that, Eve, for I've been told much of this fine fellow amongst other things that he is a traitor

come here to spy on England. But should I be a match for him, man to man, Eve?" he asked after a little

"I think so, though he is no weakling; but not for him and the five knights and the ten squires, and my noble

father, and my brother, and the rest. Oh, Hugh, Hugh!" she added bitterly, "cannot you understand that you

are but a merchant's lad, though your blood be as noble as any in this realma merchant's lad, the last of five

brothers? Why were you not born the first of them if you wished for Eve Clavering, for then your red gold

"Ask that of those who begot me," said Hugh. "Come now, what's in your mind? You're not one to be sold

like a heifer at a faring and go whimpering to the altar, and I am not one to see you led there while I stand

upon my feet. We are made of a clay too stiff for a French lord's fingers, Eve, though it is true that they may

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

"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, a copy of the charter granted by John and other kings of England to the citizens of

"It said, among other things, that no man or maid of Dunwich can be forced to marry against their will, even

"Ay, I think so. I think that is why the holy Sir Andrew showed it to me, knowing something of our case, for

"Ay, so safe that tomorrow Father Nicholas, the French chaplain in his train, has been warned to wed me to

"And if this Acour is here, I'll seek him out tonight and challenge him, Eve," and Hugh laid hand upon his

"Doubtless," she replied sarcastically, "Sir Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, will find it

honour to accept the challenge of Hugh de Cressi, the merchant's youngest son. Oh, Hugh, Hugh! are your

The young man thought a while, staring at the ground and biting his lips. Then he looked up suddenly and

With a slow smile, she opened her arms, and next moment they were kissing each other as heartily as ever

man and maid have kissed since the world began, so heartily, indeed, that when at length she pushed him

"You know well that I love you, to my sorrow and undoing," she said, in a broken voice. "From childhood it

has been so between us, and till the grave takes one or both it will be so, and for my part beyond it, if the

priests speak true. For, whatever may be your case, I am not one to change my fancy. When I give, I give all,

though it be of little worth. In truth, Hugh, if I could I would marry you tonight, though you are naught but a

merchant's son, or even" And she paused, wiping her eyes with the back of her slim, strong hand.

"I thank you," he answered, trembling with joy. "So it is with me. For you and no other woman I live and die;

and though I am so humble I'll be worthy of you yet. If God keeps me in breath you shall not blush for your

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 you lodging for the night and an altar to be wed at, and tomorrow our ship sails

"Why not? It could not deepen the feud between our Houses, which already has no bottom, and if he refused,

we would take one, for the captain is my friend. And I have some little store set by; it came to me from my

"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 tell you I

sicken at his glance and shiver when he touches me. Why, if he came too near I should murder him and be

"Our purpose being honest, the end will be good, Eve, though perhaps before 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 dark face best. Cavil not at my robe, Hugh,

for it is the only dowry you will get with Eve Clavering. How shall we go? By the Walberswick ferry? You

"Nay, but I have a skiff hidden in the reeds five miles furlongs off. We must keep to the heath above

Walberswick, for there they might know your red cloak even after dark, and I would not have you seen till we

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

As he spoke a tall, gaunt man appeared, advancing towards them. His gait was a shambling trot that seemed

slow, although, in truth, he was covering the ground with extraordinary swiftness. Moreover, he moved so

silently that even on the frostheld soil his step could not be heard, and so carefully that not a reed stirred as

he threaded in and out among their clumps like an otter, his head crouched down and his long bow pointed

before him as though it were a spear. Half a minute more, and he was before thema very strange man to

see. His years were not so many, thirty perhaps, and yet his face looked quite old because of its lack of

colouring, its thinness, and the hard lines that marked where the muscles ran down to the tight, straight mouth

and up to the big forehead, over which hung hair so light that at a little distance he seemed ashengrey. Only

in this cold, rocky face, set very far apart, were two paleblue eyes, which just now, when he chose to lift

their lids 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 raised his cap to Eve, the great lady of the

ClaveringsRed Eve, as they called her through that countryside. Then he spoke, in a low, husky voice:

"They're coming, master! You and your mistress must to earth unless you mean to face them in the open,"

"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 the nights, his companions; and sixno sevenmenatarms. Also from the other

side of the grieve, Thomas of Kessland, and with him his marsh men and verderers."

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

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

"Oh, have done!" she broke in. "They come to take me, and I'll not be taken! They come to kill you, and I'll

not see you slain and live. I had words with my father this morning about the Frenchman and, I fear, let out

the truth. He told me then that ere the Dunwich roses bloomed again she who loved you would have naught

Plunging into the dense brake of reeds, through which he glided like a polecat, Dick led them over ground

whereon, save in times of hard frost, no man could tread, heading toward the river bank. For two hundred

paces or more they went thus, till, quite near to the lip of the stream, they came to a patch of reeds higher and

thicker than the rest, in the centre of 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 dweller had lived upon this mound, or been

buried in it. At any rate, on its southern side, hidden by reeds and a withered willow, was a cavity of which

the mouth could not be seen that might have been a chamber for the living or the dead.

"None will find us here," he said as he lifted up the reeds behind them, "unless they chance to have hounds,

For a while Hugh and Eve heard nothing, but Grey Dick's ears were sharper than theirs, quick as these might

be. About half a minute later, however, they caught the sound of horses' hoofs ringing on the hard earth,

Two of the speakers appeared and pulled up their horses near by in a dry hollow that lay between them and

the river bank. Peeping between the reeds that grew about the mouth of the earthdwelling, Eve saw them.

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

Peering through the stems of the undergrowth, set as it were in a little frame against the red and ominous sky,

the eyes of Hugh de Cressi fell upon Sir Edmund Acour, a gallant, even a splendidlooking knightthat was

his first impression of him. Broad shouldered, graceful, in age neither young nor old, clean featured, quick

eyed, with a mobile mouth and a little, squarecut beard, soft and languid voiced, black haired, richly dressed

Staring at Acour, and remembering that he, too, loved Red Eve, Hugh grew suddenly ashamed. How could a

mere merchant compare himself with this magnificent lord, this highbred, manytitled favourite of courts

and of fortune? How could he rival him, he who had never yet travelled a hundred miles from the place where

he was born, save once, when he sailed on a trading voyage to Calais? As well might a hooded crow try to

match a peregrine that swooped to snatch away the dove from beneath its claws. Yes, he, Hugh, was the grey

crow, Eve was the dove whom he had captured, and yonder shiftyeyed Count was the fleet, fierce peregrine

who soon would tear out his heart and bear the quarry far away. Hugh shivered 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 by love and peril, guessed its purport. She said

nothing, for words were dangerous; only turning her beautiful face she pressed her lips upon her 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 with you, said that kiss. Have no fear; in life or in death none shall divide us. He looked at her

with grateful eyes, and would have spoken had she not placed her hand upon his mouth and pointed.

"Well, we do not find your beautiful runaway, Sir John," he said, in a clear and cultivated voice; "and

although I am not vain, for my part I cannot believe that she has come to such a place as this to meet a

"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 give warning you will find out when she is your wife. For years she has set her fancy

upon Hugh de Cressi; yes, since they were boy and girl together, as I think, and while he lives I doubt she'll

"While he livesthen why should he continue to live, Sir John?" asked the Count indifferently. "Surely the

"The de Cressis are my kin, although I hate them, Sir Edmund. Also they are rich and powerful, and have

many friends in high places. If this young man died by my command it would start a blood feud of which

"Then, Sir John, he shall die by mine. No, not at my own hands, since I do not fight with traders. But I have

those about me who are pretty swordsmen and know how to pick a quarrel. Before a week is out there will be

"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. Name of God! what an accursed and

illomened spot is this. I feel as though I were standing by my own graveit came upon me suddenly." And

"To those who talk of death, death often draws near," replied Clavering, crossing himself, "though I find the

"Do youdo you, Sir John? Look at that sky; look at the river beneath which has turned to blood. Hark to

the howl of the wind in the reeds and the cry of the birds we cannot see. Ay, and look at our shadows on the

snow. Mine lies flat by a great hole, and yours rising against yonder bank is that of a hooded man with

hollow eyesDeath himself as I should limn him! There, it is gone! What a fool am I, or how strong is that

"Nay, here comes my son with tidings. Well, Jack, have you found your sister?" he added, addressing a dark

and somewhat saturnine young man who now rode up to them from over the crest of the hollow.

"No, sir, though we have beat the marsh through and through, so that scarce an otter could have escaped us.

And yet she's here, for Thomas of Kessland caught sight of her red cloak among the reeds, and what's more,

"I am glad there's a third," said Sir John drily, "though God save me from his arrows! This Grey Dick," he

added to the Count, "is a wild, homeless halfwit whom they call Hugh de Cressi's shadow, but the finest

archer in Suffolk, with Norfolk thrown in; one who can put a shaft through every button on your doublet at

fifty pacesay, and bring down wild geese on the wing twice out of four times, for I have seen him do it

"Indeed? Then I should like to see him shootat somebody else," answered Acour, for in those days such

skill was of interest to all soldiers. "Kill Hugh de Cressi if you will, friend, but spare Grey Dick; he might be

"Ay, Sir Edmund," broke in the young man furiously, "I'll kill him if I can 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 hang what's left of him upon the nearest tree to be a

"I note the challenge," said Sir Edmund, "and should the chance come my way will keep the lists for you with

pleasure, since whatever this Hugh may be I doubt that from his blood he'll prove no coward. But, young sir,

you must catch your puppy ere you hang him, and if he is in this marsh 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

"Fired the reeds," he said with a savage laugh, "and set men to watch that the game does not break back. Oh,

have no fear, father! Red Eve will take no harm. The girl ever loved fire. Moreover, if she is there she will

"Fool," thundered Sir John, "do you know your sister so little? As like as not she'll stay and burn, and then I'll

lose my girl, who, when all is said, is worth ten of you! Well, what is done cannot be undone, but if death

comes of this mad trick it is on your head, not mine! To the bank, and watch with me, Sir Edmund, for we

Ten minutes later, and the fugitives in the mound, peeping out from their hole, saw clouds of smoke floating

"You should have let me shoot, Master Hugh," said Grey Dick, in his hard, dry whisper. "I'd have had these

three, at least, and they'd have been good company on the road to hell, which now we must walk alone."

"Nay," answered Hugh sternly, "I'll murder none, though they strive to murder us, and these least of all," and

he glanced at Eve, who sat staring out of the mouth of the hole, her chin resting on her hand. "You had best

give in, sweetheart," he said hoarsely. "Fire is worse than foes, and it draws near."

"I fear it less," she answered. "Moreover, marriage is worse than eithersometimes."

"This place will burn like tinder," he said, pointing to the dry reeds which grew thickly all about them, and to

the masses of brushwood and other rubbish that had drifted against the side of the little mound in times of

"Ay," answered Dick, "like old witch Sarah when they burned her in her house. She screeched a lot, though

"The pools are frozen. Moreover, as well die of heat as cold; I love not icewater."

"You'll not take the best, masterto loose my bow upon them. That fine fellow did well to be afraid, for had

you not knocked up my hand there'd be an arrow sticking in his throat by now. He was right, Death walked

"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. The Lady Eve can swim like a duck, and so can you. The tide has turned, and

will bear you to the point, and I'll hold the bank against any who try to follow, and take my chance. What say

"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 no more breath, Hugh. I'll not yield and go home like a naughty child to be

married. It was you who snatched away Grey Dick's shaft, not I; and now I'll save myself."

"Red Eve!that's Red Eve!" muttered the henchman, with a dry chuckle of admiration. "The dead trouble

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

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

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

As he spoke, suddenly in the broad belt of reeds which lay between them and the river bank fire appeared in

several places, caused doubtless by the flaming flakes which the strong wind had carried from behind the

mound. Moreover, these new fires, burning up briskly and joining themselves together, began to advance

"The wind has turned," said Dick. "Now it is fire, or water if you can get there. How do you choose to die?"

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

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

They sprang to their feet and forward into the reeds. When they were almost at the edge of the fire a shout

told them that they had been seen. Eve, the swift of foot, outpaced Hugh, and was the first to leap into that

circle of tall flames. She was through it! They were all through it, scorched but unharmed. Thirty paces away

was the little point of land where nothing grew, for the spring tides washed it, that jutted out into the waters

of the Blythe, and, perhaps a hundred to their right, the Claverings poured down on them, foot and horse

Hugh caught his foot in a willow root and fell. Eve and Grey Dick sped onward unknowing. They reached the

point above the water, turned, and saw. Dick slipped his bow from its case, strung it, and set an arrow on the

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 was very strong, and shook himself free. Then he drew the short and heavy

sword that he wore, and, shouting out, "Make way!" to those who stood between him and the little

These opened to the right and left to let him pass, for they feared the look 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 push past him,

At the insult of the blow and words, Hugh stopped dead and turned quite white, whereupon the men, thinking

that he was afraid, closed in upon him. Then in the silence the harsh, croaking voice of Grey Dick was heard

"Sir John of Clavering, bid your people let my master go, or I will send an arrow through your heart!" and he

Sir John muttered something, thinking that this was a poor way to die, and again the men fell back, except

This man stretched out his hand to seize Hugh, but before ever it fell upon his shoulder the bow twanged and

Acour's retainer was seen whirling round and round, cursing with pain. In the palm of his hand was an arrow

"You are right; that knave shoots well," said the Count to Sir John, who made 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

"John Clavering," he said, addressing the young man, "just now, when I lay hid in yonder hole, I heard you

say that if you had five minutes with me alone you'd beat me to a pulp and hang what was left of me on the

nearest tree. Well, here I stand, and there's a tree. Having first tried to burn me and your sister, you have

struck me in the face. Will you make good your words, or shall I strike you in the face and go my way? Nay,

Now a tumult rose, some saying one thing and some another, but all keeping an eye upon Grey Dick and his

bent bow. At last Sir Edmund Acour rode forward, and in his polished, stately way said to John:

"Young sir, this merchant is in the right, and whatever his trade may be, his blood is as good as your own.

After your brave words, either you should fight him or take back the blow you gave."

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

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

"You should have asked that before you struck him in the face," replied the knight. "You are a man grown.

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

"Brother John, if you fight your cousin Hugh, who is my affianced husband, and fall, on your own head be it,

for know, your blood shall not stand between him and me, since it was you who struck him, and not he you.

Be warned, John, and let him go, lest he should send you farther than you wish to travel. And to you, Hugh, I

say, though it is much to ask, if he throws down his sword, forget that unknightly blow and come thither."

"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, womanthief, and seek to live that you

"John, John, boast not," cried Eve. "Who has shown you where you will sleep tonight?"

"Whether I shall live or die, God knows alone," said Hugh solemnly. "But what I seek to know is, should it

chance to be your lot to die, whether your people or this Frenchman will set on me, or raise a bloodfeud

"If you kill my son in combat � outrance, he being the challenger," answered the knight, "none shall lift hand

against you for that deed if I can hold them back. But know that I have other cause of quarrel against

you"and he pointed to his daughter"and that if you meddle more with her, who is not for you, certainly

"And, young sir," broke in Sir Edmund, "I pray you to understand that this Lady Eve tomorrow becomes my

wife with the will of her father and her kin; and that if you try to stand between us, although I may not fight

you, seeing what I am and what you are, I'll kill you like a rat when and where I get the chance! Yes," he

added, in a savage snarl, "I pledge my knightly honour that I will kill you like a rat, if I must follow you

"You will not have need to travel far if I have my will," answered the young man sternly, "since Red Eve is

mine, not yours, and, living or dead, mine she will remain. As for your fine knightly honour, Sir Edmund

Acour, Count de Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, what has a traitor to his King to do with honour, one who is

here as a spy of Philip of France, as the 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 so many enemies, let me begin with a

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

"What say you to this, Sir Edmund?" shouted Sir John Clavering above them all. "You are a great lord and a

wealthy, beloved by me also as the affianced of my daughter, but I am a loyal Englishman who have no truck

"What say I?" asked Sir Edmund calmly. "I say that if this fellow can fight 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 to learn

what strength his Grace of England, my liege lord, gathers for the new war with Philip."

"Enough," said Sir John; "though this is the first I have heard of such a war, for it would seem that you know

more of King Edward's mind than I do. The light begins to fail, there is no time for talk. Stand clear, all men,

"Ay," croaked Grey Dick, "stand clear, all men, while my master cuts the throat of his cousin Clavering, since

he who stands not clear shall presently lie straight!" and he tapped his terrible bow with his right hand, then

The two were face to face. Round them on horse and on foot, at a distance perhaps of twenty paces, were

gathered the Clavering men and the French Count's troop; for now all had come up from the far parts of the

marsh. Only toward the river side the ring was open, whether because those who made it feared Grey Dick's

The pair were well matched, for though Hugh was the taller, John, his senior by a year, was thicker set and

better trained in arms. But the sword of John was longer by a hand's breadth than that Hugh carried as a

merchant, which was heavy, of such a make as the ancient Romans used, and sharpened on either edge.

Neither of them wore armour, since Hugh had 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, the red light of the stormy sunset striking

across them both. Everything was red, the smokeclouds rising from the sullen, burning marsh, into which

the fire was still eating far away; the waters of the Blythe brimful with the tide that had just turned toward the

sea, the snow and ice itself. Even the triangle of wild swans brought by the hard weather from the northern

lands looked red as they pursued their heavy and majestic flight toward the south, heedless of man and his

Not long did these remain heedless, however, since, either to show his skill or for some other purpose of his

own, Grey Dick lifted his bow and loosed an arrow, almost, it seemed, at hazard. Yet that arrow pierced the

leader of the flock, so that down it came in wide circles, and in a last struggle hovered for a moment over the

group of men, then fell among them with a thud, the blood from its pierced breast bespattering Sir Edmund

"An ill omen for those two, and especially for him who wears a white swan for a crest," said a voice. But at

the moment none took much notice, except Grey Dick, who chuckled at the success of his shot, since all were

"The first home thrust wins," whispered Acour to him, as he wiped the blood of the swan off his sleeve.

Perhaps the pair heard this whisper, or, perhaps, being without mail, they knew that it was so. At least for a

Then at length John Clavering rushed in and thrust. Hugh sprang back before his point. Again he rushed and

thrust and again Hugh sprang back. A third time and Hugh fairly ran, whereon a shout went up from the

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

"Ay," answered Dick the Archer, "it's true that he draws him to the river bank! Those who wait will learn

As he spoke, Hugh, in his retreat before another of John Clavering's rushes, struck his foot against the great

As the words left his lips Clavering fell sprawling on his back, for Hugh had caught his leg with his left arm

"Now goodnight, John," said Dick, with his hoarse chuckle. "Throat him, masterthroat him!"

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

"Nay," answered Clavering. Then suddenly Hugh rose and suffered his adversary 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

Next instant they were at it again, but this time it was Hugh who attacked and John who gave back right to

The swords flashed for the last time in the red light, then that of de Cressi vanished. Clavering threw his arms

wide, and fell backward. A splash 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

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

Now Hugh understood, and ran for the point of land. One man, a Frenchman, got in front of him. He cut him

He did not answer, only pointed first to the Clavering folk and next to the water, showing that she must

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

"I remember that he would have slain you," she answered; and leapt straight from the point into the icy flood,

When it rose again there was another head beside it, that of dead John, who appeared for one moment, to be

Now Hugh leapt after her, and presently the pair of them were swimming side by side to the river's further

shore. Then, as now, it was but a narrow stream. Yet they did not reach it easily, for, cumbered as they were

with clothes, and numbed by the icecold water, the fierce tide caught them and carried them beyond the

bend. There they were lost in the gathering darkness, so that most of those who watched believed that they

had sunk and drowned. But it was not so, for after a long struggle they came safe to shore near to a clump of

"You have missed out love and death," answered the girl"a full feast for a day that is not done. But whither

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

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

Now night closed in, and the snow which had been threatening all day began to fall, making their path over

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

"More to the left, master, more to the left, unless you would make your peace on Blythburgh bridge, where

"Not well. I shot thrice and slew three men, two of the French knights, and Thomas of Kessland, against

"The Frenchman who means to marry you. When the others fell back he came at me on his horse as I was

setting a fresh arrow, thinking to get me. I had to shoot quick, and aimed low for his heart, because in that

light I could not make certain of his face. He saw, and jerked up the horses head, so that the shaft took it in

the throat and killed the beast without hurting its rider. He was off in an instant and at me, with others, before

I could draw again. So I thought it time to go, which I did, backward, as he thrust. Perhaps he thinks he killed

me, as I meant he should, only when he looks at his sword he'll find it clean. That's all."

None were abroad in the streets of Dunwich on that bitter winter night when these three trudged wearily

down Middlegate Street through the driving 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 be seen in any of the houses round about,

"'Tis Father Arnold's room," said Eve. "He sits there at his books. I'll knock and call him, but do you two go

lay hold of the ring of the church door," and she nodded toward a grey pile that stood near by. "Then none

"I'll go no step further," answered Hugh sullenly. "All this Temple ground is sanctuary, or at least we will risk

The light in the window vanished, and presently they heard a sound of creaking bolts. Then the door opened,

revealing a tall man, white bearded, ancient, and clad in a frayed, furred robe worn over a priest's cassock,

"Ay, Father Andrew," answered Hugh, "souls have passed, and souls are near to passing. Let us in, and we

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

"Yes," she answered calmly, though her teeth chattered; "Eve of Clavering, Eve the Red, this time with the

blood of men, soaked with the waters of the Blythe, frozen with the snows of Dunwich Heath, where she has

lain hid for hours with a furze bush for shelter. Eve who seeks shriving, a dry rag for her back, a morsel for

her lips, and fire to warm her, which in the Name of Christ and of charity she prays you will not refuse to

Almost before she had finished her wild words the old man, who looked what he was, a knight arrayed in

priestly robes, had run to a door at the end of the hall and was calling through it, "Mother Agnes! Mother

"Be not so hasty, Sir Andrew," answered a shrill voice. "A posset must have time to boil. It is meet now that

you wear a tonsure that you who are no longer a centurion should forget these 'Come, and he cometh,' ways.

The rest of that speech was lost, for Father Arnold, muttering some word belonging to his "centurion" days,

dived into the kitchen, to reappear presently dragging a little withered old woman after him who was dressed

"Peace, Mother Agnes, peace!" he said. "Take this lady, dry her, array her in your best gown, give her food,

warm her, and bring her back to me. Short? What care I if the robe be short? Obey, or it will not be come, and

he cometh, but go and she goeth, and then who will shelter one who talks so much?"

He thrust the pair of them through the kitchen door and, returning, led Hugh and Grey Dick up a broad oak

It was a very great chamber where, before their Order was dispersed, all the Knights Templar had been wont

to dine with those who visited them at times of festival. Tattered banners still hung among the cobwebs of the

ancient roof, the shields of past masters with stately blazonings were carved in stone upon the walls. But of

all this departed splendour but little could be seen, since the place was lit only by a single lamp of whale's oil

and a fire that burned upon the wide stone hearth, a great fire, since Father Arnold, who had spent many years

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

"Shot a good horse and three bad men dead with arrowsat least they should be deadand another through

"A gallantI meanan evil deed," broke in the old warrior priest, "though once it happened to me in a

place called Damascusbut you both are wet, also. Come into my chamber; I can furnish you with garments

of a sort. And, Richard, set that black bow of yours near the fire, but not too 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 will lock the

Half an hour was gone by, and a very strange company had gathered round the big fire in the guestchamber

of the Temple, eating with appetite of such food as its scanty larder could provide for them. First there was

Red Eve in a woollen garment, the Sunday wear of Mother Agnes for twenty years past and more, which

reached but little below her knees, and was shaped like a sack. On her feet were no shoes, and for sole

adornment her curling black hair fell about her shoulders, for so she had arranged it because the gown would

not meet across her bosom. Yet, odd as it might be, in this costume Eve looked wonderfully beautiful,

perhaps because it was so scant and the leathern strap about her waist caused it to cling close to her shapely

By her stood Hugh, wearing a splendid suit of chain armour. It had been Sir Andrew Arnold's in his warlike

years, and now he lent it to his godson Hugh because, as he said, he had nothing else. Also, it may have

crossed the minds of both of them that such mail as this which the Saracens had forged, if somewhat out of

Then there was Grey Dick, whose garments seemed to consist of a sack with holes in it tied round him with a

rope, his quiver of arrows slung over it for ornament. He sat by the fire on a stool, oiling his black bow with a

"I have known strange and dreadful stories in my time," he said, "but never, I think, one stranger or more

"Take sanctuary for myself and Grey Dick because of the slaying of John Clavering and others, and afterward

"Be married to the sister with the brother's blood upon your hands without absolution from the Church or

pardon from the King; and you but a merchant's younger son and she tonight one of the greatest heiresses in

"I blame him not," broke in Eve. "John, whom I never loved, strove to smoke us out like rats because he was

in the pay of the Norman, my Lord of Acour. John struck Hugh in the face with his hand and slandered him

with his tongue. John was given his life once, and afterwards slain in fair fight. Oh, I say, I blame him not,

"Yet the world will blame him, and you, too, Eve; yes, even those who love you both. A while must go by,

say a year. At least I'll not marry you at once, and cannot, if I would, with both your fathers living and

unadvised, and the sheriff waiting at the gate. Tell me now, do any know that you have entered here?"

"Nay," said Dick, looking up from his bow. "The hunt came after us, but I hid these two in a bush and led it

away past Hinton to the Ipswich road, 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 have come to Dunwich for a while."

"And when they do even the boldest will not enter this holy sanctuary while the Church has terrors for men's

souls. Yet, here you must not stay for long, lest in this way or in that your lives pay the price of it, or a bloody

feud break out between the Claverings of Blythburgh and the de Cressis of Dunwich. Daughter Eve, get you

to bed with old Agnes. You are so weary that you will not mind her snores. Tomorrow ere the dawn I'll talk

with you, and, meanwhile, I have words for Hugh. Nay, have no fear, the windows are all barred, and Archer

Eve went, unwillingly enough, although she could scarcely walk, flashing a goodnight to her lover with her

fine eyes. Presently Grey Dick also went to sleep, like a dog with one eye open, in the little antechamber,

"Now, Hugh," said Father Arnold, when they were left alone, "your case is desperate, for if you stay here

certainly these Claverings will have your blood. Yet, if you can be got away safely, there is still a shaft that

you may shoot more deadly than any that ever left Grey Dick's quiver. But yesterday I told you for your

comfortwhen we spoke of his wooing of Red Evethat this Norman, for such he is, although his mother

was English and he was English born, is a traitor to King Edward, whom he pretends to serve."

"Ay, and I said as much to him this afternoon when he prated to me of his knightly honour, and, though I had

no time to take note of faces, I thought 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 no heed. At least the words are said, and

there's an end. Now hearken. I told neither you nor any one all the blackness of his treachery. Have you

"More than that"and he dropped his voice to a whisper"spy out a safe landingplace for fifty thousand

Normans upon our Suffolk coast. They are to sail hither this coming summer and set the crown of England

upon their Duke John, who will hold it as vassal to his sire, Philip of France."

"Ay, though in such a devil's business that Name is best left out. Look you, lad, I had warning from overseas,

where, although I am now nothing but a poor old priest of a broken Order, I still have friends in high places.

Therefore I watched and found that messengers were passing between Acour and France. One of these

messengers, a priest, came a week ago to Dunwich, and spent the night in a tavern waiting for his ship to sail

in the morning. The good wife who keeps that tavernask not her namewould 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, and another

without writing sewn there in place of it, so that he'll never know the difference till he reaches John of

Normandy, and then not where he lost it. Stay, you shall see," and he went to the wall and from some secret

place behind the hangings produced a writing, which he handed to Hugh, who looked at it, then gave it back

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

This by a faithful hand that you know to tell you all goes well with your Grace's business, and with that of

your royal father. While pretending to hunt or hawk I have found three places along this seaboard at any one

of which the army can land next summer with little resistance to fear, for though the land is rich in cattle and

These places of which I have made survey have deep water up to the beach. I will tell you of them more

particularly when I return. Meanwhile I linger here for sundry reasons, which you know, hoping to draw

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 the others, so that they are bitter against him, and ready to listen to the

As an excuse for my long stay that has caused doubts in some quarters, I speak of my Suffolk lands which

need my care. Also I court the daughter of my host here, the Knight of Clavering, a stubborn Englishman

who cannot be won, but a man of great power and repute. This courtship, which began in jest, has ended in

earnest, since the girl is very haughty 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,

I thank your Grace for the promise of the wide English lands of which I spoke to you, and the title that goes

with them. These I will do my best to earn, nor will I ask for them till I kneel before you when you are

crowned King of England at Westminster, as I doubt not God will bring about before this year is out. I have

made a map of the road by which your army should march on London after landing, and of the towns to be

sacked upon the way thither. This, however, I keep, since although not one in ten thousand of these English

swine can read French, or any other tongue, should it chance to be lost, all can understand a map. Not that

there is any fear of loss, for who will meddle with a priest who carries credentials signed by his Holiness

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

"Most men are, my son, in this way or in that, and the few wise profit by their folly. Thus this letter, which he

thought so safe, will save England to Edward and his race, you from many dangers, your betrothed from a

marriage which she hatesthat is, if you can get safe away with it from Dunwich."

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

"But is it safe, Father, to trust so precious a thing to me, who have bitter enemies awaiting me, and may as

"I think the crow's not hatched that will pick your bones, Hugh, though at the last there be crows, or worms,

"Why not, Father? Doubtless, this morning young John of Clavering thought as much, and now he is in the

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

"He'll think me mad!" muttered the old priest to himself, then went on 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 been heard by no

"Far in the East is the great country that we call Cathay, though in truth it has many other names, and I alone

"How did you get there?" asked Hugh, amazed, for though he knew dimly that Father Arnold had travelled

much in his youth, he never dreamed that he had reached the mystic territories of Cathay, or indeed that such

"It would take from now till morning to tell, son, nor even then would you understand the road. It is enough

to say that I went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where our blessed Saviour died. That was the beginning.

Thence I travelled with Arabs to the Red Sea, where wild men made a slave of me, and we were blown across

the Indian Ocean to a beauteous island named Ceylon, in which all the folk are black.

"From this place I escaped in a vessel called a junk, that brought me to the town of Singapore. Thence at last,

following my star, I came to Cathay after two years of journeyings. There I dwelt in honour for three more

years, moving from place to place, since never before had its inhabitants seen a Western man, and they made

much of me, always sending me forward to new cities. So at length I reached the greatest of them all, which

"All the story of my life and adventures yonder I have written down, and any who will may read it after I am

dead. But of these I have no time to speak, nor have they anything to do with you. Whilst I dwelt in

Kambaluc as the guest of the Emperor Timur, I made study of the religion of this mighty people, who, I was

told, worshipped gods in the shape of men. I visited a shrine called the Temple of Heaven, hoping that there I

should see such a god who was named Tien, but found in it nothing but splendid emptiness.

"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, but he 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 to the house of Murgh and let him see whether his God could protect him against Murgh.'

Having said this he bade me farewell, adding that though every man must meet Murgh once, few met him

"Now, in my heart I grew afraid, but none would tell me more of this Murgh or what was likely to happen to

me at his hands. Still, I would not show any fear, and, strong in the faith of Christ, I determined to look upon

"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 great graveyards, where people were burying their dead. At the foot of the hill

they set me down upon a road, and told me to walk up it, and that at dawn I should see the House of Murgh,

whereof the gates were always open, and could enter there if I wished. I asked if they would wait for my

return, whereon they answered, smiling, that if I so desired they would do so till evening, but that it seemed

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

"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, I could see was a great and frowning gateway, whereof the doors appeared to be open.

Now, at first I thought I would pass this gateway at once and see what lay beyond. But from this I was held

back by some great fear, for which I could find no cause, unless it were bred of what the Emperor and his

servants had said to me. So I remembered their words namely, that I should tarry till dawn to enter the

"There, then, I tarried, seated on the ground before the gateway, and feeling as though, yet alive, I had

descended among the dead. Indeed, the silence was that of the dead. No voice spoke, no hound barked, no

leaf stirred. Only far above me I heard a continual soughing, as though winged souls passed to and fro. Never

"At length the dawn broke, and oh, glad was I to see its light, for fear lest I should die in darkness! Now I saw

that I was on a hilltop where grew great groves of cedar trees, and that set amid them was a blacktiled

"It was not a great place, although the gateway, which was surmounted by two black dragons of stone or iron,

was very great, so great that a tall ship could have sailed through it and left its arch untouched.

"I kneeled down and prayed to the blessed Saints and the guardian angels to protect me. Then I arose, crossed

myself to scare off all evil things by 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 that broad road, travelling toward the

awful, dragon guarded arch, beyond which lay I knew not what, it seemed to me that I was the only man left

"I passed into the cold shadow of the gateway, unchallenged by any watchman, and found myself in a

courtyard surrounded by a wall also built of black brick, which had doors in it that seemed to be of dark stone

or iron. Whither these doors led I do not know, since the wall cut off the sight of any buildings that may have

lain beyond. In the centre of this courtyard was a pool of still, black water, and at the head of the pool a chair

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

"Ay, son, the plainest temple that ever I saw, who have seen many in all lands, though what was beyond it I

do not know. And yetterrible, terrible, terrible!I tell you that those black walls and that black water were

more fearsome to look on than any churchyard vault grim with bones, or a torturepit where victims quiver

out their souls midst shrieks and groanings. And yet I could see nothing of which to be afraid, and hear

nothing save that soughing of invisible wings whereof I have 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 pray once more, this time to the blessed Saviour himself, since I

"When I looked up again the chair was no longer empty. Hugh, a man sat in it, of whom I thought at first only

one thingthat he must be very strong, though not bigger than other men. Strength seemed to flow from

him. I should not have wondered if he had placed his hands upon the massive sides of that stone chair and

"I never saw either, son, so cannot say. But what was he like? Oh, I cannot say that either, although still I see

him in my heart. My mortal lips will not tell the likeness of that man, perhaps because he seemed to be like

all men, and yet different from all. He had an iron brow, beneath which shone deep, cold eyes. He was

cleanshaven, or perchance his face grew no hair. His lips were thick and still and his features did not change

like those of other men. He looked as though he could not change; as though he had been thus for infinite

ages, and yet remained neither 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 are sometimes found of that colour in the East. He had no

"For a long while I watched him, but if he saw me he took no note. As I watched I perceived that birds were

coming to and leaving him in countless numbers, and thought that it must be their wings which made the

"I am not sure, but I think doves; at least, their flight was straight and 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 they appeared out of

nothingness. They were of two colours, snowwhite and coalblack. The white appeared upon his right side,

the black upon his left side. Each bird in those neverceasing streams hovered for an instant by his head, the

white over his right shoulder, the black over his left shoulder, as though they whispered a message to his ear,

"How can I know, as no one ever told me? Yet I will hazard a guess that it had to do with the mystery of life

and death. Souls that were born into the world, and souls departing from the world, perchance, making report

to one of God's ministers clothed in flesh. But who can say? At least I watched those magic fowls till my eyes

"How long I stayed thus I do not remember, for I had lost all sense of time. In the end, however, I was

awakened by a cold, soft voice, the sound of which seemed to flow through my veins like ice, that addressed

me in our own rough English tongue, spoken as you and I learned it at our nurses' knees.

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

"He lifted his cold eyes and looked at me, and I felt them pierce into the depths of my soul. 'In the same way

that I know your heart,' he said. 'But do not ask questions. Answer them, that I may learn whether you are a

"'A great God, Andrew Arnold, and a pure, though His followers are few in the world as yet. But do you

"'He can save my soul,' I replied, plucking up courage, who would not deny the Lord even in a devil's den.

"'Ah! your soul. Well, I have nothing to do with souls, except to count them as they pass through my

dominion, and you are quite right to pray to one of the lords of that into which you go. Now, man, what is

your business with me, and why do you visit one of whom you are so much afraid?'

"'So they have told you my name? Now I will tell you one of its meanings. It is "Gate of the Gods." Why did

you dare to visit Gate of the Gods? You fear to answer. Listen! You came forth to see some painted idol, or

some bedizened priest muttering rites he does not understand to that which is not; and lo! you have found that

which is behind all idols and all priests. You sought an incensed and a golden shrine and you have found only

the black and iron portals which every man must pass but which few desire to enter until they are called.

Well, you are young and strong, come try a fall with Murgh, and when he has thrown you, rise and choose

which of those ways you will,' and he swept his hand toward the doors around him. 'Then forget this world

"Now, because I could not help myself, I rose from my knees and advanced, or was drawn toward that

dreadful man. As I came he, too, rose from his chair, stretching out his arms as a wrestler does, and I knew

that within the circle of those arms lay my death. Still I, who in my youth was held brave, went on and

rushed, striving to clasp him. Next moment, before ever I touched himoh, well was it for me that I touched

him not!some strength seized me and whirled me round and round as a dead leaf is whirled by the wind,

"So I rose, and felt even then that I who thought that every bone in my body must be broken, was stronger

than I had ever been before. It was as though the lamp which had burnt low was filled suddenly with a new

"'Man,' said mine adversary, and I thought that in his cold eyes there was something like a smile, 'did you

think to touch Murgh and live? Did you think to wrestle with him as in a book of one of your prophets a

certain Jacob wrestled with an angel, and conquereduntil it was his turn to pass the Gate of the Gods?'

"Now I stared at this dweller in Cathay, who spoke my tongue and knew the tale of Jacob in the ancient

"'Sir Murgh, or Sir Gate, or whatever your name may be, I thought to do nothing. You drew me to you, you

challenged me and, since by the rule of 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 cast down by a wind. That is all the story,

save that it has pleased you to let 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 you

will meet him again, as all flesh must when its hour comes, and because you are bold and have not cringed

before my strength, for your comfort I will show you when and how. Stand by me, but lay no hand on me or

my robe, and look into my glass while for a moment, for your sake, I stay the stream of time and show you

"He waved his arms and the black doves and the white doves ceased to appear and disappear, and the eternal

soughings of their wings was silent. 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 were solid ground that their feet pressed. You were one of them, son, you were one of them,"

and the old knight paused, supporting himself against the mantelshelf as though that recollection overcame

"By God's holy name, I saw the Blythburgh Marshes deep in snow that was red, bloodred with the light of

sunrise. Oh! I could not be mistook, and there ran the wintry river, there the church tower soared, there were

the frowning, treeclad banks. There was the rough moorland over which the east wind piped, for the dead

bracken bent before it, and not twenty paces from me leaped a hare, disturbed suddenly from its form by a

hungry fox, whose red head peeped through the reeds. Yes, yes, I saw the brute's white teeth gleam as it

licked its disappointed lips, and I 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 hungry fox, and by these judge my truth."

"A fox and a hare!" broke in Hugh. "I'd show you such tomorrow; was there no more?"

"Ay, much. For instance, a hollow in the Marsh, an open grave, and an axe; yes, an axe that had delved it

where the bog was soft beneath the snow. 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 one in a dream. Then at the head of the grave

an old, old man clad in mail beneath his priestly robes, and that man myself, Hugh, grown very ancient, but

"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 crest upon your shield. You with drawn sword in hand, and facing you, also with

drawn sword, rage and despair on his dark face, a stately, foreignlooking man, whom mine eyes have never

seen, but whom I should know again midst a million, a man who, I think, was doomed to fill the grave.

"Lastly, standing on a little mound near to the bank of the swirling river, where jagged sheets of ice ground

against each other like the teeth of the wicked in hell, strangely capped and clad in black, his arms crossed

upon his breast and a light smile in his cold eyes, he who was called Murgh in Cathay, he who named himself

"For a moment I saw, then all was gone, and I found myselfI know not whywalking toward the mighty

arch whereon sat the iron dragons. In its shadow I turned and looked back. There at the head of the pool the

man was seated in his chair, and to right and to left of him came the black doves and the white doves in

countless multitudes, all the thousands of them that had been stayed in their flight pouring down upon him at

onceor so I thought. They wheeled about his head, they hid his face from me, and II departed into the

The tale was done, and these two stood staring at one another from each side of the glowing hearth, whose

red light illumined their faces. At length the heavy silence was broken by Sir Andrew.

"I read your heart, Hugh," he said, "as Murgh read mine, for I think that 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 walk

unharmed by many a pit. I read your heart, and in its book is written that you think me mad, one who pleases

his old age with tales of marvel that others told him, or which his own brain fashioned."

"Not so, Father," answered Hugh uneasily, for in truth some such thoughts were passing through his mind.

"Onlyonly the thing is very strange, and it happened so long ago, before Eve and I were born, before those

"Yes; more than fifty years agoit may be sixtyI forget. In sixty years the memory plays strange tricks

with men, no doubt, so how can I blame you if you believewhat you do believe? And yet, Hugh," he went

on after a pause, and speaking with passion, "this was no dream of which I tell you. Why do you suppose that

among all those that have grown up about me I have chosen you out to love, you and your Eve? Not because

a chance made me your godsire and her my pupil. I say that from your infancy your faces haunted me. Ay,

and when you had turned childhood's corner and once I met the pair of you walking hand in hand, then of a

sudden I knew that it was you two and no others whom that god or devil had showed to me standing by the

open grave upon the banks of Blythe. I knew it of Dick the Archer also, and can I be mistaken of such a man

as that who has no fellow in England? But you think I dreamed it all, and perhaps I should not have spoken,

though something made me speak. Well, in a day to come you may change your mind, since whatever

dangers threaten you will not die yet, Hugh. Tell me now, what is this Frenchman like who would marry

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

"Ah!" said Sir Andrew. "Much such a man as stood face to face with you by 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 and

now you are wondering how he who is called Gate of the Gods in Cathay could come to Blythburgh. Well, I

think that all the world is his garden, given to him by God, but doubtless that's only another face of my dream

whereof we'll speak no moreat present. Now for your troubles, which are no dream. Lie you down to sleep

on the skin of that striped beast. I killed it in Cathayin my day of dreams, and now it shall serve for yours,

from which may the dead eyes of John Clavering be absent! 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, he showed him a certain secret place large enough to hold a

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 he had gone through that day or even the old warriorpriest's marvellous tale, in

which he and Eve played so wonderful a part, could keep his eyes from closing. Presently he was fast asleep,

and so remained until, four hours later, something disturbed him, and he awoke to see Sir Andrew writing at a

"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 by daybreak and keep a whole skin. I have set a taper in my sleeping closet

yonder, and there you'll find water to wash with and a stool to kneel on for your prayers, neither of which

So Hugh arose, yawning, and stumbled heavily to the chamber, for he was still faint with sleep, which would

not leave him till he had plunged his head into a basin of icy water. This done, he knelt and prayed as he had

been bidden, with a very earnest heart, and afterward came back to the guesthall.

Seeing folk gathered there as he entered he laid hand on sword, not his own with which he had killed his

cousin, but a long and knightly weapon that Sir Andrew had given him with the armour. Drawing it, he

advanced boldly, for he thought that his enemies might have found him out, and that his best safety lay in

courage. Thus he appeared in the ring of the lamplight clad in gleaming steel and with raised weapon.

"What, son!" asked a testy voice which he knew for that of his own father, "is it not enough to have killed

your cousin? Would you fall on your brothers and me also, that you come at us clad in mail and with bare

Hearing these words Hugh sheathed the sword, and, advancing toward the speaker, a handsome, portly man,

"Your pardon, my father," he said. "Sir Andrew here will have told you the story; also that I am not to blame

"I think you need to ask it," replied Master de Cressi, "and if you and that lean henchman of yours are not to

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

"Sir, I am to blame," she said in her full, low voice. "My need was sore and I sent a messenger to Hugh

bidding him meet me in the Blythburgh Marsh. There we were set on, and there John Clavering, my brother,

smote Hugh in the face. Would you, a de Cressi, have had him take the blow and yield me up to the

"By God and my forefathers, no! least of all from one of your stock saving your presence," answered the

merchant. "In truth, had he done so, dead or living from that day I would have called him no son of mine.

Yet, Red Eve, you and he and your lovemakings have brought much trouble on me and my House. Look

now what it means. A feud to the death between our families of which no man can foresee the end. Moreover,

"It is on John's head," she answered sadly, "not on Hugh's hand. I warned him, and Hugh spared him once.

"I know not, Eve; I only know what you have done, you and Hugh and Grey Dick. Four dead and two

wounded, that's the bill I must discharge as best I may. Doubtless too soon there will be more to follow,

whether they be Claverings or de Cressis. Well, we must take things as God sends them, and leave Him to

"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 in hand. Oh! Hugh, Hugh, you were born a fighter, not a merchant like your

brethren," and he pointed to three young men who all this while had stood silently behind him looking upon

their youngest brother with grave disapproval. "Yes, the old Norman blood comes out in you, and the

Norman mail suits you well," he added with a flash of pride, "and so there's an endor a beginning. Now,

"Master de Cressi," said the old priest, "your son Hugh rides to London on an errand of mine which I think

will save his neck from that halter whereof you spoke but now. Are those four mounted men that you

"They will be within an hour, Father, but not before, since six good horses cannot be laid hands on in the

dead of night, being stabled without the gates. But what is this message of yours, and to whom does Hugh

"To his Grace Edward the King, none less, Geoffrey de Cressi, with that which 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 great

matters 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 this mission without these walls. Do you swear, Geoffrey de Cressi, and you,

Then one by one they swore to be secret as the grave; and Eve swore also, though of her he had sought no

promise. When this was finished Sir Andrew asked if any of his brothers accompanied Hugh, saying that if so

"No," answered Master de Cressi, "one of the family is enough to risk as well as four of our best servants. My

sons bide here with me, who may need their help, though they are not trained to arms."

"Perhaps it is as well," said Sir Andrew drily, "though were I their agewell, let that be. Now, son Hugh,

"Nay, nay," broke in Sir Andrew, with a frown; "for a different purpose to that which is in your mind. Man, is

this a time for marrying and giving in marriage? And if it were, could I marry you who are stained with

newshed blood? 'Tis that you both may be absolved from the guilt of that blood and learn the penance which

God decrees to you through the mouth of me, His unworthy minister, in payment of its shedding. Thus you,

son, may go forth upon your great adventure with a clean heart, and you, daughter, may await what shall

Now they bowed their heads and answered that they were, though Eve whispered to Hugh that she

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

They passed down the stairs, followed by Master de Cressi and his sons, into the entrance hall, where Grey

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

"Oh!" he replied, "I hoped it had been to breakfast. As for confession I have naught upon my soul save that I

"Bide where you are, O man of blood," said Sir Andrew sternly: "and pray that a better mood be given to you

"Ay, Father," he answered unabashed. "I'll pray, and it is as well that one should wait to watch the door lest

Turning to the right, Sir Andrew led them down steps to a passage underground that joined the Temple to the

Church of the Holy Virgin and St. John. It was but short, and at the end of it they found a massive door which

he unbolted, and, passing this door, entered the great building, whereof the silence and the icy cold struck

them like blows. They had but two lanterns between them, one of which Master de Cressi and his elder sons

took with them to the nave of the church. Bearing the other, Sir Andrew departed into the vestry, leaving

Presently his light reappeared in the confessional, where he sat robed, and thither at his summons went first

Hugh and then Eve. When their tales were told, those who watched in the nave of the splendid

buildingwhich, reared by the Knights Templar, was already following that great Order to decay and

ruinsaw the star of light he bore ascend to the high altar. Here he set it down, and, advancing to the rail,

"Son and daughter," he said, "you have made confession with contrite hearts, and the Church has given you

absolution for your sins. Yet penance remains, and because those sins, though grievous in themselves, were

not altogether of your own making, it shall be light. Hugh de Cressi and Eve Clavering, who are bound

together by lawful love between man and woman and the solemn oath of betrothal which you here renew

before God, this is the penance that I lay upon you by virtue of the authority in me vested as a priest of

Christ: Because between you runs the blood of John Clavering, the cousin of one of you and the brother of

the other, slain by you, Hugh de Cressi, in mortal combat but yester eve, I decree and enjoin that for a full

year from this day you shall not 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 her command, faithfully, then by my mouth

the Church declares that after the year has gone by you may lawfully be wed where and when you will.

Moreover, she pronounces her solemn blessing on you both and her dreadful curse upon any and upon all

who shall dare to sunder you against your desires, and of this blessing and this curse let all the congregation

Now Hugh and Eve rose and vanished into the darkness. When they had gone the priest celebrated a short

mass, but two or three prayers and a blessing, which done, all of them returned to the Preceptory as they had

Here food was waiting for them, prepared by the old Sister Agnes. It was a 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 be

plentiful, since, shriven or unshriven, it was better to die upon a full stomach.

Master de Cressi called him an impious knave. Then he asked him if he had plenty of arrows, because if not

he would find four dozen of the best that could be made in Norwich done up in a cloak on the grey horse he

"I thank you for the arrows, Master, but as for the bow, I use none but my own, the black bow which the sea

brought to me and death alone shall part from me. Perchance both will be wanted, since the Claverings will

scarcely let us out of the sanctuary if they can help it. Still, it is true they may not know where we lie hid, and

"A pest on your evil talk," said de Cressi with an uneasy laugh, for he loved Hugh best of all his sons and was

afraid of him. "Get through safely, man, and though I like not your grim face and bloody ways you shall lose

little by it. I promise you," he added in a whisper, "that if you bring my boy safe home again, you shall not

want for all your life; ay, and if there is need, I'll pay your bloodscot for you."

"Thank you, master, thank you. I'll remember, and for my part promise you 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."

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

Presently he returned, saying that it was so, and that Master de Cressi's servants were waiting with the beasts

in the courtyard. Also that they brought tidings that some of the Clavering party were now at the Mayor's

house, rousing him from his sleep, doubtless to lay information of the slayings and ask for warrant to take

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

"Ay," answered Sir Andrew. "Here are the papers. Take them, Hugh, and hide them well; and if any accident

should befall you, try to pass them on to Richard that they may be delivered into the King's hands at

Westminster. Say that Sir Andrew Arnold sends you on business that has to do with his Grace's safety, and

neither of you will be refused a hearing. Then act as he may command you, and maybe ere long we shall see

"I think it is the Claverings and their French lord who need pardon, not I," said Hugh. "But be that as it may,

"Fear not for Eve, son, for here she bides in sanctuary until the Frenchman is out of England, or perchance,"

"Ay, ay, we'll guard the maid," broke in Master de Cressi. "Come! to saddle 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's own. Here he bade farewell to his brothers, to his father, who

kissed him on the brow, and to Sir Andrew, who stretched his hand above his head in blessing. Then he

turned to Eve and was about to embrace her even before that company, when Sir Andrew looked at him, and,

remembering the penance that had been laid upon him, he but pressed her hand, whispering:

"He is with us all, but I would that you could be with me also," she answered in the same low voice. "Still,

man must forth to battle and woman must wait and watch, for that is the world's way. Whate'er befalls,

remember that dead or living I'll be wife to no man but you. Begone now ere my heart fails me, and guard

Then Hugh swung himself to the saddle of which Grey Dick had already tested the girths and stirrup leathers.

In another minute the six of them were clattering over the stones of Middlegate Street, while the burgesses of

Dunwich peeped from their window places, wondering what knight with armed men rode through their town

Just as the grey dawn broke they passed the gate, which, there being peace in the land, was already open.

Fifteen minutes later they were on the lonely Westleton Heath, where for a while naught was to be heard save

the scream of the curlew and the rush of the wings of the wildduck passing landward from the sea.

Presently, however, another sound reached their ears, that of horses galloping behind them. Grey Dick pulled

"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 through to London. Yet if he fled the

pursuers would raise the country on them as they came, so that in the end they must be taken, since those who

"So say I," answered Grey Dick; and led the way to a little hillock by the roadside on which grew some

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 strung them. Scarcely had they done so when the mist, lifting in the

morning breeze, showed them their pursuersseven of them, as Dick had saidheaded by one of the

French knights, and riding scattered, between two and three hundred yards away. At the same moment a

"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, not at the riders, who without them will be helpless. And let no man

Nevertheless, when the Norman knight who led came within two hundred yards, shouting to them in French

to surrender, Dick lifted his great bow, drew and loosed carelessly, as though he shot at hazard, the others

holding their bows till the Claverings were nearer. Yet there was little of hazard when Grey Dick shot, save to

that at which he aimed. Away rushed the arrow, rising high and, as it seemed, bearing somewhat to the left of

the knight. Yet when it drew near to that knight the wind told on it and bent it inward, as he knew it would.

Fair and full it struck upon the horse's chest, piercing through to the heart, so that down the poor beast came,

"A good shot enough," grumbled Grey Dick. "Still, it is a shame to slay nags of such a breed and let the

But his companions only stared at him almost in awe, while the other Clavering men rode on. Before they

had covered fifty paces, again the great 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's servingmen also lifted their bows, but Grey

Then, as those who remained still came on, urged by the knight who ran shouting behind them, all loosed,

and though some arrows went wide, the end of it was that ere they reached the little mound every Clavering

horse was dead or sore wounded, while on the heath stood or lay seven helpless men.

So they went out, all of them, except he who had the horses, and Hugh called aloud that the first man of the

Claverings who lifted a bow or drew a sword should die without mercy. And he pointed to Grey Dick, who

Still they hesitated. Then, without further warning Dick sent an artful arrow through the cap of one of them,

lifting it from his head, and instantly set another shaft to his string. After this, down went the swords and

Now Hugh spoke a word to his men, who, going to the dead and dying horses, took from them the

stirrupleathers and bridlereins and therewith bound the Claverings back to back. But the French knight, in

acknowledgment of his rank, they trussed up by himself, having first relieved him of his purse by way of fine.

"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 the man who steals their money out of my company."

So the purse was restored. When it was safe in the knight's pouch again Hugh saluted him, begging his

"Then, Sir Pierre de la Roche," said Hugh, "here you and your people must bide until some come to set you

free, which, as this place is lonely and little crossed in winter, may be today or may be tomorrow. When at

length you get back to Blythburgh Manor, however, or to Dunwich town, I trust it to your honour to declare

that Hugh de Cressi has dealt well with you. For whereas he might have slain you every one, as you would

have slain him and his if you could, he has harmed no hair of your heads. As for your horses, these, to his

sorrow, he was obliged to kill lest they should be used to ride him down. Will you do this of your courtesy?"

"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 by a devil"and he nodded toward Grey Dick"since no one who is only

man can have such hellish skill in archery as we saw yesterday, and now again this morning. Moreover," he

went on, contemplating Dick's ashen hair and cold eyes set wide apart in the rocky face, like to those of a

"I'll not render your words into our English talk, Sir Pierre," replied Hugh, "lest he of whom you speak should

take them amiss and send you where you might learn them false. For know, had he been what you say, the

arrow that lies in your horse's heart would have nailed the breastplate to your own. Now take a message from

me to your lord, Sir Edmund Acour, the traitor. Tell him that I shall return ere long, and that if he should dare

to attempt ill toward the Lady Eve, who is my betrothed, or toward my father and brethren, or any of my

House, I promise, in Grey Dick's name and my own, to kill him or those who may aid 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

So they rode forward, bearing all the Clavering weapons with them, which a mile or two further on Grey

Dick hid in an empty fox's earth where he knew he could find them again. Only he kept the French knight's

beautiful dagger that was made of Spanish steel, inlaid with gold, and used it to his life's end.

Here it may be told that it was not until thirtysix hours had gone by, as Hugh learned afterward, that a

countryman brought this knight and his companions, more dead than alive, to Dunwich in his wain. As he

was travelling across Westleton Heath, with a load of corn to be ground at the Dunwich mill, it seemed that

he heard voices calling feebly, and guided by them found these unhappy men half buried in the snow that had

But when Sir Edmund Acour knew the story of their overthrow and of the message that Hugh had sent to

him, he raved at them, and especially at Sir Pierre de la Roche, saying that the worst of young de Cressi's

crimes against him was that he had left such cowardly hounds alive upon the 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, had met

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

On the morning of the third day after they left Dunwich, having been much delayed by foul weather and

fouler roads, Hugh de Cressi and his company came at length to London. They had suffered no further

adventure on their way for, though the times were rough and they met many evillooking fellows, none

ventured to lift hand against six men so well armed and sturdy. Guided by one of their number who had often

been to London on Master de Cressi's business, they rode straight to Westminster. Having stabled their horses

at an inn near by, and cleaned the mire of the road from their mail and garments, they went up to the palace,

"Then it is a fool's errand," said the captain, "seeing that his Grace rode yesterday to his castle at Windsor to

So sorely did the horses need rest, that Hugh and his people could not ride from London till the following

morning, and evening was closing in before they found themselves drawing near the gate of Windsor Castle.

In the marketplace of the little town they pulled rein, while one of them went to search for a good inn at

which they might lie, for the place seemed to be very full of people. Suddenly, as they stood there, wondering

at the mighty, newbuilt keep which towered above them, a trumpet was blown and from round a corner

appeared a gay procession of noblelooking men, and with them some ladies, who carried hawk on wrist, all

Now, the people who had gathered to study the strangers or tout for their custom, took off their bonnets and

"Which is his Grace?" asked Hugh of one of them, whereon the man pointed to a royaleyed and bearded

knight, still in early middle life, who rode toward him, talking to a gallant youth at his side.

Now a thought came into Hugh's mind that the present time is always the best time to strike. Leaping from

his horse, he advanced bowing, and stood in the pathway of the King. Seeing this, two of the fine Court lords

spurred their horses and rode straight at him, thinking to drive him 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 haunches so sharply

that the knight who rode it rolled from his saddle into the mire, whereupon every one laughed. In a moment

"Out of the road, jackanapes, dressed in your grandfather's mail, unless you would stop there in the stocks.

"That of his Grace," answered Hugh, "for whom I have a message that he will be glad to hear, and, popinjay,

this for yourself; were it not for his presence it is you who should stop upon the road till you were carried

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

"Sir, why do you make trouble in these streets, and tumble the good Sir Ambrose Lacey from his horse with

"Sir," answered Hugh, "because the good Sir Ambrose tried to ride his horse over me for no offence save that

"This is scarcely a time for the giving of messages," replied the young man, "but what is your name, and who

sends the message? I am the Prince Edward," 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 Reverend Father Sir Andrew Arnold, of

Dunwich, and have followed his Grace from Westminster, whither I and my men rode first."

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

"My father says that he knows both the names you give well enough and holds them dear. He bids that you

and your people should follow him to the castle, where you will be entertained, with your horses. Sir

Ambrose," he added, "the King desires that you should forget your choler, since he saw what passed, and

deems that this young stranger did well to check your horse. Follow on, Hugh de Cressi, the officers will

So Hugh obeyed, and rode with the rest of the train and his folks through 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 to see him

After they had stabled their beasts, as Hugh, followed by Grey Dick, was advancing toward a hall which he

Pointing to Grey Dick, at whom the officer looked doubtfully, Hugh asked that 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 he would not give it up.

"The bow and I do not part," he said, in his croaking voice, "for we are husband and wife, and live and sleep

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

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

"I should like to hear that tale," said the Prince. "Meanwhile, since both my father and I love archers, let him

pass with his bow. Only keep his 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 looked like the chancel of a church. Only at the head of it, where the altar should have

been, was a kind of dais. On this dais were set some high backed oaken chairs with many lanterns behind

them in which burned tapers that, together with a great wood fire, gave light to the chamber.

In one of these chairs sat a gracious lady, who was embroidering something silken in a frame. This was

Queen Philippa, and talking to her 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 a priest's robe, writing. There was no one else in the room.

"Who are these?" asked the King of the Prince. "Oh, I remember, the man who overthrew Sir Ambrose and

"Ay, Sire," answered the Prince; "and this dustcoloured fellow is his servant, who will not part with his

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

"I know not, Sire," replied Grey Dick, "but perhaps straighter than most, for God, Who withheld all else from

me, gave me this gift. At least, if I be not made drunk overnight, I'll match myself against any man at this

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

"Son," said the King, "see that this man is kept sober tonight, and tomorrow we will have a shooting

match. But, sirrah, if you prove yourself to be a boaster you shall be whipped round the walls, for I love 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 which was addressed to "His Grace King

Edward of England, sent from Andrew Arnold, priest, by the hand of Hugh de Cressi."

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

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

"Mayhap, Sire, you will remember me, Andrew Arnold, late master of the Templars in this town of Dunwich,

in whose house, by your warrant for certain services rendered to your grandsire, your sire, and to yourself, I

still dwell on as a priest ordained. Sire, the bearer of this, Hugh de Cressi, my godchild, is the son of Geoffrey

de Cressi, of this town, the great woolmerchant, with whom your Highness has had dealings"

"In truth I have!" interrupted the King, with a laugh. "Also I think the account is still openagainst myself.

"Sire, this Hugh is enamoured of Eve Clavering, daughter of Sir John Clavering of Blythburgh, a cousin of

his House, a very beauteous maiden, commonly known as Red Eve, and she in turn is enamoured of and

"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 wear red garments."

"God's truth! Lady," interrupted King Edward, "is this young man's message 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, during which Hugh de Cressi killed his cousin

John, fighting � outrance, and his servant, Richard the Archer, who accompanies him, commonly known as

Grey Dick, slew three men with as many arrows, two of them being Normans whose names are unknown to

us, and the third a grieve to Sir John Clavering, called Thomas of Kessland. Also, he killed a horse, and when

another Frenchman tried to grasp his master, sent a shaft through the palm of his hand."

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

"Not so far away, Sire. Only the light was very bad, or I should have had the fourth. I aimed low, Sire, fearing

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

"Sire," read on Hugh, "I ask your royal pardon to Hugh de Cressi and Richard the Archer for these slayings,

"Sire, Sir Edmund Acour, who has lands here in Suffolk, Count de Noyon in Normandy, and Seigneur of

"I know the man," exclaimed Edward to the Queen, "and so do you. A handsome knight and a pleasant, but

"Is also enamoured of Eve Clavering, and with her father's will seeks to make her his wife, though she

hates him, and by the charter of Dunwich, 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 storybrave men done to death for the sake of a woman

"My Liege, I pray that you will read the letter herein enclosed. Hugh de Cressi will tell you how it came to

my hand, since I lack time to write all the story. If it seems good to your Grace, I pray you scotch this snake

while he is in your garden, lest he should live to sting you when you walk abroad. If it please you to give

your royal warrant to the bearer of this letter, and to address the same to such of your subjects in Dunwich as

you may think good, I doubt not but that men can be found to execute the same. Thus would a great and

traitorous plot be brought to nothing, to your own glory and the discomfiture of your foes in France, who

hope to lay their murderous hands upon the throne of England. "Your humble servant and subject, "Andrew

"What's this?" exclaimed the King starting from his seat. "To lay hands upon the throne of England! Quick

"I was charged that it is for your Grace's eye alone," said Hugh as he unfolded the paper. "Is it your pleasure

Then they withdrew to the side of the dais, and, standing under a lantern, spelled out Sir Edmund Acour's

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

"'He of England,'" he quoted. "That's your husband, Edward, Lady, who is to be overthrown and killed 'that

Philip's son may take his seat and be crowned King at Westminster,' which God is to bring about before this

year 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 be rewarded with wide English lands and high English titles. Well, by God's

blood I swear that, dead or living, he shall be lifted higher than he hopes, though not by Normandy or my

brother of France! Let me think! Let me think! If I send menatarms he'll hear of it and slip away. Did not

"Ah, and she's a great heiress now, for you killed her brother, and Acour, although he has wide possessions in

sundry lands, was ever a spendthrift and deep in debt. No, he'll not leave unless he can get the girl; and old

Sir Andrew will guard her well with the power of the Church, and with his own right arm if need be, for he's

still more knight than priest. So there's no hurry. Tell me all you know of this story, Hugh de Cressi, omitting

nothing, however small. Nay, have no fear, if you can vouch for your fellow there, all of us in this chamber

So Hugh began and told of the de Cressis and the Claverings and their feud, and of how he and Eve had

always loved each other. He told of their meeting in the reeds of Blythburgh Fen, and of the death of John de

Clavering at his hand and of the others at the hand of Grey Dick, and of the escape of Acour from the fourth

arrow. He told how he and Eve had swum the Blyth in flood though the ice cut them, and hid on the moor

while Grey Dick led the Claverings astray, and came at last safe to sanctuary. He told how Acour's letter had

been won from his messenger by Sir Andrew's loyal guile. He told of the penance that Sir Andrew had laid

upon them because of the newshed blood of John Clavering, of the flight from Dunwich and the shooting of

the horses of the Clavering men, and of their ride to London and to Windsor. He told everything, save only

When at last he had finished, and though it was long none there grew weary of that story, the King turned to

"Brother Peter, make out a full pardon to Hugh de Cressi of Dunwich and Richard Archer his servant for all

slayings or other deeds wrought by them contrary to our general peace. Draw it wide, and bring the same to

me for execution ere I sleep tonight. Make out a commission also to the Mayor of Dunwichnay, I'll think

that matter over and instruct you further. Hugh de Cressi, you have our thanks, and if you go on as you have

begun you shall have more ere long, for I need such men about me. You also, strange and deathlike man

named Grey Dick, shall not lack our favour if it proves that you can shoot but half as well as you have

boasted, and, unless you lie, both of you, as it seems that you have done. And now to supper, though in truth

this news does not kindle appetite. Son, see that this gentleman is well served, and that none mock 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 as ever bestrode a horse in

That evening Hugh ate his food seated among the knights of the Household at a high table in the great hall, at

the head of which, for the King supped in private, was placed the young Prince Edward. He noted that now

none 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 his pardon for the talk that he had used to him in the Windsor

streethe was sure that some word had been sent round that his business had brought him favour with the

King and that he must be treated with all courtesy. Several of those who sat round him tried to discover what

that business was. But of this he would say nothing, parrying their questions with others about the wars in

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

Now, at lower tables, in that vast hall, Hugh's servants, and with them Grey Dick, sat among the

menatarms of the King's Guard, who were all chosen for their courage, and skill in archery. These soldiers,

noting the strangefaced, ashenhaired fellow who ate with his bow resting on the bench beside him,

inquired about him from the other Dunwich men, and soon heard enough to cause them to open their eyes.

When the ale had got hold of them they opened their mouths also, and, crowding round Dick, asked if it were

Then they looked at his bow, and saw that it was oldfashioned, like his master's mail, and of some foreign

make and wood, but a mighty weapon such as few could handle and hold straight. Lastly, they began to

challenge him to a match upon the morrow, to which he answered, who also had been drinking ale and was

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

"At any ye will," answered Grey Dick, "from twelve score yards down to one score yards. Now trouble me no

longer, who if I must shoot tomorrow would sleep first and drink no more of your strong ale that breeds bad

Then, seizing his bow, he glided away in his curious stoatlike fashion to the hole where he had been shown

"I am not so sure," answered a grizzled captain of archers, who had fought in many wars. "Braggarts make a

noise, but this fellow only spoke when we squeezed him and perhaps what came out of those thin lips was

Then they fell to betting which of them would beat Grey Dick by the heaviest 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 with this messenger, who led them to a little chamber, where his Grace sat,

attended only by the clerk, Brother Peter, and a darkbrowed minister, whose name he never learned.

"Hugh de Cressi and Richard Archer," said Edward, motioning to the minister to hand Hugh a parchment to

which hung a great seal, "here is the pardon which I promised you. No need to stay to read it, since it is as

wide as Windsor Keep, and woe betide him who lifts hand against either of you for aught you may have done

or left undone in the past contrary to the laws of our realm. Yet remember well that this grace runs not to the

future. Now that matter is ended, and we come to one that is greater. Because of the faith put in you by our

loyal and beloved subject, Sir Andrew Arnold, your godsire, and because we like the fashion of you, Hugh de

Cressi, and hold you brave and honest, it has pleased us to give you a commission under which we direct the

Mayor of Dunwich and all true and lawful men of that town and hundred to aid you in the taking or, if need

be, in the slaying of our subject, Sir Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon and Seigneur of Cattrina. We command

you to bring this man before us alive or dead, that his cause may be judged of our courts and the truth of the

matter alleged against him by the Reverend Father Sir Andrew Arnold therein determined. Nevertheless, we

command you not to wound or kill the said knight unless he resists the authority of us by you conveyed and

you cannot otherwise hold him safe from escaping from out this our realm. This commission you will

presently go forth to execute, keeping its tenor and your aim secret until the moment comes to strike, and, as

you perform your duty, of which you will return and make report to us, so shall we judge and reward you. Do

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

"Good! When the parchments are engrossed my officer here will read them to you and explain aught that may

need it. Meanwhile, we have an hour or two during which your horses can eat, for there are no fresh beasts

here to give you, and it is best, to avoid doubts, that you should return as you came, only showing your

powers if any should attempt to arrest you. So let us have done with these heavy matters, and disport us for a

while. This servant of yours has made a common boast that he will outshoot any of our picked archers, and

now we are ready to go forth and put him to the proof of the butts. Let him know, however, that,

notwithstanding our words of yesterday, we shall not hold him to blame if he fails, since many a man of

"Sire, I'll do my best. I can no more," said Grey Dick. "Only I pray that none may be suffered to hang about

or pester me at the butts, since I am a lonely man who love not company when I use my art."

"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 knaves for targets. Go to the King, master, and show him that while we linger

"I cannot, Dick; the parchments are not written out, and his Grace is bent upon this pleasure match.

Moreover, man, all these archers here yes, and their betters alsowould say that you had fled because you

"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 say it. Yet I tell you, master," he added in a burst of words, "although I

"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 and measuring some twentyfive score yards of

open level ground, stood Grey Dick, a strange, uncouth figure, at whom the archers of the guard laughed,

nudging each other. In his bony hand, however, he held that at which they did not laugh, namely, the great

black bow, six feet six inches long, which he said had come to him "from the sea," and was fashioned, not of

yew, but of some heavy, closegrained wood, grown perhaps 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, Grey Dick, who heard him, grinning, showing his white teeth like

Near by, on horseback and on foot, were the King, the young Prince Edward, and many knights and ladies;

while on the other side stood scores of soldiers and other folk from the castle, who came to see this ugly

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

Then he sat himself down on the grass and began to examine his arrows one by one, to all appearance taking

Presently came the first test. At a distance of five score yards was set a little "clout," or target, of white wood,

not more than two feet square. This clout had a red mark, or eye, three inches across, painted in its centre, and

"Now, Richard," said the King, "three of the best archers that we have about us have been chosen to shoot

Then a man stepped forward, a strong and gallant looking fellow, and loosed his three arrows. The first

missed the clout, the second pierced the white wood, and the third hit the red eye.

The clout having been changed, and the old one brought to the King with the arrows in it, the second man

took his turn. This time all three of the arrows hit the mark, one of them being in the red. Again it was

changed, and forth came the great archer of the guard, a tall and cleareyed man named Jack Green, and

whom, it was said, none had ever beaten. 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. He drew a third time, and the arrow went

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

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

"A boon, your Grace," said Dick. "Grant that this clout may be set up again with the arrows fast. Any may

know them from mine since they are grey, whereas those I make are black, for I am a fletcher in my spare

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

Now Grey Dick stretched himself, looked at the clout, looked at his bow, and set a blackwinged arrow on

the string. Then he drew, it seemed but lightly and carelessly, as though he thought the distance small. Away

flew the shaft, and sank into the red a good inch within the leftmost arrow of Jack Green.

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

"Oh!" said the onlookers, "this man is an archer; but Jack's last he cannot best, let the devil help him how he

"In the devil's name, then, be silent!" wheezed Grey Dick, with a flash of his halfopened eye.

"Ay, be silentbe silent!" said the King. "We do not see such shooting every day."

Now Dick set his foot apart and, arrow on string, thrice he lifted his bow and thrice let it sink again, perhaps

because he felt some breath of wind stir the still air. A fourth time he lifted, and drew, not as he had before,

Away rushed the yardlong shaft, and folk noted that it scarcely seemed to 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

"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!" while the young Prince threw his cap on high,

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

"Nay," said Grey Dick, seating himself again upon the grass, "there is naught to choose between us in this

Only Hugh, who watched him, saw the big veins swell beneath the pale skin of his forehead, as they ever did

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

Then a captain of the archers explained this sport. In short it was that man should stand against man clad in

leather jerkins, and wearing a vizor to protect the face, and shoot at each other with blunt arrows rubbed with

chalk, he who first took what would have been a mortal wound to be held worsted.

"I like not blunted arrows," said Grey Dick; "or, for the matter of that, any other arrows save my own.

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 placed against him, standing five yards apart, and blunted arrows

served out to all. Dick set one of them on the string, and laid the two others in front of them. Then a knight

As the word struck his ear Dick shot with wonderful swiftness, and almost as the arrow left the bow flung

himself down, grasping another as 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, causing the man to stagger backward and throw

Next instant Dick was up again and his second arrow flew, striking full and fair before ever he at whom it

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

At him rushed the swift shaft, and passed over his shoulder within a hairbreadth of his ear. Then came Dick's

"Tell me, captain," he said, "is your ground marked out in scores; and what is the farthest that any one of you

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

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 the horns looked as though they came quite close together, and loosed. High and far flew

that shaft; men's eyes could scarcely follow it, and all must wait long before a man came running to say

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

Then, while the silence still reigned, he set the second arrow on the string, and waited, as though he knew not

what to do. Presently, about fifty paces from him, a wood dove flew from out a tree and, as such birds 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 where doubtless it had built for years. Never, poor fowl, was it destined to build again, for as it

turned its beak downward Dick's shaft pierced it through and through and bore it onward to the earth.

Still in the midst of a great silence, Dick took up his quiver and emptied it on the ground, then gave it to the

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

The captain did so, propping the quiver straight with stones and a bit of wood. Then, having studied all things

with his eyes, Dick shot upward, but softly. Making a gentle curve, the arrow turned in the air as it drew near

"Ill done," grumbled Dick; "had I shot well, it should have been pinned to earth. Well, yon shadow baulked

Now, at length, the silence was broken, and in good earnest. Men, especially those of Dunwich, screamed and

shouted, hurling up their caps. Jack Green, for all jealousy was forgotten at the sight of this wondrous skill,

ran to Dick, clasped him in his arms, and, dragging the badge from off his breast, tried to pin it to his rough

But Dick only growled, "Paws off! What have I done that I have not done a score of times before with no fine

folk to watch me? I shot to please my master and for the honour of Suffolk, not for you, and because some

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

"Richard Archer," he said, "never has such marksmanship as yours been seen in England since we sat upon

the throne, nor shall it go unrewarded. The twenty angels that you said you would stake last night shall be

paid to you by the treasurer of our household. Moreover, here is a gift from Edward of England, the friend of

archers, that you may be pleased to wear," and taking his velvet cap from off his head, the King unpinned

from it a golden arrow of which the barbed head was cut from a ruby, and gave it to him.

"I thank you, Sire," said Dick, his pale skin flushing with pride and pleasure. "I'll wear it while I live, and

"Without doubt it will, and that ere long, Richard, for know you that soon we sail again for France, whence

the tempest held us back, and it is my pleasure that you sail with us. Therefore I name you one of our

fletchers, with place about our person in our bodyguard of archers. Jack Green will show you your quarters,

and instruct you in your duties, and soon you shall match your skill against his again, but next time with

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

"Why, man? Are you a Frenchman?" asked the King, angrily, for he was not wont to have his favours thus

"My mother never told me so, Sire, although I don't know for certain who my father may have been. Still, I

think not, since I hate the sight of that breed as a farmer's dog hates rats. But, Sire, I have a good master, 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 mean King's halter on Tuesday. Did you not promise to whip me round your

walls last night unless I shot as well as I thought I could, and now do you not change your face and give me

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

"Silence!" he cried presently. "This yeoman's tongue is as sharp as his shafts. I am pierced. Let us hear whom

"You again, Sire, I think," went on Dick, "because, after the fashion of kings, you are unjust. You praise me

for my shooting, whereas you should praise God, seeing that it is no merit of mine, but a gift He gave me at

my birth in place of much which He withheld. Moreover, my master there," and he pointed to Hugh, "who

has just done you better service than hitting a clout in the red and a dow beneath the wing, you forget

altogether, though I tell you he can shoot almost as well as I, for I taught him."

"Dick, Dick!" broke in Hugh in an agony of shame. Taking no heed, Dick went on imperturbably: "And is the

best man with a sword in Suffolk, as the ghost of John Clavering knows today. Lastly, Sire, you send this

master of mine upon a certain business where straight arrows may be wanted as well as sharp swords, and yet

you'd keep me here whittling them out of ashwood, who, if I could have had my will, would have been on the

"By St. George!" exclaimed Edward, "I think that I should make you councillor as well as fletcher, since

without doubt, man, you have a bitter wit, and, what is more rare, do not fear to speak the truth as you see it.

Moreover, in this matter, you see it well. Go with Hugh de Cressi on the business which I have given him to

do, and, when it is finished, should both or either of you live, neglect not our command to rejoin us here,

orif we have crossed the seain France. Edward of England needs the service of such a sword and such a

"You shall have them both, Sire," broke in Hugh, "for what they are worth. 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 also honest. It is smooth, false words of

treachery that we hate, such words as are ever on the lips of one whom we send you forth to bring to his

account. Now to your duty. Farewell till we meet again, whether it be here or where all men, true or traitors,

About noon of the day on which Hugh and his company had ridden for London, another company entered

Dunwichnamely, Sir John Clavering and many of his folk, though with him were neither Sir Edmund

Acour nor any of his French train. Sir John's temper had never been of the best, for he was a man who,

whatever his prosperity, found life hard and made it harder for all those about him. But seldom had he been

angrier than he was this day, when his rage was mingled with real sorrow for the loss of his only son, slain in

a fight brought about by the daughter of one of them and the sister of the other and urged for honour's sake by

Moreover, the marriage on which he had set his heart between Eve and the glittering French lord whose

future seemed so great had been brought to naught, and this turbulent, hothearted Eve had fled into

sanctuary. Her lover, too, the youngest son of a merchant, had ridden away to London, doubtless upon some

mission which boded no good to him or his, leaving a blood feud behind him between the wealthy de Cressis

There was but one drop of comfort in his cup. By now, as he hoped, Hugh and his death'shead, Grey Dick, a

spawn of Satan that all the country feared, and who, men said, was a de Cressi bastard by a witch, were surely

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 the entrance, grey and grim, a long sword girt about his loins and

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

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

"I make no more of such wings than if they were those of farmyard geese," roared the furious man. "Bring

"Do so," replied Sir Andrew, "if you live to pass this consecrated sword," and he laid his hand upon its hilt.

"Take with her also the curse of the Mother of God, and His beloved Apostle, and that of the whole Church

of Christ, by me declared upon your head in this world and upon your soul in the world to come. Man, this is

sanctuary, and if you dare to set foot within it in violence, may your body perish and your soul scorch

everlastingly in the fires of hell. And you," he added, raising his voice till it rang like a trumpet, addressing

the followers of Sir John, "on you also let the curse of excommunication fall. Now slay me and enter if you

will, but then every drop of blood in these veins shall find a separate tongue and cry out for vengeance on you

Then he crossed himself, drew the great sword, and, holding it in his left hand, stretched out his right toward

The Clavering men heard and saw. They looked at each other, and, as though by common consent, turned and

rode away, crossing themselves also. In truth, they had no stomach for the curse of the Church when it was

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 warriors of his generation, and, so said rumour, was a white wizard to boot with all

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

"Sir Andrew, why do you bring all these wrongs upon me? My boy is dead at the hand of Hugh de Cressi,

your godson, and he has robbed me of my daughter, whom I have affianced to a better and a nobler man.

Now you give her sanctuary and threaten me with the curse of the Church because I would claim her, my own

flesh and blood; ay, and my heiress too today. 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 of honours that you will never harvest do you

seek to part those who love each other and whom God has willed to bring together? Why would you sell your

child to a gilded knave whom she hates? Nay, stop me not. I'd call him that and more to his face and none

have ever known me lie. Why did you suffer this Frenchman or your dead son, or both of them, to try to burn

"Would you know, Father? Then I'll tell you. Because I wish to see my daughter set high among lords and

princes and not the wife of a merchant'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, how much more true is it now that he has killed my

son, and by the arrows of that wolfman who dogs his heels, slain my guests and my grieve. Think not 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 it for myself. Ay, though you are old, I tell you you shall live to see the de Cressi vault

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

"It comes upon me that you speak truth, Sir John, for since I met a certain 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 think that many vaults

and many churchyards, too, will ere long be filled with dead; also that the tomb of the Claverings at

Blythburgh will soon be opened. Mayhap the end of this world draws near to all men, as surely it draws near

to you and me. I know notyet truth was in your lips just now, and in mine as well, I think. Oh, man, man!"

he went on after a pause, "appeal not unto the world's C�sar lest C�sar render different judgment to that

which you desire. Get you home, and on your knees appeal unto God to forgive you your proud,

vengeanceseeking heart. Sickness draws near to you; death draws near to you, and after death, hellor

As he heard these words Sir John's swarthy face grew pale and for a little while his rage died down. Then it

"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 is vexed with wrongs, and I'll square my own account with God without your

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

"Nay, Sir John, they betrothed themselves before the altar and in presence of his kin, no more. Moreover, if

you would know, because of your son's blood which runs between them I, after thought and prayer, speaking

in the name of the Church, swore them to this penancethat for a year from yesterday they should not wed

"I thank you, priest, for this small grace," answered Sir John, with a bitter laugh, "and in my turn I swear this,

that after the year they shall not wed, since the one of them will be clay and the other the wife of the man

whom I have chosen. Now, play no tricks on me, lest I burn this sanctuary of yours about your head and

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's face. What Sir John saw in those eyes he never told, but it was something

which scared him. At least that shortening of the breath of which he had spoken seemed to take a hold of him,

for he swayed upon his horse as though he were about to fall, then, recovering, turned and rode straight for

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

Secretly and in darkness those three whom Grey Dick had killed were borne into the nave of Blythburgh

church and there laid in the grave which had been made ready for them. Till now their corpses had been kept

above ground in the hope that the body of John Clavering the younger might be added to their number. But

search as they would upon seashore and riverbank, nothing of him was ever seen again. This funeral was

celebrated in the darkness, since neither Sir John nor Acour desired that 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, to say

naught of the wounded, that there was yet another to be added to the tale. Therefore they interred them by

It was a melancholy scene. The nave of the great church, lighted only with the torches borne by the six monks

of the black Augustines from the neighbouring priory of St. Osyth; the candles, little stars of light, burning

far away upon the altar; the bearers of the household of the Claverings and the uncoffined corpses lying on

their biers by the edge of the yawning graves; the mourners in their mail; the low voice of the celebrating

priest, a Frenchman, Father Nicholas, chaplain to Acour, who hurried through the Latin service as though he

wished to be done with it; the deep shadows of the groined roof whereon the rain patteredsuch were the

features of this interment. It was done at last, and the poor dead, but a few days before so full of vigour and of

passion, were left to their last sleep in the unremembered grave. Then the mourners marched back to the

Shortly after daybreak they were called from them again by the news that those who had followed Hugh de

Cressi had returned. Quickly they rose, thinking that these came back with tidings of accomplished

vengeance, to find themselves face to face with seven starved and miserable men who, all their horses being

The wretched story was learned at length, and then followed that violent scene, which has been told already,

when Acour cursed his followers as cowards, and Clavering, sobered perhaps by the sadness of the midnight

burial or by the memory of Arnold's words, reproved him. Lastly, stung by the taunts that were heaped upon

them, Sir Pierre de la Roche gave Hugh's messagethat if they lifted hand against his love or his House he

would kill them like ravening wolves, "which I think he certainly will do, for none can conquer him and his

Then Sir John's rage flared up again like fire when fresh fuel is thrown on ashes. He cursed Hugh and Grey

Dick; he cursed his daughter; he even cursed Acour and asked for the second time how it came about that he

"I know not," answered Sir Edmund fiercely, and laying his hand upon his sword, "but this I know, that you

"Do you threaten me?" asked Sir John. "Because, if so, you will do well to begone out of this house of shame

and woe lest you be borne out feet first. Nay, nay, I forgot," he added slowly, clasping his head in his hands,

"you are my daughter's affianced, are you not, and will give her high place and many famous titles, and her

son shall be called Clavering, that the old name may not die but be great in England, in France, and in Italy.

You must bide to marry her, lest that cuckoo, Hugh de 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 slew my only son. Take not my

words ill, noble Noyon, for I am overdone with grief for the past and fear for the future. You must bide to

marry her by fair means or by foul. Draw her from the sanctuary and marry her whether she say you yea or

nay. You have my leave, noble Noyon," and so speaking he swayed and fell prone upon the floor.

At first they thought that he was dead. But the chaplain, Nicholas, who was a leech, bled him, and he came to

"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 now very rich, for that old hothead cannot live long. His violent humours will

kill him, and, as you know, Father, although I have great possessions, my costs are large and I have still

greater debts. Lastly, shall de Noyon and his knights be worsted by a woolmerchant's younger son, a mere

'prentice lad, and his henchman, a common archer of the fens? Show me how to get her, Nicholas, and I'll

make an abbot of you yet. This sanctuary, now? will it hold? If we stormed the place and took her, would the

"No, my lord," answered the foxfaced Nicholas. "The Church is great because the Church is one, and what

the priest does the Pope upholds, especially when that priest is no mean man. This holy monk, Sir Andrew

Arnold, has reputation throughout Europe, and, though he seems so humble, because of his wisdom is in the

counsel of many great men whose fathers or grandfathers were guided by him long ago. Commit what crime

you will, dip yourself to the lips in blood, and you may find forgiveness, but touch not an ancient and

acknowledged sanctuary of the Church, 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 have written

"It is possible, lord; all things are possible, but I think not. I think that he only draws the bow at a hazard,

which is more than Grey Dick does," 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 traitor to their fool king is the least of the words

"Well, priest, my mother was English, as my wife will be. Therefore stay your tongue on that matter and tell

"I thought you wished to speak of the English, my lord, otherwise I should not have venturedbut as to the

lady Eve, something comes to me. Why does she stay in sanctuary who herself has committed no crime? Is it

not, such is her madness, because she would be out of reach of you and your endearments? Now if she

believed you gone far enough away, let us say to France, and knew that her father lay ill, why then" and

"Yes, lord, and we might set a springe to catch this bird so rare and shy, 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 forget her doubts and that merchant bumpkin?"

"Ah, Nicholas, you have a good wit, and if all goes well you shall certainly be an abbot. But would her father,

"Lord, that beefeating knight is in such a rage that he would do anything. What did he say just before the

stroke took him? That you were to marry her by fair means or by foul. Yes, and he told me an hour ago that if

only he knew she was your wife, he would die happy. Oh, you have his warrant for anything you do to bring

about this end. Still there is no need to tell him too much lest it should cause his good name to be aspersed by

the vulgar. Many, it seems, love this Red Eve for her high spirit, and are friends to the de Cressis, an open

That day it was given out that Sir Edmund Acour, those of his knights who remained alive and all his

following were about to leave for London and lay their cause before the King, having learned that Hugh de

Cressi had gone thither to prejudice his Grace on his own behalf. It was added, moreover, that they would not

return to Suffolk, but proposed when they had found justice or the promise of it, to take ship at Dover for

France. Next morning, accordingly, they rode away from Blythburgh Manor and passed through Dunwich

with much pomp, where the citizens of that town, who were friends of the de Cressis, stared at them with no

kind eyes. Indeed, one of these as they crossed the marketplace called to them to be careful not to meet

Hugh de Cressi and Grey Dick upon their journey, lest there should be more midnight burials and

"Register this vow for me, priest, that in payment for that jest I'll sack and burn Dunwich when our army

comes, and give its men and children to the sword and its women to the soldiers."

"It shall be done, lord," answered the chaplain, "and should your heart soften at the appointed time I'll put you

At the great house of the Mayor of Dunwich Sir Edmund drew rein and demanded to see him. Presently this

Mayor, a timid, uncertainlooking man, came in his robes of office and asked anxiously what might be the

"For no ill purpose, sir," answered Acour, "though little of justice have I found at your hands, who, therefore,

must seek it at the Court of my liege lord, King Edward. All I ask of you is that you will cause this letter to be

delivered safely to the lady Eve Clavering, who lies in sanctuary at the Preceptory of St. Mary and St. John. It

is one of farewell, since it seems that this lady who, by her own will and her father's, was my affianced,

wishes to break troth, and I am not a man who needs an unwilling bride. I'd deliver it myself only that old

"Only the master of the Preceptory," went on Acour, changing his tone somewhat, "might take fright and

think I wished to violate his sanctuary if I came there with thirty spears at my back."

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

"Therefore," continued Acour, "I pray you, deliver the letter. Perchance when we meet again, Master Mayor,"

he added with a venomous glance of his dark eyes, "you will have some boon to ask of me, and be sure I'll

Then without waiting for an answer, for the mob of sturdy fishermen, many of whom had served in the

French wars, looked threatening, he and his following rode away through the Ipswich gate and out on to the

All the rest of that day they rode slowly, but when night came, having halted their horses at a farm and given

it out that they meant to push on to Woodbridge, they turned up a bytrack on the lonely heath, and, unseen

by any, made their through the darkness to a certain empty house in 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 in autumn,

had been long unattended. Nor did any visit it at this season of the year, when no cattle grazed upon these salt

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 over it from the

sea. So lonely was it, also, that the Frenchmen swore that their comrades slain by Grey Dick haunted them at

nights, bidding them prepare to join the number of the dead. Indeed, had not Acour vowed that he would

hang the first man who attempted to desert, some of them would have left him to make the best of their way

back to France. For always as they crouched by the smoking hearth they dreamed of Grey Dick and his

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

You will no more of me, so however much you should live to ask it, I will have no more of you. I go hang

your merchant lout, and afterward away to France, who wish to have done with your cold Suffolk, where you

may buy my lands cheap if you will. Yet, should Master Hugh de Cressi chance to escape me, I counsel you

to marry him, for I can wish you no worse fate, seeing what you will be, than to remember what you might

have been. Meanwhile it is my duty as a Christian to tell you, in case you should desire to speak to him ere it

be too late, that your father lies at the point of death from a sickness brought on by his grief at the slaying of

his son and your cruel desertion of him, and calls for you in his ravings. May God forgive you, as I try to do,

all the evil that you have wrought, which, perhaps, is not done with yet. Unless Fate should bring us together

again, for as aught I know it may, I bid you farewell forever. Would that I had never seen your face, but well

are you named Red Eve, who, like the false Helen in a story you have never heard, were born to bring brave

"A fair Grecian, daughter, over whom nations fought when the world was young, 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 life to live, must follow their own hearts. But this Helen has been dead a long

while, so let her rest, if rest she may. And now it seems that Acour is away and that my father lies very sick.

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

So Sir Andrew sent out messengers who reported it to be true that Acour had 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 who

would never leave the place again, and that Sir John Clavering lay sick in his bed at the manor.

"God fights for us!" said Sir Andrew with a little laugh. "This Acour's greeting at Court may be warmer than

he thinks and at the least you and Dunwich are well rid of him. Though I had sooner that you stayed here,

tomorrow, daughter, you shall ride to Blythburgh. Should your father die, as I think he will ere long, it

might grieve you in the after years to remember that you had bid him no farewell. If he recovers or is harsh

So it came about that on the morrow Eve and Sir Andrew, accompanied only by a single serving man, fearing

no guile since it seemed certain that the Frenchmen were so far away, rode across the moor to Blythburgh. At

the manorhouse they found the drawbridge up. The watchman at the gate said also that his orders were to

admit none, for the Frenchmen being gone, there were but few to guard the place.

"What, good fellow," asked Eve, "not even the daughter of the house who has heard that her father lies so

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

So he went and returned presently, saying that Sir John commanded that his daughter was to be admitted, but

"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, for after all he loves me in his own fashion and when he understands will, I think,

"Your heart is your best guide, daughter, and it would be an ill task for me to stand between sire and child.

Enter then, for I am sure that the Saints and your own innocence will protect you from all harm. At the worst

So they parted, and the bridge having been lowered, Eve walked boldly to her father's sleeping chamber,

where she was told he lay. As she approached the door she met several of the household leaving it with

scared faces, who scarcely stayed to salute her. Among these were two servants of her dead brother John,

men whom she had never liked, and a woman, the wife of one of them, whom she liked least of all.

Pushing open the door, which was shut behind her, she advanced toward Sir John, who was not, as she had

thought, in bed, but clad in a furred robe and standing by the hearth, on which burnt a fire. He watched her

"Ay," he broke in, "sick, very sick here," and he laid his hand upon his heart, "where grief strikes a man.

Alone, too, since you and your fellow have done my only son to death, murdered my guests, and caused them

Now Eve, who had come expecting to find her father at the point of death and was prepared to plead with

"You know well that you speak what is not true," she said. "You and your Frenchmen strove to burn us out of

Middle Marsh; my brother John struck Hugh de Cressi as though he were a dog and used words toward him

that no knave would bear, let alone one better born than we are. Moreover, afterward once he spared his life,

and Grey Dick, standing alone against a crowd, did but use his skill to save us. Is it murder, then to protect

our honour and to save ourselves from death? And am I wrong to refuse to marry a fine French knave when I

"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 for you, by what right do you refuse him, saying that you love a Dunwich

shopboy? Down on your knees and beg my pardon, or you shall have the whipping you have earned."

"Ill would it go with any man who dared to lay a hand upon me," she said, 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 one to

threaten? Ay, and before you answer bear in mind that there are those at my call who can strike hard, and that

"What hellish plot is this that you hatch against me?" asked Sir John, with some note of doubt in his voice.

"Only, sir, that you consort with and would wed me to one who, although you may not know it, has, I am

told, much to fear from him, so much that I wonder that he has ridden to seek his Grace's presence. Well, you

are ill and I am angered and together we are but as steel and flint, from the meeting of which comes fire that

may burn us both. Therefore, since being better than I thought, you need me not and have only cruel words

for greeting, I'll bid you farewell and get me back to those who are kindlier. God be with you, and give you

"Ah!" said or rather snarled Sir John, "I thought as much and am ready for the trick. You'd win back to

sanctuary, would you, and the company of 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 past her he opened the door and

Apparently the men and woman whom Eve had met in the passage were still waiting there, for instantly they

"Now, fellows," said Sir John, "and you, Jane Mell, take this rebellious girl of mine to the chamber in the

prisoners' tower, whence I think she'll find it hard to fly to sanctuary. There lock her fast, feeding her with the

bread and water of affliction to tame her proud spirit, and suffering none to go near her save this woman, Jane

Mell. Stay, give me that bodkin which she wears lest she, who has learned bloody ways of late, should do

As he spoke one of the men deftly snatched the dagger from Eve's girdle and handed it to Sir John who threw

She raised her head slowly and looked him in the eyes. Mad as he was with passion there was something in

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

"Hearken, fellows. He who lays a finger on me, dies. Soon or late assuredly he dies as he would not wish to

die. Yes, even if you murder me, for I have friends who will learn the truth and pay back coin for coin with

interest a hundredfold. Now I'll go. Stand clear, knaves, and pray to God that never again may Red Eve cross

the threshold of her prison. Pray also that never again may you look on Hugh de Cressi's sword or hear Grey

So proud and commanding was her mien and so terrible the import of her words, that these rough hinds

shrank away from her and the woman hid her face in her hands. But Sir John thundered threats and oaths at

them, so that slowly and unwillingly they ringed Eve round. Then with head held high she walked thence in

The prisoners' chamber beneath the leads of the lofty tower was cold and unfurnished save for a stool and a

trucklebed. It had a great door of oak locked and barred on the outer side, with a grille in it through which

the poor wretch within could be observed. There was no window, only high up beneath the ceiling were slits

like loopholes that not a child could have passed. Such was the place to which Eve was led.

Here they left her. At nightfall the door was opened and Jane Mell entered, bearing a loaf of bread and a jug

"Ay, woman," answered Eve, "my thick red woollen cloak from my chamber, and hood to match. Also water

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

Mell went and within half an hour returned with the garments, the water and some other things. Setting them

While there remained a few rays of light to see by, Eve ate and drank heartily, for she needed food. Then

having prayed according to her custom, she laid herself down and slept as a child sleeps, for she was very

strong of will and one who had always taught herself to make the best of evil fortune. When she woke the

daws were cawing around the tower and the sun shone through the loopholes. She rose refreshed and ate the

remainder of her bread, then combed her hair and dressed herself as 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 him to sit upon

the stool. This he did, breathing heavily and muttering something about the steepness of the tower stairs.

"No," she answered, "nor ever will be, living or dead! You may kill my body, but my spirit is me, and that

"Christ's truth," he said, "how proud I could be of you, if only you'd let me! I deem your courage comes from

your mother, but she never had your shape and beauty. And now you are the only one left, and you hate me

"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 your hands of late would breed love in the humblest heart? What devil drives

"No devil, girl, but a desire for your own good, and," he added with a burst of truth, "for the greatness of my

House after I am gone, which will be soon. For your old wizard spoke rightly when he said that I stand near

"Will marrying me to a man I hate be for my good and make your House great? I tell you, sir, it would kill

me and bring the Claverings to an end. Do you desire also that your broad lands should go to patch a

spendthrift Frenchman's cloak? But what matters your desire seeing that I'll not do it, who love another man

worth a score of him; one, too, who will sit higher than any Count of Noyon ever stood."

"Pish!" he said. "'Tis but a girl's whim. You speak folly, being young and headstrong. Now, to have done

with all this mummer's talk, will you swear to me by our Saviour and on the welfare of your soul to break

with Hugh de Cressi once and forever? For if so I'll let you free, to leave me if you will, and dwell where it

"Wait ere you speak, I have not done. If you take my offer I'll not even press Sir Edmund Acour on you; that

matter shall stand the chance of time and tide. Only while you live you must have no more to do with the man

"Not I," she answered. "How can I who but a few days ago before God's altar and His priest vowed myself to

"Then stay here till you rot," he said quite quietly, "for I'll give you no burial. As for this Hugh, I would have

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 passed between them; and although she knew not how these things would end, Eve

felt that parting to be dreadful. Turning her face to the wall, for a while 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 have

answered no otherwise; her soul was pure of sin, and, for the rest, God must rule it. At least she would die

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 wind blew that drowned all sound of voices. For a while a wild hope had filled her

that Hugh had come, or perchance Sir Andrew, with the Dunwich folk, but presently she remembered that

this was foolish, since these would never have been admitted within the moat. So sighing sadly she turned to

rest again, thinking to herself that doubtless her father had called in some of his vassal tenants from the

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 the lack of anything else to do she arrayed herself in them, and braided her

hair with the help of a silver mirror that was among the garments. A little later this woman appeared again,

bearing not bread and water, but good food and a cup of wine. The food she ate with thankfulness, but the

wine she would not drink, because she knew that it was French and had heard Acour praise it.

The morning wore away to noon, and again the door opened and there stood before herSir Edmund Acour

himself, gallantly dressed, as she noticed vaguely, in closefitting tunic of velvet, long shoes that turned up at

the toes and a cap in which was set a single nodding plume. She rose from her stool and set her back against

the wall with a prayer to God in her heart, but no word upon her lips, for she felt that her best refuge was

"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 wrote that Fate might bring us together again, and it has done so through no

fault or wish of mine. The truth is that when I was near to London I heard that danger awaited me there on

account of certain false accusations, such danger that I must return again to Suffolk and seek a ship at some

eastern port. Well, I came here last night, and learned that you were back out of sanctuary and also that you

had quarrelled with 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 and racked with sickness that he scarce knows what he does."

"Pity for your lot, yes, and my love for you that eats my heart out, caused me to seek your father's leave to

"Moreover," he added, "I have news for you which I fear you will think sad and which, believe me, I pray

you, it pains me to give, though the man was my rival and my enemy. Hugh de Cressi, to whom you held

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

"I had the story," he continued, "from two of his own men, whom we met flying back to Dunwich from

London. It seems that messengers from your father reached the Court of the King before this Hugh, telling

him of the slaying in Blythburgh Marsh. Then came Hugh himself, whereon the King seized him and his

henchman, the archer, and at once put them on their trial as the murderers of John Clavering, of my knights,

and Thomas of Kessland, which they admitted boldly. Thereon his Grace, who was beside himself with rage,

said that in a time of war, when every man was needed to fight the French, he was determined by a signal

example to put a stop to the shedding of blood in these private feuds. So he ordered the merchant to the block,

and his henchman, the archer, to the 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 seized wherever I might be found and cast into prison till I could be put upon

my trial, and my knights with me. Of your father's case he is considering since his only son has been slain

and he holds him in regard. Therefore it is that I am obliged to avoid London and take refuge here."

"Lady," he proceeded, though with somewhat less assurancefor now he must leave lies and get to pleading,

and never did a suit seem more hopeless, "these things being so through no fault of mine whose hands are

innocent of any share in this young man's end, I come to pray of you, the sword of death having cut all your

oaths, that you will have pity on my love and take me as your husband, as is your father's wish and 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 give you wealth, but most of all I can give you such tender adoration as never woman had

before. Oh! sweet Eve, your answer," and he cast himself upon the ground before her, and, snatching the hem

"Get you gone, knave, whose spurs should be hacked from your heels by scullions. Get you gone, traitor and

liar, for well I know that Hugh de Cressi is not dead, who had a certain tale to tell of you to the King of

England. Get you back to the Duke of Normandy and there ask the price of your betrayal of your liege lord,

Edward, and show him the plans of our eastern coast and the shores where his army may land in safety."

Acour sprang to his feet and his face went white as ashes. Thrice he strove to speak but could not. Then with

"The hunt's up," said Father Nicholas when he had heard all this tale a little later, "and now, lord, I think that

you had better away to France, unless you desire to stop without companions in the church yonder."

"Ay, priest, I'll away, but by God's blood, I'll take that Red Eve with me! For one thing she knows too much

to leave her behind. For a second I mean to pay her back, and for a third, although you may think it strange,

I'm mad for her. I tell you she looked wondrous standing with her back against that wall, her marble face

never wincing when I told her all the lie about young de Cressi's deathwhich will be holy truth when I get

"Doubtless, lord, but how did she look when she called you knave and traitor? I think you said those were her

wicked words. Oh!" he added with a ring of earnestness in his smooth voice, "let this Red Eve be. At bed or

board she's no mate for you. Something fights at her side, be it angel or devil, or just raw chance. At the least

"Then I'll be ruined, Nicholas, for I'll not leave her, for a while, at any rate. What! de Noyon, whom they call

Danger of Dames, beaten by a country 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 back with Edward's warrant in their

pouch," answered the priest, shrugging his lean shoulders. "Well, lord, what is your plan?"

"If she were dead it might be done, though hardlyover these Suffolk roads. But being very much alive with

a voice to scream with, hands to fight with, a brain to think with and friends who know her from here to

Yarmouth, or to Hull, and Monsieur Grey Dick's arrows pricking us behind perchancewell, I don't know."

"Friend," said Acour, tapping him on the shoulder meaningly, "there must be 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 this

Dick whom you have so much upon the brain, and afterward to Edward of England or his officers."

Father Nicholas looked at the great Count's face. Then he looked at the ground, and, having studied it a while

without result, turned his beady eyes 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 certain medicines which breed that passion in the human animal."

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

"Then in God's or Satan's name, give her one. Only be careful it is the right sort, for if you made a mistake so

that she hated me any more than she does at present, I know not what would happen. Also if you kill her I'll

"She'll seem somewhat stupid for a while, perhaps not speak, but only smile kindly. That will last twelve

hours or so, plenty of time for you to be married, and afterward, when the grosser part of the potion passes off

"A powerful medicine, truly, that can change the nature of woman. Moreover, I'd rather that she loved

mewell, as happy brides do. Still I put up with the fury provided it be of the good kind. And now how is it

"Leave that to me, lord," said Nicholas, with a cunning smile. "Give me a purse of gold, not less than ten

pieces, for some is needed to melt in the mixture, and more to bribe that woman and others. For the rest, hold

yourself ready to become a husband before sunset tomorrow. Go see Sir John and tell him that the lady

softens. Send men on to King's Lynn also to bid them have our ship prepared to sail the minute we appear,

which with good fortune should be within fortyeight hours from now. Above all, forget not that I run great

risk to soul and body for your sake and that there are abbeys vacant in Normandy. Now, farewell, I must to

my work, for this medicine takes much skill such as no other leech has save myself. Ay, and much prayer

"Prayer to the devil, I think," said his master looking after him with a shrug of his shoulders. "God's truth! if

any one had told me three months gone that de Noyon would live to seek the aid of priests and potions 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

Then with a bitter laugh he turned and went about his business, which was to lie to the father as he had lied to

the daughter. Only in this second 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 food that was brought to her, for

confinement in that narrow place had robbed her of her appetite. Also she had suffered much from grievous

fear and doubt, for whatever she might say to Acour, how could she be sure that his story was not true? How

could she be sure that her lover did not, in fact, now lie dead at the headsman's hands? Such things often

happened when kings were wroth and would not listen. Or perhaps Acour himself had found and murdered

him, or hired others to do the deed. She did not know, and, imprisoned here without a friend, what means had

she of coming at the truth? Oh! if only she could escape! If only she could speak with Sir Andrew for one

She sent away the food and bade the woman Mell bring her milk, for that would be easy to swallow and give

her sustenance. After some hours it came, Mell explaining that she had been obliged to send for it to the

farmsteading, as none drank milk in the manorhouse. Being thirsty, Eve took 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, had strange dreams in her sleep. She dreamed of

her childhood, when she and Hugh played together upon the Dunwich shore. She dreamed of her mother, and

thought dimly that she was warning her of something. She heard voices 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, followed them

out of that hateful prison, for the bolts clanged behind her, down stairs and into the courtyard, where the sun's

light almost blinded her and the fresh air struck her hot brow like ice. Then there were more voices, and

people moving to and fro and the drone of a priest praying and a touch upon her hand from which she shrank.

And oh! she wished that dream were done, for it was long, long. It wearied her, and grasped her heart with a

It was past three o'clock on this same day when Eve had drunk the milk and some hours after she began to

dream, that Hugh de Cressi and his men, safe and sound but weary, halted their tired horses at the door of the

"Best go on to his worship the Mayor and serve the King's writ upon him, master," grumbled Grey Dick as

they rode up Middlegate Street. "You wasted good time in a shooting bout at Windsor against my will, and

now you'll waste more time in a talking match at Dunwich. And the sun grows low, and the Frenchmen may

"The lady Eve will fare neither better nor worse for your knowing about her, but one with whom you should

talk may fare further, for doubtless his spies are out. But have your way and leave me to thank God that no

woman ever found a chance to clog my leg, perhaps because I was not born an ass."

It is doubtful if Hugh heard these pungent and practical remarks, for ere Dick had finished speaking them, he

was off his horse, and hammering at the Preceptory door. Some while passed before any answer came, for Sir

Andrew was walking in the garden beyond the church, in no happy mind because 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.

So it came about that fifteen minutes or more went by before at length Hugh and his godsire stood face to

"One question at a time, son, for whose safe return I thank God. I know not how she is, and she is not with

"Not quite, son. Only today I have learned that Acour and his folk never went to London, and are back again

"So much the better, Father, for now I have the King's warrant addressed to the Mayor and all his Grace's

"Ah! But I have learned also that her father holds Eve a prisoner, suffering her to speak with none, andone

lamb among those wolves Oh! God! why didst Thou suffer my wisdom to fail me? Doubtless for some

good purposewhere is my faith? Yet we must act. Hie, you there," he called to one of the menatarms,

"go to Master de Cressi's house and bid him meet us by the marketcross mounted and armed, with all his

sons and people. 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 my harness, tell me all that's passed, wasting no words."

Another halfhour almost had gone by before Hugh met his father, two of his brothers and some men riding

into the marketplace. They greeted in haste but thankfulness, and something of the tale was told while they

passed on to the house of the Mayor, who, as they thought, had already been warned of their coming by

messengers. But here disappointment awaited them, for this officer, a man of wealth and honour, was, as it

chanced, absent on a visit to Norwich, whence it was said that he would not return for three full days.

"Now what shall we do?" asked Sir Andrew, his face falling. "It is certain that the burgesses of Dunwich will

not draw sword in an unknown quarrel, except upon the direct order of their chief, for there is no time to

collect them and publish the King's warrant. It would seem that we must wait till tomorrow and prepare

"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 to Blythburgh Manor on the instant with any who will follow me, or without them.

Now his father tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen, for the fear in his heart urged him forward. So

the end of it was that the whole party of themthirteen men in all, counting those that Master de Cressi

brought, rode away across the heath to Blythburgh, though the horses of Hugh's party being very weary, not

Just as the sun sank they mounted the slope of the farther hill on the crest of which stood the manorhouse

"The drawbridge is down, thanks be to God!" said Sir Andrew, "which shows that no attack is feared. I doubt

They obeyed, though some of them who knew old Sir John's temper seemed not to like the business. Leaving

two of their people with the horses, they crossed the bridge, thinking to themselves that the great house

seemed 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 be seen. Dick tapped Hugh upon the shoulder, pointing to a window of

this chapel that lay in the shadow, through which came a faint glimmering of light, as though tapers burned

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

The door of the chapel was open and they walked through it as quietly as they could, to find the place, which

was not very large, filled with people. Of these they took no heed, for the last rays of the sunlight flowing

A priest stood before the lighted altar holding his hands in benediction over a pair who kneeled at its rail. One

of these wore a red cloak down which her dark hair streamed. She leaned heavily against the rail, as a person

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 stood her father, looking at her with a

troubled air, and behind the knight were other knights and menatarms. In the little nave were all the people

of the manor and with them those that dwelt around, every one of them intently watching the pair before the

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

The knight at the altar rails sprang up and turned round. Hugh saw that it was Acour, but even then he noted

that the woman at his side, she who wore Eve's garment, never stirred from her knees.

Sir John Clavering glared down the chapel, and all the other people turned to look at them. Now Hugh and

his company halted in the open space where the nave joined the chancel, and said, answering the priest:

"I come hither with my companions bearing the warrant of the King to seize Edmund Acour, Count de

Noyon, and convey him to London, there to stand his trial on a charge of high treason toward his liege lord,

At these bold words the French knights and squires drew their swords and ringed themselves round their

"Stay," cried old Sir Andrew in his ringing voice. "Let no blood be shed in the holy house of God. You men

of Suffolk, know that you harbour a foul 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 vengeance of the King, who has issued his

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

"Do you yield, Sir Edmund Acour, or must we and the burgesses of Dunwich who gather without seize you

Acour turned and began to talk rapidly with the priest Nicholas, while the congregation stared at each other.

Then Sir John Clavering, who all this while had been listening like a man in a dream, suddenly stepped

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

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

"Then what do you, slayer of my son, in my house? Know that I have just married my daughter to this knight

whom you name traitor, and that I here defend him to the last who is now my kin. Begone and seek

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

Eve stirred. Resting her hands upon the altar rails, slowly she raised herself to her feet and turned her white

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

"I married, and in this red robe! Why, that betokens blood, as blood there must be if I am wed to any man

"In the name of Christ," thundered old Sir Andrew, "tell me, John Clavering, what means this play? Yonder

woman is no willing wife. She's drugged or mad. Man, have you doctored your own daughter?"

"Doctored my daughter? I! I! Were you not a priest I'd tear out your tongue for those words. She's married

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

"Nay," shouted Clavering, springing forward and drawing his sword; "in my house my business comes first.

Acour is my daughter's husband and so shall stay till death or Pope part them. Out of this, Hugh de Cressi,

Hugh walked toward Acour, taking no heed. Then suddenly Sir John lifted his sword and smote with all his

strength. The blow caught Hugh on the skull and down he fell, his mail clattering on the stones, and lay still.

With a whine of rage, Grey Dick leapt at Clavering, drawing from his side the archer's axe he always wore.

As he spoke Sir John began to sway to and fro. He let fall his murdering sword, he pressed his hands upon his

heart, he threw them high. Then suddenly his knees gave beneath him; he sank to the floor a huddled heap

and sat there, resting against the altar rail over which his head hung backward, 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 over the two fallen men, the murderer and the murdered, began to shrive them

swiftly ere the last beat of life should have left their pulses. His father, brothers, and Grey Dick clustered

round Hugh and lifted him. The foxfaced priest, Nicholas, whispered quick words into the ears of Acour and

his knights. Acour nodded and took a step toward Eve, who just then fell swooning and was grasped by Grey

"No, no," hissed Nicholas, dragging Sir Edmund back, "life is more than any woman." Then some one

overset the tapers, so that the place was plunged in gloom, and through it none saw Acour and his train creep

out by the chancel door and hurry to their horses, which waited saddled in the inner yard.

The frightened congregation fled from the nave with white faces, each seeking 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 not

also be held guilty of the murder of the King's officer, and swing for it from the gallows? So it came about

"The Frenchmen have fled!" cried Grey Dick. "Follow me, men," and with most of them he ran out and began

to search the manor, till at length they found a woman who told them that thirty minutes gone Acour and all

his following had ridden through the back gates and vanished at full gallop into the darkness of the woods.

"Master de Cressi," said Sir Andrew when he had heard it, "back with some of your people to Dunwich and

raise the burgesses, warning them that the King's wrath will be great if these traitors escape the land. Send

swift messengers to all the ports; discover where Acour rides and follow him in force and if you come up

with him, take him dead or living. Stop not to talk, man, begone! Nay, bide here, Richard, and those who

rode with you to London, for Acour may return again and some must be left to guard the lady Eve and your

De Cressi, his two sons and servants went, and presently were riding for Dunwich faster than ever they rode

before. But, as it proved, Acour was 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 hours before, with a wind behind her which blew straight for Flanders.

"Ah!" said Grey Dick when he heard the news, "this is what comes of wasting arrows upon targets which

should have been saved for traitors' hearts! With those three hours of daylight in hand we'd have ringed the

rogues in or run them down. Well, the devil's will be done; he does but spare his own till a better day."

But when the King heard the news he was very wroth, not with Hugh de Cressi, but with the burgesses of

Dunwich, whose Mayor, although he was blameless, lost his office over the matter. Nor was there any other

chosen afterward in his place, as those who read the records of that ancient port may discover for themselves.

When Master de Cressi and his people were gone, having first searched the great manorhouse and found

none in it save a few servingmen and women, whom he swore to put to death if they disobeyed him, Grey

Dick raised the drawbridge. Then, all being made safe, he set a watch upon the walls and saw that there was

wood in the iron cradle on the topmost tower 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 those walls, and then those that came proved

to be friendly folk from Dunwich bearing the ill news that the Frenchmen were clean away.

About midnight the door of the chamber in which Sir Andrew knelt by a bed whereon lay Hugh de Cressi

opened and the tall Eve entered, bearing a taper in her hand. For now her mind had returned to her and she

"Is he dead, Father?" she asked in a small, strange voice; then, still as any statue, awaited the answer that was

"Nay, daughter. Down on your knees and give thanks. God, by the skill I gained in Eastern lands, has stayed

Then he showed her how her father's sword had glanced from the short hood of chainmail which he had

given Hugh, stunning him, but leaving the skull unbroken. Biting into the neck below, it had severed the

outer vein only. This he had tied with a thread of silk and burned with a hot iron, leaving a scar that Hugh

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

"I know it, daughter. Question me no more. As for his stillness, it is that 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 will live."

Now Eve uttered a great sigh. Her breast heaved and colour returned to her lips. She knelt down and gave

thanks as the old priestknight had bidden her. Then she rose, took his hand and kissed it.

"Yet one more question, Father," she said. "It is of myself. That knave drugged me. I drank milk, and, save

some dreams, remember no more till I heard Hugh's voice calling. Now they tell me that I have stood at the

altar with de Noyon, and that his priest read the mass of marriage over us, andlook! Oh! I never noted it till

nowthere is a ring upon my hand," and she cast it on the floor. "Tell me, Father, according to the Church's

Sir Andrew's eloquent dark eyes, that ever shadowed forth the thoughts which passed within him, grew very

"I cannot tell you," he answered awkwardly after thinking a while. "This priest, Nicholas, though I hold him a

foul villain, is doubtless still a priest, clothed with all the authority of our Lord Himself, since the

unworthiness of the minister does not invalidate the sacrament. Were it otherwise, indeed, few would be well

baptized or wed or shriven. Moreover, although I suspect that himself he mixed the draught, yet he may not

have known that you were drugged, and you stood silent, and, it would appear, consenting. The ceremony,

alas! was completed; I myself heard him give the benediction. Your father assisted thereat and gave you to

the groom in the presence of a congregation. The drugging is a matter of surmise and evidence which may

not be forthcoming, since you are the only witness, and where is the proof? I fear me, daughter, that

"The Church's law," she broke in; "how about God's law? There lies the only man to whom I owe a bond, and

I'll die a hundred deaths before any other shall even touch my hand. Ay, if need be, I'll kill myself and reason

"Hush! hush! speak not so madly. The knot that the Church ties it can unloose. This matter must to his

Holiness the Pope; it shall be my business to lay it before him; yea, letters shall go to Avignon by the first

safe hand. Moreover, it well may happen that God Himself will free you, by the sword of His servant Death.

This lord of yours, if indeed he be your lord, is a foul traitor. The King of England seeks his life, and there is

another who will seek it also ere very long," and he glanced at the senseless form of Hugh. "Fret not yourself

overmuch, daughter. Be grateful rather that matters are no worse, and that you remain as you always were.

Another hour and you might have been snatched away beyond our finding. What is not ended can still be

mended. Now go, seek the rest you need, for I would not have two sick folk on my hands. Oh, seek it with a

thankful heart, and forget not to pray for the soul of your erring father, for, after all he loved you and strove

"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

Then she bent for a moment over Hugh, stretching out her hands above him as though in blessing, and

Three days went by before Hugh found his mind again, and after that for two weeks he was so feeble that he

must lie quite still and scarcely talk at all. Sir Andrew, who nursed him continually with the help of Grey

Dick, who brought his master possets, bow on back and axe at side but never opened his grim mouth, told his

patient that Eve was safe and sound, 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. At length there came a day when he

might rise from his bed, and sit on a bench in the pleasant spring sunshine by the open window. Walk he

could not, however, not only on account of his weakness, but because of another hurt, now discovered for the

first time, which in the end gave him more trouble than did the dreadful and dangerous blow of Clavering's

sword. It seemed that when he had fallen suddenly beneath that murderous stroke all his muscles relaxed as

though he were dead, and his left ankle bent up under him, wrenching its sinews in such a fashion that for the

rest of his life he walked a little lame. Especially was this so in the spring season, though whether because he

had received his hurt at that 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 the lifeblood running once more strongly

through his veins and who awaited Eve's longpromised advent. At length she came, stately, kind and

beautiful, for now her grief and terror had passed by, leaving her as she was before her woes fell upon her.

She came, and in Sir Andrew's presence, for he would not leave them, the tale was told.

Hugh learned for the first time all the truth of her imprisonment and of her shameful drugging. He learned of

the burying of Sir John Clavering and 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," which claim had been sent by him from France addressed to "all whom it might

concern." He learned of the King's wrath at the escape of this same Acour, and of his Grace's seizure of that

false knight's lands in Suffolk, which, however, proved to be so heavily mortgaged that no one would grow

Lastly he learned that King Edward, in a letter written by one of his secretaries to Sir Andrew Arnold and

received only that morning, said that he held him, Hugh de Cressi, not to blame for Acour's escape. It

commanded also that if he recovered from his wound, for the giving of which Sir John Clavering should have

paid sharply if he had lived, he and the archer, his servant, should join him either in England or in France,

whither he purposed shortly to proceed with all his host. But the Mayor and men of Dunwich he did not hold

The letter added, moreover, that the King was advised that Edmund Acour on reaching Normandy had openly

thrown off his allegiance to the crown of England and there was engaged in raising forces to make war upon

him. Further, that this Acour alleged himself to be the lawfully married husband of Eve Clavering, the heiress

of Sir John Clavering, a point upon which his Grace demanded information, since if this were true he

purposed to escheat the Clavering lands. With this brief and stern announcement the letter ended.

"Not so," she answered. "Can a woman who is Dunwich born be wed without consent? And can a woman

whose will is foully drugged out of her give consent to that which she hates? Why, if so there is no justice in

"'Tis a rare jewel in these evil days, daughter," said Sir Andrew with a sigh. "Still fret not yourself son Hugh.

A full statement of the case, drawn by skilled clerks and testified to by many witnesses, has gone forward

already to his Holiness the Pope, of which statement true copies have been sent to the King and to the

Bishops of Norwich and of Canterbury. Yet be warned that in such matters the law ecclesiastic moves but

"Well," answered Hugh with a fierce laugh, "there remains another law which moves more swiftly and its

wheels are greased with vengeance; the law of the sword. If you are married, Eve, I swear that before very

long you shall be widowed or I dead. I'll not let de Noyon slip a second time even if he stands before the

"I'd have killed him in the chapel yonder," muttered Grey Dick, who had entered with his master's food and

not been sent away. "Only," he added looking reproachfully at Sir Andrew, "my hand was stayed by a certain

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

"I could mock at that," said Dick sullenly, "who make confession in my own way, and do not wish to be

married, and care not the worth of a horseshoe nail how and where I am buried, provided those I hate are

"Richard Archer, graceless wight that you are," said Sir Andrew, "I say you 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 do as much for my soul. If not it must take its chance," and snatching at the

"Well," commented Sir Andrew, shaking his head sadly, "if the fellow's heart is hard it is honest, so may he

be forgiven who has something to forgive 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 or the Church levels it, a wall that you may

"Now I begin to wish that I had learned in Grey Dick's school," said Hugh. But whatever she thought, Eve set

It was Saturday, the 26th of August, in the year 1346. The harassed English hostbut a little host, after all,

retreating for its life from Parishad forced the passage of the Somme by the ford which a forgotten traitor,

Gobin Agache by name, revealed to them. Now it stood at bay upon the plain of Crecy, there to conquer or to

"Will the French fight today, what think you?" asked Hugh of Grey Dick, who had just descended from an

appletree which grew in the garden of a burntout cottage. Here he had been engaged on the twofold

business of surveying the disposition of the English army and in gathering a pocketful of fruit which

"I think that these are very good apples," answered Dick, speaking with his 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 the Tree 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 outstretched hands, saying: "Why should I give you my apples, fellows, seeing that you

were too lazy to climb and get them for yourselves? None of you ever gave me anything when I was hungry,

after the sack of Caen, in which my master, being squeamish, would take no part. Therefore I went to bed

supperless, because, as I remember you said, I had not earned it. Still, as I don't want to fight the French with

Then, with a quick motion, he flung the apples to a distance, all save one, which he presented to a tall man

"Take this, Jack Green, in token of fellowship, since I have nothing else to offer you. I beat you at Windsor,

didn't I, when we shot a match before the King? Now show your skill and beat me and I'll say 'thank you.'

Keep count of your arrows shot, Jack, and I'll keep count of mine, and when the battle is over, he who has

"Then I'm that already, lad," answered the great yeoman with a grin as he set his teeth in the apple. "For, look

you, having served at Court I've learned how to lie, and shall swear I never wasted shaft, whereas you, 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 we few English shall not see

Dick shrugged his shoulders and was about to answer when suddenly a sound of shouting deep and glad rose

from the serried companies upon their left. Then the voice of an officer was heard calling:

Another minute and over the crest of a little rise appeared Edward of England clad in full armour. He wore a

surtout embroidered with the arms of England and France, but his helm hung at his saddlebow that all might

see his face. He was mounted, not on his war steed, but on a small, white, ambling palfrey, and in his hand he

bore a short baton. With him came two marshalls, gaily dressed, and a slim young man clad from head to foot

in plain black armour, and wearing a great ruby in his helm, whom all knew for Edward, Prince of Wales.

On he rode, acknowledging the cheering of his soldiers with smiles and courtly bows, till at length he pulled

rein just in front of the triple line of archers, among whom were mingled some knights and men atarms, for

the order of battle was not yet fully set. Just then, on the plain beneath, riding from out the shelter of some

trees and, as they thought, beyond the reach of arrows, appeared four splendid French knights, and with them

a few squires. There they halted, taking stock, it would seem, of the disposition of the English army.

"One is the Lord of Bazeilles," answered a marshall. "I can see the monk upon his crest, but the blazons of

the others I cannot read. They spy upon us, Sire; may we sally out and take them?"

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

So the French knights, having stared their full, turned and rode away slowly. But one of their squires did

otherwise. Dismounting from his horse, which he left with another squire to hold, he ran forward a few paces

to the crest of a little knoll. Thence he made gestures of contempt and scorn toward the English army, as he

"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."

"Who are you?" said the King, "who seem to have been rolled in ashes and wear my own gold arrow in your

cap? Ah! I remember, the Suffolk man who showed 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 the honour of St. George, man,

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

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

Then Dick ground his heels into the turf and laid his weight against the bow. While all men watched

breathless, he drew it to an arc, he drew it till 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 sunlight glinting on its polished barb. Down it came

at length, and the King muttered "Short!" But while the word passed his lips that shaft seemed to recover

itself, as though by magic, and again rushed on. He of the foul words and gestures saw it coming, and turned

to fly. As he leapt forward the war arrow struck him full in the small of the back, just where the spine ends,

severing it, so that he fell all of a heap like an ox beneath the axe, and lay a still and huddled shape.

From all the English right who saw this wondrous deed there went up such a shout that their comrades to the

left and rear thought for a moment that battle had been joined. The King and the Prince stared amazed. Hugh

"Then would to heaven I had more such wizards," said the King. "God be with you, Grey Dick, for you have

put new heart into my and all our company. Mark, each of you, that he smote him in the back, smote him

"None," answered Dick in a surly voice. "My reward is that, whatever happens, yon filthy French knave will

never mock honest English folk again. 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, if you will, since but for him I should

Then turning aside, Dick unstrung his bow, and, pulling the remains of the apple out of his pouch, began to

"Hugh de Cressi!" said the King. "Ah! yes, I mind me of him and of the rogue, Acour, and the maid, Red

Eve. Well, Hugh, I am told you fought gallantly at BlancheTague two days gone and were among the last to

cross 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 knighted for my henchman's feats, or at all

"Ah, well, Master Hugh," said the King, "that's a right spirit. After the battle, perhaps, if it should please God

that we live to meet again in honour. De Cressi," he added musingly, "why this place is called Crecy, and

here, I think, is another good omen. At Crecy shall de Cressi gain great honour for himself and for St. George

of England. You are luck bringers, you two. Let them not be separated in the battle, lest the luck should leave

them. See to it, if it please you, my lord of Warwick. Young de Cressi can draw a bow; let him fight amongst

the archers and have liberty to join the menatarms when the time comes. Or stay; set them near my son the

"And now, you men of England, whatever your degree, my brothers of England, gentle and simple, Philip

rolls down upon us with all the might of France, our heritage which he has stolen, our heritage and yours.

Well, well, show him today, or tomorrow, or whenever it may be, that Englishmen put not their faith in

numbers, but in justice and their own great hearts. Oh, my brothers and my friends, let not Edward, whom

you are pleased to serve as your lawful King, be whipped off the field of Crecy 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 shot but now. Look, I give my son into your

keeping," and he pointed to the young 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 not fly; no, you and he together will this day earn a name that shall be told of when the

world is grey with age. Great is the chance that life has given you; pluck it, pluck it from the land of

opportunity and, dead or living, become a song forever in the mouths of men unborn. Think not of prisoners;

think not of ransoms and of wealth. Think not of me or of yourselves, but think of England's honour, and for

With a glad smile, Edward took his young son's hand and shook it; then rode away followed by his marshals.

"De Cressi," he said, as he passed Hugh, "the knave Acour, your foe and mine, 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,

It was not yet noon when King Edward spoke these words, and long hours were to go by before the battle

joined. Indeed, most thought that no blow would be struck that day, since it was known that Philip had slept

at Abbeville, whence for a great army the march was somewhat long. Still, when all was made ready, the

English sat them down in their ranks, bows and helmets at side, ate their midday meal with appetite, and

In obedience to the King's command Hugh and Grey Dick had been attached to the immediate person of the

Prince of Wales, who had about him, besides his own knights, a small band of chosen archers and another

band of menatarms picked for their strength and courage. These soldiers were all dismounted, since the

order had gone forth that knight and squire must fight afoot, every horse having been sent to the rear, for that

day the English expected to receive charges, not to make them. This, indeed, would have been impossible,

seeing that all along their front the wild Welsh had laboured for hours digging pits into which horses might

There then the Prince's battle sat, a small force after all, perhaps twelve hundred knights and menatarms,

with three or four thousand archers, and to their rear, as many of the savage, knifearmed Welsh who fought

that day under the banner of their country, the red Dragon of Merlin. Grey Dick's place was on the extreme

left of the archer bodyguard, and Hugh's on the extreme right of that of the menatarms, so that they were

but a few yards apart and could talk together. From time to time they spoke of sundry things, but mostly of

home, for in this hour of danger through which both of them could hardly hope to live, even if one did, their

"I wonder how it fares with the lady Eve," said Hugh, with a sigh, for of 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 and healthy, she has many friends and

servants to guard her and no enemy there to harm her, for her great foe is yonder," and he nodded towards

Abbeville. "Oh, without doubt well enough. It is she who should wonder how it fares with us. Let us hope

that, having naught else to do, she remembers us in her prayers, since in such a case even one woman's

prayers are worth something, for does not a single feather sometimes turn the scale?"

"I think that Eve would rather fight than pray," answered Hugh, with a smile, "like old Sir Andrew, who

would give half his remaining days to sit 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

"Why should he do more, master? He can find plenty of ways of dying without risking a single combat with

one whom he has wronged and who is therefore very dangerous. You remember his crest, mastera silver

swan painted on his shield. I knew it, and that is why I shot that poor fowl just before you killed young

Clavering on the banks of Blythe, to teach him that swans are not proof against arrows. Watch for the swan

"Ay, I'll watch," said Hugh grimly. "God help all swans that come my way. Let us pray that this one has not

Thus they talked of these and other things amongst the hum of the great camp, which was like to that of bees

on a limetree in summer, and whilst they talked the blue August sky became suddenly overcast. Dense and

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 fleursdelis, and the pennons of a hundred

knights set here and there among the long battle lines, first to flap and waver and then to stand out straight as

"Sheath bows!" it said, and instantly thousands of slender points were lifted and sank again, vanishing into

Scarcely were these snug when the storm broke. First fell a few heavy drops, to be followed by such a torrent

that all who had cloaks were glad to wear them. From the black clouds above leapt lightnings that were

succeeded by the deep and solemn roll of thunder. A darkness fell upon the field so great that men wondered

what it might portend, for their minds were strained. That which at other times would have passed without

remark, now became portentous. Indeed, afterward some declared that through it they had seen angels or

demons in the air, and others that they had heard a voice prophesying woe and death, to whom they knew not.

"It is nothing but a harvest tempest," said Dick presently, as he shook the wet from him like a dog and looked

As he spoke a single red ray from the westering sun shot through a rift 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 flaming sword all else

was dark, and silent also, for the rain and thunder had died away. Only thousands of crows, frightened from

the woods, wheeled to and fro above, their black wings turning to the redness of blood as they crossed and

recrossed that splendid path of light, and their hoarse cries filling the solemn air with clamour. The sight and

sounds were strange, nor did the thickestheaded fellow crouched upon Crecy's fateful plain ever forget them

The sky cleared by slow degrees, the multitudes of crows wheeled off toward the east and vanished, the sun

"Pray God the French fight us today," said Hugh as he took off his cloak and rolled it up.

"Because, Dick, it is written that the rain falls on the just and the unjust; and the unjust, that is the French, or

rather the Italians whom they hire, use these newfangled crossbows which as you know cannot be cased

"Master," remarked Dick, "I did not think you had so much witthat is, since you fell in love, for before

then you were sharp enough. Well, you are right, and a little matter like that may turn a battle. Not but what I

Hugh was about to answer with spirit, when a sound of distant shouting broke upon their ears, a very mighty

sound, and next instant some outposts were seen galloping in, calling: "Arm! Arm! The French! The French!"

Suddenly there appeared thousands of crossbow men, in thick, wavering lines, and behind them the points

of thousands of spears, whose bearers as yet were hidden by the living screen of the Italian archers. Yes,

before them was the mighty host of France glittering in the splendid light of the westering sun, which shone

The irregular lines halted. Perhaps there was something in the aspect of those bands of Englishmen still

seated in silence on the ground, with never a horse among them, that gave them pause. Then, as though at a

"Do they think to make us run at a noise, like hares?" said Hugh contemptuously.

But Grey Dick made no answer, for already his pale eyes were fixed upon the foe with a stare that Hugh

thought was terrible, and his long fingers were playing with the button of his bowcase. The Genoese

advanced a little way, then again stood and shouted, but still the English sat silent.

A third time they advanced and shouted more loudly than before, then began to wind up their crossbows.

From somewhere in the English centre rose a heavy, thudding sound which was new to war. It came from the

mouths of cannons now for the first time 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 did but hop toward them slowly, they took

"You're right, master," exclaimed Grey Dick in a fierce chuckle, "their strings are wet," and he pointed to the

quarrels that, like the cannon balls, struck short, some within fifty paces of those who shot them, so that no

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. A second command and every bow was bent. A third and with a noise that was

half hiss and half moan, thousands of arrows leapt forward. Forward they leapt, and swift and terrible they

fell among the ranks of the advancing Genoese. Yes, and ere ever one had found its billet, its quivermate

was hastening on its path. Thenoh! the sunlight showed it allthe Genoese rolled over by scores, their

frail armour bitten through and through by the grey English arrows. By scores that grew to hundreds, that

grew till the poor, helpless men who were yet unhurt among them wailed out in their fear, and, after one

From these arose a great shout: "Trahison! Trahison! Tuez! Tuez!" Next instant the appalling sight was seen

of the chivalry of France falling upon their friends, whose only crime was that their bow strings were wet,

and butchering them where they stood. So awful and unexpected was this spectacle that for a little while the

English archers, all except Grey Dick and a few others cast in the same iron mould, ceased to ply their bows

The long shafts began to fly again, raining alike upon the slaughterers and the slaughtered. A few minutes,

five perhaps, and this terrible scene was over, for of the seven thousand Genoese but a tithe remained upon

their feet, and the interminable French lines, clad in sparkling steel and waving lance and sword, charged

"Now for the feast!" screamed Grey Dick. "That was but a snack to sharp the appetite," and as he said the

It came, the charge came. Nothing could stop it. Down went man and horse, line upon line of them swept to

death by the pitiless English arrows, but still more rushed on. They fell in the pits that had been dug; they

died beneath the shafts and the hoofs of those that followed, but still they struggled on, shouting: "Philip and

The charge crept up as a reluctant, outworn wave creeps to a resisting rock. It foamed upon the rock. The

archers ceased to shoot and drew their axes. The menatarms leapt forward. The battle had joined at last!

Breast to breast they wrestled now. Hugh's sword was red, and red was Grey Dick's axe. Fight as they would,

the English were borne back. The young Prince waved his arm, screaming something, and at that sight the

English line checked its retreat, stood still, and next plunged forward with a roar of:

That assault was over. Backward rolled the ride of men, those who were left living. After them went the dark

Welsh. Their commanders ordered them to stand; the Earl of Warwick ordered them to stand. The Prince

himself ordered them to stand, running in front of them, only to be swept 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. They scrambled over the mass of dead and dying. They got among the living beyond. With

eerie screams they houghed the horses and, when the riders fell, hacked open the lacings of their helms, and,

unheeding of any cries for mercy, drove the great knives home. At length all were dead, and they returned

again waving those red knives and singing some fierce chant in their unknown tongue.

The battle was not over yet. Fresh horses of Frenchmen gathered out of arrow range, and charged again under

the banners of Blois, Alencon, Lorraine, and Flanders. Forward they swept, and with them came one who

looked like a king, for he wore a crown upon his helm. The hawkeyed Dick noted him, and that his bridle

was bound to those of the knights who rode upon his either side. On them he rained shafts from his great

black bow, for Grey Dick never shot without an aim, and after the battle one of his marked arrows was found

This second charge could not be stayed. Step by step the English knights were beaten back; the line of archers

was broken through; his guard formed 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 from below, caused the poor beast to leap

aside. He gained his feet again. The Prince was down, a splendid knightit was the Count of

Flanderswho had sprung from his horse, stood over him, his sword point at his throat, and called on him to

He struck down a knight with the pole of his standard. Hugh sprang like a wildcat 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 Prince struggled from the ground, gasping:

"I thank you, friends," and once more the French retreated. The Welsh banner rose again and that danger was

"John of Norwich," he cried to an aged knight, who stood leaning on his sword, "take one with you, away to

the King and pray him for aid. The French gather again; we are outworn with blows; the young Prince is in

"Now what would you give," he gasped as they ran, "to be drinking a stoup of ale with me in my tower of

Mettingham as you have done before this red day dawned? What would you give, young Hugh de Cressi?"

"Nothing at all," answered Hugh. "Rather would I die upon this field in glory than drink all the ale in Suffolk

"Well said, young man," grunted John. "So do I think would I, though I have never longed for a quart of

They came to a windmill and climbed its steep stairs. On the top stage, amid the corn sacks stood Edward of

"My son is not dead and is not wounded," replied the King, "and I have none to send to his aid. Bid him win

his spurs; the day shall yet be his. Look," he added, pointing through the windowplace, "our banners have

not given back a spear's throw, and in front of them the field is paved with dead. I tell you the French break.

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 Sir John toward the spot where they saw the Prince's banner flying. They came to

"My father speaks well," said the Prince. "Let none share our glory this day! 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 France or

Forward rolled the French in their last desperate onset; horse and foot mingled together. Forward they rolled

almost in silence, the arrows playing on their dense host, but not as they did at first, for many a quiver was

empty. Once, twice, thrice the Prince's banner bowed and lifted, and as it rose for the third time there rang out

Then England, that all these long hours had stood still, suddenly hurled herself upon the foe. Hugh, leaping

over a heap of dead and dying, saw in front of him a knight who wore a helmet shaped like a wolf's head and

had a wolf painted upon his shield. The wolf knight charged at him as though he sought him alone. An arrow

from behindit was Grey Dick'ssank 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 to his knee beneath a heavy blow that his helm

turned. He rose unhurt and rushed at the knight, who, in avoiding his onset, caught his spur on the body of a

Hugh leapt on to him, striving to thrust his sword up beneath his gorget and make an end of him.

"Pity, then," said the knight. "You are brave, would you butcher a fallen man? If you had tripped I would

have spared you. Show mercy, some day your case may be mine and it will be repaid to you."

Hugh hesitated, although now the point of his sword was through the lacing of the gorget.

"You know by what name to conjure," said Hugh doubtfully. "Well, get you gone if you can, and pray for one

The knight seemed to start, then struggled to his feet, and, seizing a loose horse by the bridle, swung himself

"Master," croaked a voice into Hugh's ear, "I've seen the swan! Follow me. My arrows are all gone, or I'd

Soon they had outrun even the slaughtering Welsh, and found themselves mingled with fugitives from the

French army. But in the gathering twilight none seemed to take any note of them. Indeed every man was

engaged in saving his own life and thought that this was the purpose of these two also. Some three hundred

yards away certain French knights, mounted, often two upon one horse, or afoot, were flying from that awful

field, striking out to the right in order to clear themselves of the cumbering horde of fugitives. One of these

knights lagged behind, evidently because his horse was wounded. He turned to look back, and a last ray from

"Look," said Dick; and Hugh saw that on the knight's shield was blazoned a white swan and that he wore

upon his helmet a swan for a crest. The knight, who had not seen them, spurred his horse, but it would not or

could not move. Then he called to his companions for help, but they took no heed. Finding himself alone, he

dismounted, hastily examined the horse's wound, and, having unbuckled a cloak from his saddle, cast down

"Thanks to God, he is mine," muttered Hugh. "Touch him not, Dick, unless I fall, and then do you take up the

So speaking he leapt upon the man out of the shadow of some thorns that grew there.

"Lift your shield and fight," said Hugh, advancing on him with raised sword. "I am Hugh de Cressi."

"Then, sir, I yield myself your prisoner," answered the knight, "seeing that you are two and I but one."

"Not so. I take no prisoners, who seek vengeance, not ransom, and least of all from you. My companion shall

not touch you unless I fall. Swift now, the light dies, and I would kill you fighting."

"And I know you," answered Hugh. "Now, no words, of them there have been enough between us," and he

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 fine swordplay about this desperate duel; the light was too low for it. They

struck and warded, that was all, while Grey Dick stood by and watched grimly. Some more fugitives came

up, but seeing that blows passed, veered off to the left, for of blows they had known enough that day. The

swan knight missed a great stroke, for Hugh leapt aside; then, as the Frenchman staggered forward, struck at

him with all his strength. The heavy sword, grasped in both hands, for Hugh had thrown aside his shield,

caught his foe where neck joins shoulder and sank through his mail deep into the flesh beneath. Down he

"Unlace his helm, Dick," grasped Hugh. "I would see his face for the last time, and if he still lives"

"By the Saints!" he said presently in a startled voice, "if this be Sir Edmund 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

"Then, in Christ's name, who are you?" asked Hugh, "that wear de Noyon's cognizance?"

"I am Pierre de la Roche, one of his knights. You have seen me in England. I was with him there, and you

made me prisoner on Dunwich heath. He bade me change arms with him before the battle, promising me

great reward, because he knew that if he were taken, Edward of England would hang him as a traitor, whereas

"Well, of a truth, you have the reward," said Dick, looking at his ghastly wound.

"I know not. He fled from the battle an hour ago with the King of France, but I who was doomed would not

"I know not. He said that if the battle went against us he would seek his castle in Italy, where Edward cannot

"A very foolish deed, for which you now pay the price," said Dick, as though to himself.

"We met in the battle and he told me," said de la Roche, speaking very slowly, for he grew weak. "Yes, he

told me and laughed. Truly we are Fate's fools, all of us," and he smiled a ghastly smile and died.

"The innocent slain," he said, "by me, and the guilty sparedby me. Oh, God! my cup is full. Take his arms,

man, that one day I may show them to Acour, 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 and part again."

Back over that fearful field, whereof the silence was broken only by the groans of the wounded and the dying,

walked Hugh and Grey Dick. They came to the great rampart of dead men and horses that surrounded the

English line, and climbed it as though it were a wall. On the further side bonfires had been lit to lighten the

darkness, and by the flare of them they saw Edward of England embracing and blessing his son, the Black

"Who were they besides, Sir Robert Fitzsimmon and Richard de Beaumont who helped you when you were

"I know not, Sire. Many, but here is one of them," and he pointed to Hugh, who just then appeared within the

"Ah!" said the King, "our young merchant of Dunwicha gallant man. Kneel you down, merchant of

Hugh knelt, and the King, taking the red sword from his hand, struck him with it on the shoulder, saying:

"Rise, Sir Hugh de Cressi, for now I give you that boon which your deathfaced servant asked before the

battle. You have served us, or rather England well, both of you. But whose armour is that the archer carries,

"Sir Edmund Acour's, lord de Noyon, Sire, only, alack! another man was within the armour."

"A strange story, Sir Hugh. It would seem that God fought against you in this matter. Also I am wroth; my

orders were that none of my men should sally out, though I fear me that you are not the only one who has

"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 my servant, Richard the archer, permission to follow after him and be

"What is this you ask, Sir Hugh? That you and your brave henchman should wander off into the depths of

France, there to perish in a dungeon or be hanged like felons? Nay, nay, we need good men and have none to

spare for private quarrels. As for this traitor, de Noyon, and his plot, that egg is broken ere it was hatched,

and we fear him no more. You follow me, Sir Hugh, and your servant with you, whom we make a captain of

our archers. Until Calais is taken, leave not our person for any cause, and ask no more such boons lest you

lose our favour. Nay, we have no more words for you since many others seek them. Stand back, Sir Hugh!

What say you, my lord of Warwick? Ay, it is a gruesome task, but let the Welshmen out, those wounded will

be well rid of their pain, and Christ have mercy on their souls. Forget not when it is finished to gather all men

Well nigh a year had gone, for once again the sun shone in the brazen August heavens. Calais had fallen at

last. Only that day six of her noblest citizens had come forth, bearing the keys of the fortress, clad in white

shirts, with ropes about their necks, and been rescued from instant death at the hands of the headsman by the

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 across the forehead, which he had come by during the siege. With him was his father,

Master de Cressi, who had sailed across from Dunwich with a cargo of provisions, whereof, if the truth were

known, he had made no small profit. For they were sold, every pound of them, before they left the ship's

"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 with me and visit you. But she answered: 'Nay, how can I who am another

man's wife? Sir Hugh, your son, should have killed the wolf and let the poor swan 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, and

that, like all Dunwich, she joys greatly in his fame and is honoured in his honour.' Moreover, to Grey Dick

here, she sends many messages, and a present of wines and spiced foods for his stomach and of six score

"Nothing, son, save her love, which she said was enough. Also, in all this press of business and in my joy at

finding you safe I had almost forgotten it, there is a letter from the holy Father, Sir Andrew. I have it

somewhere in my pouch amid the bills of exchange," and he began to hunt through the parchments which he

With what rejoicings I and another have heard of your knightly deeds through the letters that you have sent to

us and from the mouths of wounded soldiers returned from the war, your honoured father will tell you. I

thank God for them, and pray Him that this may find you unhurt and growing ever in glory.

My son, I have no good news for you. The Pope at Avignon, having studied the matter, (if indeed it ever

reached his own ears) writes by one of his secretaries to say that he will not dissolve the alleged marriage

between the Count of Noyon and the lady Eve of Clavering until the parties 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 de Noyon

lives, unless the mind of his Holiness can be changed. Should France become more quiet, so that English folk

can travel there in safety, perchance Eve and I will journey to Avignon to lay her plaint before the Holy

Father. But as yet this seems scarcely possible. Moreover, I trust that the traitor, Acour, may meet his end in

this way or in that, and so save us the necessity. For, as you know, such cases take long to try, and the cost of

them is great. Moreover, at the Court of Avignon the cause of one of our country must indeed be good just

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 that I sat with you before the walls of Calais. God's blessing and mine be on

you, and to Richard the archer, greetings. Dunwich has heard how he shot the foultongued Frenchman

before the great battle closed, and the townsfolk lit a bonfire on the walls and feasted all the archers in his

"I have found another letter," said Master de Cressi, when Hugh had finished reading, "which I remember Sir

Andrew charged me to give to you also," and he handed him a paper addressed in a large, childish hand.

"Hugh," it began simply, "Clement the Pope will not void my false marriage unless I appear before him, and

this as yet I cannot do because of the French wars. Moreover, he sets the curse of the Church upon me and

any man with whom I shall dare to remarry until this be done. For myself I would defy the Church, but not

for you or for children that might 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 make Him wroth. Therefore, Hugh, lover you are, but

husband you may not be while de Noyon lives or until the Pope gives his dispensation of divorce, which

latter may be long in winning, for the knave de Noyon has been whispering in his ear. Hugh, this is my

counsel: Get you to the King again and crave his leave to follow de Noyon, for if once you twain can come

face to face I know well how the fray will end. Then, when he is dead, return to one who waits for you

"Hugh, I am proud of your great deeds. No longer can they mock you as 'the merchant's son,' Sir Hugh. God

"I forgot to tell you that Sir Andrew is disturbed in heart. He looks into a crystal which he says he brought

with him from the East, and swears he sees strange sights there, pictures of woe such as have not been since

the beginning of the world. Of this woe he preaches to the folk of Dunwich, warning them of judgment to

come, and they listen affrighted because they know him to be a holy man who has a gift from God. Yet he

Now when he had thought awhile and hidden up Eve's letter, Hugh turned to his father and asked him what

"I heard but one of them, son," answered Master de Cressi, "though there have been three. By the Holy

Mother! it frightened me so much that I needed no more of that medicine. Nor, to tell truth, when I got home

again could I remember all he said, save that it was of some frightful ill which comes upon the world from

"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 a wizard and that his familiar brings him tidings from Cathay, where once he dwelt,

or perchance, from hell itself. These went to the bishop, who summoned Sir Andrew and was closeted with

him for three hours. Afterward he called in the complainers and bade them cease their scandal of wizardry,

since he was sure that what the holy Father said came from above and not from below. He added that they

would do well to mend their lives and prepare to render their account, as for his part he should also, since the

air was thick with doom. Then he gave his benediction to the old knight and turned away weeping, and since

that hour none talk of wizardry but all of judgment. Men in Dunwich who have quarrelled from boyhood,

forgive each other and sing psalms instead of swearing oaths, and I have been paid debts that have been

"An awesome tale, truly," said Hugh. "Yet like this bishop I believe that what Sir Andrew says will come to

That night, by special leave, Hugh waited on the King, and with him Grey Dick, who was ever his shadow.

"Sire, after the great battle, nigh upon a year ago, you told me that I must serve you till Calais fell. I have

served as best I could and Calais has fallen. Now I ask your leave to go seek my enemyand yours Sir

"Then you must go far, Sir Hugh, for I have tidings that this rogue who was not ashamed to wear another

man's armour, and so save himself from your sword, is away to Italy this six months gone, where, as the

Seigneur de Cattrina, he has estates near Venice. But tell me how things stand. Doubtless that Red Eve of

yoursstrangely enough I thought of her at Crecy when the sky grew so wondrous at nightfallis at the

"A strange case truly, Sir Hugh," said the King when he had heard it out. "I'll write to Clement for you both,

but I doubt me whether you and your Eve will get justice from him, being English. England and Englishmen

find little favour at Avignon just now, and mayhap Philip has already written on behalf of de Noyon. At the

best His Holiness will shear you close and keep you waiting while he weighs the wool. No, Red Eve is right:

this is a knot soonest severed by the sword. If you should find him, de Noyon could scarce refuse to meet

you, for you shall fight him 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 of archers for the French.

"You have leave to go, Sir Hugh, who deserve much more, having served us well," went on the King. "We'll

give you letters to Sir Geoffrey Carleon, who represents us there, and through him to the Doge. Farewell to

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 your adventures, and of how de Noyon died. The Queen will love to hear the tale, and

your nuptials and Red Eve's shall be celebrated at Westminster in our presence, for you have earned no less.

Master Secretary, get your tools, I will dictate the letters. After they are signed tomorrow, see them into the

hands of Sir Hugh, with others that I will give him for safe carriage, for alas I have creditors at Venice. Make

out an open patent also to show that he and this captain travel as our messengers, charging all that do us

Three days later Hugh and Grey Dick, in the character of royal messengers from the King of England to the

Doge of Venice, took passage in 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 letters for Eve and for Sir Andrew Arnold. Also he

received from him money in plenty for his faring, and bills of exchange upon certain merchants of Italy,

Their parting was very sad, since the prophecies of Sir Andrew had taken no small hold upon Master de

"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 heaven decrees to them; with toil and thought and fears they rear them up from

infancy, learning to love them more than their own souls, for their sakes fighting a hard world. Then the sons

go forth, north and south, and the daughters find husbands and joys and sorrows of their own, and both half

forget them, as is nature's way. Last of all those parents die, as also is nature's way, and the half forgetfulness

becomes whole as surely as the young moon grows to full. Well, well, this is a lesson that each generation

must learn in turn, as you will know ere all is done. Although you are my youngest, I'll not shame to say I

have loved you best of all, Hugh. Moreover, I've made such provision as I can for you, who have raised up

the old name to honour, and who, as I hope, will once more blend the de Cressis and the Claverings, the foes

"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, seeing that

"Ay, ay, after Eve and Eve's children. Still you'll have a kind thought for me now and then, the old merchant

who so often thwarted you when you were a wayward ladfor your own good, as he held. For what more

can a 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 he embraced him and went across the gangway, for the sailors were already

"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 his last words when there was nothing else to do. It's an ugly world as I see it, but

there's beauty in such love as this. The man for the maid and the maid for the manpish! they want each

other. But the father and the motherthey give all and take nothing. Oh, there's beauty in such love as this,

so perhaps God made it. Only, then, how did He also make Crecy Field, and Calais siege, and my black bow,

The voyage to Genoa was very long, for at this season of the year the winds were light and for the most part

contrary. At length, however, Hugh and Dick came there safe and sound. Having landed and bid farewell to

the captain and crew of the ship, they waited on the head of a great trading house with which Master de

This signor, who could speak French, gave them lodging and welcomed them well, both for the sake of

Hugh's father and because they came as messengers from the King of England. On the morrow of their arrival

he took them to a great lord in authority, who was called a Duke. This Duke, when he learned that one was a

knight and the other a captain archer of the English army and that they both had fought at Crecy, where so

many of his countrymenthe Genoese bowmenhad been slain, looked on them somewhat sourly.

Had he known all the part they played in that battle, in truth his welcome would have been rough. But Hugh,

with the guile of the serpent, told him that the brave Genoese had been slain, not by the English arrows, for

which even with their wet strings they were quite a match (here Dick, who was standing to one side grinned

faintly and stroked the case 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 that horrible and treacherous slaughter was so moving

that the Duke burst into tears and swore that he would cut the throat of every Frenchman on whom he could

After this he began to extol the merits of the crossbow as against the long arm of the English, and Hugh

agreed that there was much in what he said. But Grey Dick, who was no courtier, did not agree. Indeed, of a

sudden he broke in, offering in his bad French to fight any crossbow man in Genoa at six score yards, so

that the Duke might learn which was the better weapon. But Hugh trod on his foot and explained that he

meant something quite different, being no master of the French tongue. So that cloud passed by.

The end of it was that this Duke, or Doge, whose name they learned was Simon Boccanera, gave them safe

conduct through all his dominion, with an order for relays of horses. Also he made use of them to take a letter

to the Doge of Venice, between which town and Genoa, although they hated each 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 carry their baggage, in charge of a Genoese

guide. So they departed on their long ride of something over two hundred English miles, which they hoped to

cover in about a week. In fact, it took them ten days, for the roads were very rough and the packbeasts slow.

Once, too, after they had entered the territory of Venice, they were set on in a defile by four thieves, and

might have met their end had not Grey Dick's eyes been so sharp. As it was he saw them coming, and, having

his bow at hand, for he did not like the look of the country or its inhabitants, leaped to earth and shot two of

them with as many arrows, whereon the other two ran away. Before they went, however, they shot also and

killed a packbeast, so that the Englishmen were obliged to throw away some of their gear and go on with the

At length, on the eleventh afternoon, they saw the lovely city of Venice, sparkling like a cluster of jewels, set

upon its many islands amid the blue waters of the Adriatic. Having crossed some two miles of open water by

a ferry which plied for the convenience of travellers, they entered the town through the western gate, and

inquired as best they could (for now they had no guide, the Genoese having left them long before) for the

house of Sir Geoffrey Carleon, the English Envoy. For a long while they could make no one understand.

Indeed, the whole place seemed to be asleep, perhaps because of the dreadful heat, which lay over it like a

Perplexed and outworn, at last Hugh produced a piece of gold and held it before a number of men who were

watching them idly, again explaining in French 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 of the fellows ran forward

quarrelling with each other, till one of them getting the mastery, seized Hugh's tired horse by the bridle and

Here he called something aloud, and presently two men appeared rowing a large, flatbottomed punt from a

dock where it was hidden. Into this boat the horses and packbeast were driven, much against their will.

Hugh and Dick having followed them, the three Italians began to punt them along the canal, which was

bordered with tall houses. A mile or so farther on it entered another canal, where the houses were much finer

and built in a style of which they had never seen the like, with beautiful and fantastic arches supported upon

At length to their great joy they came opposite to a house over the gateway of which, stirless in the still air,

hung a flag whereon were blazoned the leopards of England. Here the boatmen, pulling in their poles, save

one to which they made the punt fast in midstream, showed by their gestures that they desired to be paid.

Hugh handed the piece of gold to the man who had led them to the boat, whereon he was seized with a fit of

uncontrollable fury. He swore, he raved, he took the piece of gold and cast it down on the bilgeboards, he

"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 struck him in the face; while another strove to snatch away the pouch that hung at

Now Grey Dick awoke, as it were. To the man who had tried to take his pouch he dealt such a buffet that he

plunged into the canal. But him who had struck him he seized by the arm and twisted it till the knife fell from

his hand. Then gripping his neck in an iron grasp he forced him downward and rubbed his nose backward and

forward upon the rough edge of the boat, for the Italian was but as a child to him when he put out his

In vain did his victim yell for mercy. He showed him none, till at length wearying of the game, he dealt him

such a kick that he also flew over the thwarts to join his fellowbully 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, he whom they had first met, sheathed his knife. With many bows and cringes he

pulled up the pole and pushed the punt to the steps of the house over which the flag hung, where people were

"Does Sir Geoffrey Carleon dwell here?" asked Hugh in a loud voice, whereon a gentleman with a pale face

and a grizzled beard who appeared to be sick, for he was leaning on a staff, hobbled from out the porch,

"Ay, ay, that is my name. Who are you that make this tumult at my gates? Another turbulent Englishman, I'll

"Ay, sir, an Englishman called Sir Hugh de Cressi, and his companion, Richard the Archer, whom these

"Your pardon if I spoke roughly, Sir Hugh, but we poor Envoys have to do with many rufflers from our own

land. Enter, I pray you. My servants will see to your gear and horses. But first, what is the trouble between

"Ah!" he said, "a common trick with foreigners. Well for you that night had not fallen, since otherwise they

might have rowed you up some back waterway and there done you to death. The canals of Venice hide the

traces of many such foul deeds. Mother of Heaven!" he added, "why, this boatman is none other than

Giuseppe, the noted bravo," and he turned and in Italian bade his servants seize the man.

But Giuseppe had heard enough. Springing into the water he swam like a duck for the farther bank of the

"He's gone," said Sir Geoffrey, "and as well hunt with a lantern for a rat in a sewer as for him. Well, we have

his boat, which shall be sent to the magistrate with letters of complaint. Only, Sir Hugh, be careful to wear

mail when you walk about at night, lest that villain and his mates should come to collect their fare with a

stiletto. Now, enter and fear not for your goods. My folk are honest. God's name! how fearful is this heat.

An hour later and Hugh, clad in fresh garments of sweet linen, bathed and shaved, sat at table in a great, cool

room with Sir Geoffrey and his lady, a middleaged and anxiousfaced woman, while Grey Dick ate at a

"I have read the letters which concern the business of his Grace the King," said Sir Geoffrey, who was toying

languidly with some Southern fruits, for he would touch no meat. "They have to do with moneys that his

Grace owes to great bankers of this city but does not yet find it convenient to discharge. I have seen their like

before, and tomorrow must deal with them as best I mayno pleasant business, for these usurers grow

urgent," and he sighed. "But," he added, "the King says that you, Sir Hugh de Cressi, whom he names his

'brave, trusty and most well beloved knight and companion in war,'" and he bowed courteously to Hugh,

"have another business which he commands me to forward by every means in my power, and that without

"It is set out, Sir Geoffrey, in a letter from his Grace to the Doge of Venice, which I am to ask you to deliver.

"By St. Mark,he's the right saint to swear by in Venice"he exclaimed when he had finished, "this is a

strange affair. You have travelled hither to offer single combat to Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon and

Seigneur of Cattrina. The Doge is urged by his friendship to the throne of England to bring about this combat

to the death, seeing that de Noyon has broken his oath of homage, has plotted to overthrow King Edward, has

fought against him and that therefore you are his Grace's champion as well 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 he scarce

dare do otherwise who wishes no quarrel with our country just now when it is victorious. Also this de Noyon,

whom we call Cattrina here, has allied himself with certain great men of the Republic, with whom he is

connected by blood, who are secret enemies to the Doge. Through them he strives to stir up trouble between

Venice and England, and to raise mercenaries to serve the flag of France, as did the Genoese, to their sorrow.

Therefore I think that in the Doge you will find a friend. I think also that the matter, being brought forward

with such authority, the Seigneur de Cattrina will scarcely care to refuse your challenge if you can show that

you have good cause for quarrel against him, since in such affairs the Venetians are punctilious. But now tell

"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, setting out the heads of the matter and asking

audience. The messenger shall leave ere I sleep, if sleep I may in this heat. Bide you here and talk with my

lady, if it so pleases you, for I would show you my letter ere we bid goodnight, and the thing is pressing. We

How long is it since you have seen England, Sir Hugh?" asked Dame Carleon languidly.

"Some eighteen months, lady, although in truth it seems more, for many things have happened to me in that

"Eighteen months only! Why, 'tis four long years since I looked upon the downs of Sussex, which are my

"Because they are done, Sir Hugh. Oh, in my heart I feel that they are done. That should not grieve me, since

my only child is buried in this glittering, southern city whereof I hate the sounds and sights that men call so

beautiful. Yet I would that I might have been laid at last in the kind earth of Sussex where for generations my

"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 she led him to the broad balcony of the chamber and pointed to long lines of

curious mist which in the bright moonlight they could see creeping toward Venice from the ocean, although

"Those fogs are unnatural," she went on. "At this season of the year there should be none, and these come,

not from the lagoons, but up from the sea where no such vapours were ever known to rise. The physicians say

that they foretell sickness, whereof terrible rumours have for some time past reached us from the East, though

"The East is a large place, where there is always sickness, lady, or so I have heard."

"Ay, ay, it is the home of Death, and I think that he travels to us thence. And not only I, not only I; half the

As she spoke, the sound of solemn chanting broke upon Hugh's ear. Nearer it grew, and nearer, till presently

there emerged from a side street a procession of black monks who bore in front of them a crucifix of white

ivory. Along the narrow margin which lay between the houses and the canal they marched, followed by a

"It is a dirge for the dead that they sing," said Dame Carleon, "and yet they 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 must

bide here because of his creditors. So here we bide for good and all. Hush! I hear my husband coming; say

"Truly that lady has a cheerful mind," grumbled Grey Dick, when she had gone, leaving them alone upon the

balcony. "Ten minutes more of her and I think I should go hang myself, or squat upon these stones and howl

Hugh made no answer, for he was thinking of his father's tale of the prophecies 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 he too

"Bah!" he said presently, "this place stinks foully. It puts me in mind of some woman, most beauteous indeed,

On the following morning, while they sat at breakfast, there came a messenger from the Doge of Venice,

whose name Hugh learned was Andrea Dandolo, bearing a letter sealed with a great seal. This letter, when

opened, was found to be from some high officer. It stated that the Doge would hold a Court at noon, after

which it was his pleasure to receive the English knight who came as a messenger from the mighty monarch,

King Edward, and to talk with him on matters set out in the letter of Sir Geoffrey Carleon. The writing added

that the Seigneur of Cattrina, who in France was known as the Count de Noyon and in England as Sir

Edmund Acour, would be present at the Court and doubtless ready to answer all questions that might be put

"Yes, master," put in Dick, "but you've done that several times before and always ended back to back. Pray

Then he turned and went to clean his master's armour, for in this martial dress, notwithstanding the great heat,

Hugh determined to appear before the Doge. It was good armour, not that, save for the sword, which Sir

Arnold had given him, whereat the Court at Windsor had laughed as out of date, but mail of a newer fashion,

some of it, from the bodies of knights 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 an occasion, seeing that it was marked with

many a battle dint and that right across the Cressi cognizance, which Hugh had painted on his shield after he

was knighteda golden star rising from an argent oceanwas a scar left by the battleaxe of a Calais

manatarms. Moreover Hugh, or rather Dick, took with him other armour, namely, that of the knight, Sir

Pierre de la Roche, whom Hugh had killed at Crecy thinking that he was Edmund Acour, whose mail Pierre

For the rest, Dick clad himself in his uniform of a captain of archers of King Edward's guard, wearing a green

tunic over his mail shirt, and a steellined cap from which rose a heron's plume, pinned thereto with his

All being ready they started in a painted barge, accompanied by Sir Geoffrey Carleon, who wore his velvet

robe of office, and grumbled at its weight and warmth. A row of some fifteen minutes along the great canal

brought them to a splendid portal upon the mole, with marble steps. Hence they were conducted by guards

across a courtyard, where stood many gaily dressed people who watched them curiously, especially Grey

Dick, whose pale, sinister face caused them to make a certain sign with their fingers, to avert the evil eye, as

Sir Geoffrey explained to them. Leaving this courtyard they went up more steps and along great corridors

into the finest apartment that they had ever seen. It was a glitter of gold and marble, and rich with paintings.

Here on a kind of throne sat the Doge Dandolo, an imperiallooking man, magnificently attired. Guards

stood like statues behind him, while in front, talking together and moving from place to place, were gathered

all the great nobles of Venice, with their beauteous ladies. From time to time the Doge summoned one or

other of these, who was called to him by a blackrobed secretary. Advancing with bows the courtier talked to

As the Englishmen entered this hall a herald called their names thus from a written slip of paper:

"The Cavalier Geoffrey Carleon, Ambassador of England. The Cavalier Hugh de Cressi, Messenger from the

Now all talk was hushed and every eye turned to scan these strangers of whose business, it would seem,

"A fine man," said one lady to another of Hugh, "but why does he come here in dinted armour?"

"Oh! he is English and the English are barbarians who like to be ready to 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, and

Fortunately neither Hugh nor Dick understood these and other such sayings which Sir Geoffrey repeated to

them afterward and therefore walked on with their host unconcerned. Once, however, Grey Dick nudged his

"Be glad, our man is here. It is he who mocks us to those popinjays. Nay, turn not to look; you will see plenty

Now they stood before the chair of state, from which the Doge rose, and advanced two steps to greet the

Ambassador of England. When these courtesies were over Sir Geoffrey presented Hugh to him, to whom he

bowed, and Dick, whose salute he acknowledged with a wave of his jewelled hand. Afterward they talked, all

crowding round to listen, Sir Geoffrey himself, who spoke Italian well, acting as the interpreter.

"You come hither, Cavalier de Cressi," said the Doge, "on behalf of his royal Grace, King Edward, who

speaks of you in his letter in terms of which any knight may well be proud. We understand that this captain

with you is your companion," and he glanced curiously at Dick out of the corners of his dark eyes, adding, "If

those are gifts which he bears in that leathern sack and the long case in his hand, let our servants relieve him

"Let his servants leave me alone," growled Grey Dick when this was translated. "Say to this fine lord, Sir

Knight, that the gifts in the sack are not for him, and that which the case scatters he would scarcely care to

Sir Geoffrey made some explanation in a low voice, and with a smile the Doge waved the matter by, then

"Will the noble cavalier be so good as to set out his business, unless it is for our private ear alone?"

Hugh answered that it was for the public ear of all Venice, and especially for that of the lord who was called

Sir Edmund Acour in England, the Count de Noyon in France, and the Seigneur of Cattrina in Italy.

"Will you pleased to point out this lord to us," said the Doge, glancing at the gorgeous throng which was

"I cannot, illustrious Doge," answered Hugh, "that is, with certainty. As it chances I have seen his face but

twiceonce in a marsh when I had other things to think of who must watch my enemy's sword, and once at

eve in the corner of a dark chapel, where he had just gone through the rite of marriage with a lady whom he

had drugged, which lady was my affianced wife. Often afterward I sought to see that face, especially in the

great fray of Crecy, but failed, in a case which with your leave I will narrate to you."

Now when all that company understood the meaning of these outspoken words, they swayed to and fro and

whispered like reeds in an evening wind. Presently above this whispering a soft yet penetrating voice was

"If this English knight desires to study the poor face of Acour, de Noyon, and Cattrina, he who owns it is

So saying a tall and noblelooking man, who wore the badge of a white swan worked in pearls upon his rich

tunic, stepped forward out of the ring of courtiers and bowed, first to the Doge and next to Hugh.

De Cressi looked at his handsome face with its quick dark eyes and little, squarecut, black beard, and

"I thank you, Sir Edmund Acour, for I take it you are he. Now I shall never forget you again, for though a

man may shift his armour he cannot change his countenance"a saying at which de Noyon coloured a little

"Cavalier de Cressi, he whom you seek is before you; we ourselves vouch for his identity," said the Doge.

"My private case I thrust to one side," answered Hugh, Sir Geoffrey interpreting all the time, "for it is a

matter between this Count, a certain lady and myself, and can wait. That which I have to lay before you,

Illustrious, has to do with my master the King of England, as whose champion I am here today. I accuse this

lord of the three names of black treachery to his august liege, Edward, all details of which treason I am

prepared to furnish, and on behalf of that most puissant monarch I challenge him to single combat, as I am

"Why should I fight the King of England's bravoes?" inquired Acour in a languid voice of those who stood

"If the charge of treason is not sufficient," went on Hugh, "I'll add to it one of cowardice. At the battle of

Crecy, as a man here will bear me witness," and he pointed to Dick, "I overcame in single combat a knight

who wore upon his shield the cognizance of a wolf and on his helm a wolf's head, which were the arms of Sir

Pierre de la Roche. At this knight's prayer I spared his life, for that day we took no prisoners, and let him go.

Afterward I fought with another knight carrying the cognizance of a white swan, the arms of the Count de

Noyon, and slew him in fair and single fight. But before he died he told me that he bore that armour by

command of his lord, the Count de Noyon, and that the said Count fought that day in his mail because he

feared the vengeance of the King of England and my own. Thus it came about that the Wolf who fought paid

the price for the Swan who fled away, hid in the armour of his friend, whom he left to die for him."

There followed a great silence, for all those noble lords and ladies who thought little of treason, which to

most of them was a very familiar thing, were not a little stirred by this tale of cowardice and false arms. The

"Noble Cattrina, you have heard the story of the English knight. What do you answer to it?"

"Only that it is a lie, Illustrious, like everything else that he has told us," replied Acour with a shrug of his

"You said that you had a witness, Cavalier de Cressi," said the Doge. "Where is he?"

Dick obeyed, and in his low, rasping voice, with more detail than Hugh had given, set out the story of those

two combats at Crecy, of the sparing of the wolf knight and the slaying of the swan knight.

"I say that the man lies even better than his master," answered Acour coolly, 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 de Noyon 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 of Cattrina in full particular. He added that, to his knowledge, these were borne

Now while all wondered what this talk might mean, the Doge and Acour most of any, although the latter

grew uneasy, fearing he knew not what, Hugh whispered to Dick. Then Dick loosed the mouth of the leather

sack he carried, and out of it tumbled on to the marble floor a whole suit of bloodstained armour.

"Off the body of the night, Sir Pierre de la Roche, whom you slew at Crecy. I stripped him of them myself."

"Whose crest and cognizance are these, herald?" asked Hugh again, lifting the helm and shield and holding

"Without doubt," he said slowly, "they are those of the lord of Cattrina. Moreover," he added, "five years ago

I limned yonder swan upon this very shield with my own hand. I did it as a favour to Cattrina there, who said

Now the silence grew intense, so much so that the rustle of a lady's dress sounded loud in the great hall.

"I say that there is some mistake, Illustrious. Even if there were none," he added slowly, "for their own good

"There is no mistake!" cried Hugh in a ringing voice. "This signor of so many names is a signor of many

coats also, which he can change to save his skin. He wore that of Sir Pierre de la Roche to protect himself

from the vengeance of the King of England and of the English squire whom he had wronged. He took mercy

from the hand of that squire, who, as he knew well, would have shown him none had he guessed the truth. He

left the poor knight, whom he had bribed to be his double, to die beneath that same squire's hand who thought

him named de Noyon. Therefore the blood of this de la Roche is on his head. Yet these are small matters of

private conduct, and one that is greater overtops them. This false lord, as Sir Edmund Acour, swore fealty to

Edward of England. Yet while he was bound by that sacred oath he plotted to depose Edward and to set up on

"The King of England learned of that plot through me, and gave me charge to kill or capture the traitor. But

when we came face to face in a consecrated church where I thought it sacrilege to draw sword, he, who had

just done me bitter wrong, stayed not to answer the wrong. He slunk away into the darkness, leaving me

felled by a treacherous blow. Thence he fled to France and stirred up war against his liege lord under the

Oriflamme of King Philip. Now that this banner is in the dust he has fled 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 returned to me

an insolent answer that he did not fight with merchants' sonshe who could take mercy from the hand of a

"Now that for deeds done a King has made me knight, and now that this King under his seal and sign has

named me his champion, in your presence, Illustrious, and in that of all your Court, I challenge Cattrina again

to single combat to the death with lance and sword and dagger. Yes, and I name him coward and scullion if

he refuses this, King Edward's gage and mine," and drawing the gauntlet from his left hand, Hugh cast it

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's robeit was

that of Father Nicholas, the secretary who had brewed Red Eve's potionglided 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 the champion of our ally, the King of

"I, Illustrious?" he answered in his rich voice, drawling out his words like one who is weary. "Oh, of course, I

say that if yon brawler wishes to find a grave in fair Venice, which is more than he deserves, I am not the

"As the ambassador of that King I protest," broke in Sir Geoffrey. "It is an insult that such a word should be

"I accept the protest of his Excellency, who forgot his noble presence," replied Cattrina bowing back. "Seeing

that his King, who is not a cutthroat"here a titter of laughter went through the company, though it was

evident from the frown upon his face that the Doge liked the jest 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 gentlemen in England."

Again the company tittered, though Dick's grey face turned scarlet and he bit upon his pale lip until the blood

"As you accept the challenge," broke in the Doge shortly, "cease from gibes, my lord, which more befit an

angry woman's mouth than that of one whose life is about to be put to hazard, and take up the gage of his

Cattrina looked round and bade a page who waited on his person obey the Doge'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 his useful 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 Grey Dick could contain himself no

"Ay, Sir Cheat and Traitor," he said in his hissing voice. "The vat in which it has been dipped was that of the

lifeblood of your dupe, Sir Pierre de la Roche, and of many a nobler Norman. Oh, did we not stand where

we do I'd thrust it down your false throat, and with it twist out your slanderous tongue."

"Peace, peace!" cried the Doge, while those present who understood English translated Dick's wild words to

their neighbours, and Cattrina laughed mockingly at the success of his sneer. "Have I not said that such words

are unseemly? Ah! I thought it; well, my lord, you have brought it on yourself."

For while he spoke, the page, a mincing young man tied up with bows and ribbon like a woman, had lifted

the glove. Holding it between his thumb and forefinger, he returned it to Hugh with a low, mock bow, being

careful as he did so, as all might see, to tread upon Dick's foot and hustle him. Next moment two things

happened. The first was that, dropping his cased bow, Grey Dick seized that young in his iron grip and hurled

him into the air so that he fell heavily on the marble floor and lay there stunned, the blood running from his

nose and mouth. The second was that, seizing his gauntlet, Hugh strode to where Cattrina stood, and struck

With an oath Cattrina drew his sword and out flashed Hugh's in answer, as he cried:

"Is this a place for brawling?" cried Dandolo in wrath, adding: "Yet I cannot blame the Englishmen

overmuch, seeing that they were sore affronted, 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 allblood so hot had best

be quickly cooled lest one or other of these knights should take a fever. Moreover, the noble Cattrina has but

today asked my leave to ride from Venice tomorrow, having urgent business at Avignon at the Court of

Pope Clement. So I decree that this combat � outrance shall take place in our presence on the Campo del

Marte tomorrow, three hours before noon, ere the sun grows too hot. To all the details of the combat our

heralds will attend forthwith. Officer, take soldiers and escort the Ambassador and the Champion of his

Grace of England, together with this Captain of Archers, back to their own door. Set guards there and see that

none molest them by word or deed under pain of fine and strait imprisonment. Sir Geoffrey Carleon, your

requests are granted; be pleased to write it to the most puissant Edward, whom you serve, and for this time

fare you well. Why, what is it, Captain Ambrosio?" he added irritably, addressing a rawboned,

lanternjawed giant of a man clad in the splendid uniform of the Guard who stepped before his throne and

"Most Illustrious," said Ambrosio, in bad, guttural Italian, "my mother was a Swiss."

"Very Illustrious," replied the captain in his hollow voice, "the Swiss are brave and do not swallow insults.

That lad whom the Englishman kicked, or smote, or tossed like a bull," and he pointed to the poor page, who,

still senseless, was being carried from the hall, "is my youngest brother, who resembles our Venetian father

"We see it, we see it. Indeed are you sure that the father was" and the Doge checked himself. "The

"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 fight him tomorrow when the lord Cattrina fights his master," and advancing toward

"What is it he wants?" asked Grey Dick, staring up at the great fellow with a look in his eyes that caused

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 or with the axe and dagger, or with all three. Then we will see whether he beats

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 much earnestness prayed him have nothing

to do with arrows. They pointed out that there his bulk would put him at a disadvantage, especially in dealing

with an English archer who had an eye like a snake and a face like that of death itself.

In short, one and all they recommended the battleaxe and the dagger as his most appropriate

weaponssince his adversary refused swords. The battleaxe with which to knock him down, as he could

When this was explained to Grey Dick he assented to the proposal with a 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, he

stretched out his hand to seal the bargain, which, incautiously enough, the huge, halfbreed Swiss accepted.

Dick's grasp, indeed, was so firm and long that presently the giant was observed first to move uneasily,

"The matter is," he groaned, as Dick let go, "that this son of Satan has a blacksmith's vise in place of a hand,"

and he showed his great fingers, from beneath the nails of which the blood was oozing.

His Venetian companions of the Guard looked at them, then they looked at Grey Dick and gave him a wide

berth. Also Ambrosio said something about having offered to fight a man and not a fiend. But it was too late

to retract, for the Doge, taking, as was natural, no share in this small matter, had already left his throne.

Then, escorted by Sir Geoffrey and the city Guards, Hugh and Grey Dick passed through that splendid

company away home to dinner, Dick carrying his bowcase in one hand and the sack of armour which de

In the midst of dead silence, they departed, for now no one seemed to find either of them a fit subject for jest.

Indeed there were some who said, as they watched the pair pass the door, that Cattrina and the giant would do

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 movements

"You arrange badly," he said in a voice quite devoid of its ordinary melodious tones. "Everything goes

wrong. How is it you did not know that this accursed Englishman and his Death'shead were coming here?

What is the use of a spy who never spies? Man, they should have been met upon the road, for who can be

held answerable for what brigands do? Or, at the least, I might have started for Avignon two days earlier."

"Am I omnipotent, lord, that I should be held able to read the minds of men in far countries and to follow

their footsteps?" asked the aggrieved Nicholas. "Still it might have been guessed that this bulldog of a Briton

would hang to your heels till you kick out his brains or he pulls you down. Bah! the sight of that archer, who

cannot miss, always gives me a cold pain in the stomach, as though an arrow point were working through

my vitals. I pity yonder poor fool of a Swiss tomorrow, for what chance has he against a fisheyed wizard?"

"Ten thousand curses on the Swiss!" said Acour. "He thrust himself into the affair and will deserve all he

gets. I pity myself. You know I am no coward, as not a few have learned before today, but I have little luck

against this Englishman. I tell you that there at Crecy I went down before him like a ninepin, and he spared

my life. My God! he spared my life, being a fool like all his breed. And now the tale is known against me and

that of the changed armour, too. Why could not de la Roche die without 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 tomorrow, since he's set for no fancy tilting with waving of ladies' kerchiefs and tinsel

crowns of victory, and so forth. Merchant bred or not, he is a sturdy fighter, as we all learned in France.

Moreover, his heart is full with 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 then croak disaster in my ears? Look you,

priest, I must come through this game unharmed. Death is a companion I do not seek just yet, who have too

much to live forpower and wealth and high renown, if my plans succeed; and as you should know, they are

well laid. Moreover, there is that English 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 hate than the love of any other woman on the earth.

Now, too, the Pope has summoned me to Avignon, and her also, to lay our causes before him. Being bold,

mayhap she will come, for his Holiness has sent her safeconduct under his own hand. Nor has he

mentioned for I saw a copy of the briefthat the same business will take me to Avignon about this time.

Well, if she comes she will not go away again alone; the French roads are too rough for ladies to travel

unescorted. And if she does not come, at least our marriage will be declared valid and I'll take her when and

"Only then, lord, you must not die, nor even be wounded, tomorrow. It is the Englishman who should die,

for whatever the Pope may decree I think that while de Cressi lives the slumbrous eyes of that Eve of yours

will find a way to charm you to a sleep that has no wakening. She is not a fairhaired toy that weeps, forgets

and at last grows happy in her babe. She's a woman to make men or break them. Oh, when her sense came

back to her, for a flash she looked me cold yonder in that English chapel, and it seemed to me that God's

"You've caught the terror, Nicholas, like so many just now in Venice. Why, today I've not met a man or

woman who is not afraid of something, they know not whatsave the Englishman and his death's head. I

think 'tis the unwholesome air of this strange season, and all the signs and omens we hear of on every side

"Yes, I've the terror," said Nicholas with something like a groan. "Every sin I ever didand most of them

have been for you, lordseems to haunt my sleep. Yes, and to walk with me when I wake, preaching woe at

"Yet, Nicholas, I think that you must add one more to their count, or a share of it, which should weigh light

among so many. Either I or de Cressi must pack for our last journey, and if we meet face to face tomorrow,

"Lord, lord, you cannot fly! He is King Edward's champion, so proclaimed before all whose names are

written in the Golden Book of Venice. He would cry your shame in every Court, and so would they. There's

not a knight in Europe but would spit upon you as a dastard, or a common wench but would turn you her

"Nay, fool, but he can dieand before tomorrow. What makes your brain so dull, Nicholas? It is not its

"Ah, I seenot flight, murder. I had forgotten; it is not a usual sauce to a banquet of honour even in Italy,

and therefore, perhaps, the safer to serve. But how is it to be done? Poison? He is in Carleon's house; Carleon

has faithful servants. Though perhaps a basket of rare fruitsbut then he might not eat them; those

Englishmen live mostly on halfraw 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 they offended none besides myself and the Swiss?"

"Now that you mention it, lord, they have. There is a certain boatman and bravo called Giuseppe. With him

and his mates they quarrelled about their fare and threw them into the canal in front of the ambassador's

house, just because they drew a knife or two. A woman I know told me of it. He's a great villain, this

Giuseppe, who would do anything for ten pieces, also revengeful and a hater of cold water."

"Send for him, Nicholas, or send this woman to himthat may be safer. Ten pieces! I'll pay him fifty."

"Ay, lord, but the Englishman may not give him a chance. Only fools would go out walking in Venice along

after dark if they should happen to 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 great fools. They might stroll abroad to see the

"Try, Nicholas, try as you never tried before. Succeed, too, lest you and I should part company and you never

The afternoon of the day of their reception by the Doge was well filled for Hugh and Dick. Scarcely had they

eaten with their host when the Marshal and his officers arrived with the articles of the Morrow's combat very

fully drawn up, each of which must be considered with the help of Sir Geoffrey Carleon, lest they should hide

some trick, before they confirmed them with their signatures. Not that Hugh was over anxious about the

details. As he said to Sir Geoffrey, all he sought was to come face to face with his enemy, even if he had but a

At length these articles were signed and the Marshal departed with his fee, 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

choose one of them as his war steed for the morrow, since the beast he had ridden to Venice was in no

condition to bear a fullarmed knight. In the end he selected a grey gelding, quiet of temperament and rather

heavy of build, which it was reported had been used by its former owner in several tournaments and there

borne itself handsomely. This done, well or ill, his armour must be seen to, and Dick's also, such as it was; his

lance tested, and all their other weapons sharpened on a whetstone that Sir Geoffrey borrowed. For this was a

At length all was prepared as well as possible in such haste, and they went to supper with Lady Carleon, who,

now she understood that they were to fight for their lives on the morrow, was more mournful even than she

had been on the previous night. When at last she asked what they desired as to their funerals and if they had

any tokens to be sent to friends in England, Hugh, whose thoughts were already sad enough, could bear no

more of it. So he rose, saying that he would seek Sir Geoffrey, who was already in his cabinet engaged upon

a letter to King Edward descriptive of these events and other business. But when they were out of the room he

said that he must have fresh air or he would faint, which was not strange, seeing that heat prevailed on this

"Whither shall we go?" asked Dick, mopping his brow. "Guards stand at the door and, I doubt, will not let us

"I wish to see the place where we are to fight tomorrow," answered Hugh, "so as to form my judgment of it,

At this moment an English lad of Sir Geoffrey's household chanced to pass by, having come to ask as to the

feeding of the horse which Hugh should ride. Dick caught him by the arm and asked whether he could get

them out of the house secretly, so that the Guards would not see them, and conduct them to the spot called the

The lad, whose name was David Day, replied somewhat doubtfully that he could do so by a back door near

the kitchen, and guide them also, but that they must protect him from the anger of Sir Geoffrey. This Hugh

promised to do. So presently they started, carrying their weapons, but wearing no mail because of the intense

heat, although Dick reminded his master how they had been told that they should not venture forth without

"I have a sword and you have bow and axe," answered Hugh, "so we'll risk it. In leatherlined mail we

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 these were to be found. Slipping out quite unobserved by the kitchen door

into a little courtyard, they passed into an unlighted back street through a postern gate whereof the lad had the

key. At the end of the street they came to a canal, where David, who talked Italian perfectly, hailed a boat,

into which they entered without exciting remark. For this sharp youth pointed to their cloaks and told the

On they rowed down the silent lanes of water, through the slumbrous city of palaces, turning here, turning

there, till soon they lost all knowledge of the direction in which they headed. At length David whispered 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 steps or beneath the

porticoes of their houses gasping for air, and the passersby on the rivas or footwalks that bordered the

canals. At a sign from David the boat turned inward and grated against the steps of a marble quay. He paid

the boatman, who seemed to have no energy left to dispute the fare, telling him in the same low voice that if

he cared to wait he might perhaps row them back within an hour or so. Then they climbed steps and entered a

narrow street where there was no canal, on either side of which stood tall houses or dark frowning gateways.

Just as they stepped into the shadow of this street they heard the prow of another boat grate against the

marble steps behind them and caught the faint sound of talk, apparently between their rower and others in the

"Forward, Sir Hugh," said Day a little nervously. "This part of Venice has no good name, for many wicked

So they stepped out briskly, and when they were about halfway down the street heard other steps behind

them. They turned and looked back through the gloom, whereon the sound of the following steps died away.

They pushed on again, and so, unless the echo deceived them, did those quick, stealthy steps. Then, as though

by common consent, though no one gave 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 of the great moon, that broke suddenly

through the veil of cloud or mist. Again, as though by common consent, they wheeled round, Hugh drawing

his sword, and perceived emerging from the street six or seven cloaked fellows, who, on catching sight of the

"Thieves, I think," answered David, even more nervously than before, adding, "but if so, we are safe from

"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 found themselves, which Day told them

was that Place of Arms where they must fight on the morrow. It was large and level, having been used as a

drilling ground for generations. Perhaps it measured four hundred yards square, and almost in the centre of it

rose a stand of painted timber roofed with canvas, and ornamented with gilded flagstaffs, from which hung

banners. On this stand, David said, the Doge and nobles would take their seats to see the fray, for in front of it

They walked up and down the course taking note of everything, and especially of how the sun would shine

upon them and the foothold of the soil, which appeared to be formed of fine, trodden sand.

"I ask no better ground to fight on," said Hugh at length, "though it is strange to think," he added with a sigh,

"Ay," answered Dick, who alone seemed untouched by the melancholy of that night. "Here will die the knave

with three names and the big fool of a halfbred Swiss, and descend to greet their ancestors in a place that is

even hotter than this Venice, with but a sorry tale to tell them. By St. George! I wish it were nine of the clock

"Brag not, Dick," said Hugh with a sad smile, "for war is an uncertain game, and who knows which of us will

be talking with his ancestors and praying the mercy of his Maker by this time tomorrow night?"

Then, having learned all they could, they walked across the ground to the quay that bordered it on the

seaward side. Here, as they guessed from the stone pillars to which ships were made fast, was one of the

harbours of Venice, although as it happened none lay at that quay this night. Yet, as they looked they saw one

"Never knew I vessel make harbour in such a fashion," exclaimed Dick presently. "See! she sails stern first."

Hugh studied her and saw that she was a great, decked galley of many oars, such as the Venetians used in

trading to the East, highbowed and pooped. But the strange thing was that none worked these oars, which,

although they were lashed, swung to and fro aimlessly, some yet whole and some with their blades broken off

and their shafts bundles of jagged splinters. Certain sails were still set on the ship's mast, in tatters for the

most part, though a few remained sound, and it was by these that she moved, for with the moonrise a faint

wind had sprung up. Lastly, she showed no light at peak or poop, and no sound of officer's command or of

boatswain's whistle came from her deck. Only slowly and yet as though of set purpose she drifted in toward

Those who watched her, sailors such as ever linger about harbours seeking their bread from the waters,

though among these were mingled people from the town who had come to this open place to escape the heat,

began to talk together affrightedly, but always in the dread whisper that was the voice of this fearful knight.

"She's no ship," said one, "she's the wraith of a ship. When I was a lad I saw such a craft in the Indian seas,

"Pshaw!" answered another, "she's a ship right enough. Look at the weed and barnacles on her sides when she

"Yes," said a third, "and how could she win through all the secret channels without a pilot?"

"What use would be a pilot," said a fourth, "if there are none to work the rudder and shift the sails? Do I not

"At least she is coming straight to the quay," exclaimed a fifth, "though what sends her Satan alone knows,

for the tide is slack and this wind would scarce move a sponge boat. Stand by with the hawser, or she'll swing

So they talked, and all the while the great galley drifted onward with a slow, majestic motion, her decks hid

in shadow, for a sail cut off the light of the low moon from them. Presently, too, even this was gone, for the

Then of a sudden a meteor blazed out in the sky, such a meteor as no living man had ever seen in Venice, for

the size of it was that of the sun. It seemed to rise out of the ocean to the east and to travel very slowly across

the whole arc of the firmament till at last it burst with a terrible noise over the city and vanished. While it

shone, the light it gave was that of midday, only pale blue in colour, turning all it touched to a livid and

It showed the placid sea and fish leaping on its silver face halfa mile or more away. It showed the distant

land with every rock and house and bush. It showed the wharf and the watchers on it; among them Hugh

noted a 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 the lines of caulking on her deck. Oh, and now they saw the rowers, for

they lay in heaps about the oars. Some of them even hung over these limply, moving to and fro as they

swung, while others were stretched upon the benches as though they slept. They were dead all dead; the

wind following the meteor and blowing straight on shore told them that they were certainly all dead. Three

Nay, not all, for now on the high poop stood a single figure who seemed to wear a strange red headdress,

and about his shoulders a black robe. Straight and silent he stood, a very fearful figure, and in his hand a coil

of rope. The sight of him sent those watchers mad. They ceased from their whisperings, they raved aloud.

"It is Satan!" they shouted, "Satan, who comes to drag the folk of Venice down to hell. Kill him ere he lands.

Even Grey Dick went mad like a dog when he meets a ghost. His pale hair rose upon his head, his cold, quiet

eyes started. He set an arrow on the string of the black bow, drew it to his ear and loosed at the figure on the

poop. But that arrow never left the string; it shattered to flinders where it was and fell tinkling to the marble

floor. Only the barb of it turned and wounded Grey Dick in the chin, yes, and stuck there for a while, for his

"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 to consider the matter. Only, as it seemed to him, he who stood on the poop of the

Unheeding of the clamour, this man upon the poop suddenly lifted the coil 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 one mortal

could handle it. Yet it shot from him till it stood out stiff as an iron bar. Yes, and the noose fell over one of

the stone posts on the quay, and caught there. Now the rope grew straighter still, stretching and groaning like

a thing in pain as it took the weight of the great, drifting ship. She stayed; she swung round slowly and

ranged herself broadside on against the quay as a berthed ship does. Then down the ladder on her side came

the Man. Deliberately he set his whitesandalled feet upon the quay, advanced a few paces into the full light

of the bright moon and stood still as though to suffer himself to be seen of every eye.

Truly he was worth the seeing. Hugh noted his garments first, and particularly the headdress, which caught

his glance and held it, for never had he known such a one before. It was a cap fitting tight to the skull, only

running across the crown of it was a stiff raised ridge, of leather perhaps, jagged and pointed something like

the comb of a cock. This comb, of brilliant red, was surmounted at its highest point by a ball 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

Such was the headdress. The broad shoulders beneath were covered with a cape of long and glossy fur

blacker than coal, on to either shoulder of which drooped earrings made of rings of green stone which

afterward Hugh came to know was jade. The cape of fur, which hung down to the knees and was set over a

kind of surplice of yellow silk, was open in front, revealing its wearer's naked bosom that was clothed only

with row upon row of round gems of the size of a hazel nut. These like the fur were black, but shone with a

strange and lustrous sheen. The man's thick arms were naked, but on his hands he wore white leather gloves

made without division like a sock, as though to match the white sandals on his feet.

This was the Man's attire. Now for him who wore it. He was tall, but not taller than are many other men; he

was broad, but not broader than many other men, and yet he looked stronger than all the men in the world. On

his brow, which was prominent, smooth black hair parted in the middle was plastered back as that of women

sometimes is, making hard lines against the yellow skin below. He had very thin eyebrows that ran upward

on either side of a bowshaped wrinkle in the centre of his forehead. The eyes beneath were small and

palepaler even than those of Grey Dickyet their glance was like the points of thrusting swords. With

those little eyes alone he seemed to smile, for the rest of his countenance did not move. The nose was long

and broad at the end with wide spreading nostrils and a deep furrow on either side. The mouth was

thinlipped and turned downward at the corners, and the chin was like a piece of iron, quite hairless, and lean

There he stood like some wild vision of a dream, smiling with those small 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 now for a

little while, that yet was not silence because of a soughing noise which seemed to proceed from the air about

Then suddenly the tumult broke out again with its cries of "Kill the devil! Tear the wizard to pieces! Death is

A score of knives flashed in the air, only this time Grey Dick set no arrow on his string. Their holders ran

forward; then the Man lifted his hand, in which was no weapon, and they stopped.

Now he spoke in a low voice so cold that, to Hugh's excited fancy, the words seemed to tinkle like falling ice

as one by one they came from his lips. He spoke in Italianperfect Italian of Veniceand young Day,

"Is this your welcome to a stranger," he said, "the companions of whose voyage have unhappily met with

misfortune?" Here with a faint motion of his fingerless glove he indicated the dead who lay all about the

decks of that fatal ship. "Would you, men of Venice, kill a poor, unarmed stranger who has travelled to visit

"Ay, we would, sorcerer!" shouted one. "Our brothers were in that ship, which we know, and you have

Then for the second time, like hounds closing in on a stag at bay, they sprang toward him with their poised

Again he lifted his hand, again the semicircle halted as though it must, 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 East done to death by these wolves who call themselves children of the white

Only after he had translated the Man's words, David fell down flat upon the quay and lay there.

They stepped to the yellowcapped Man and stood on each side of him, Hugh drawing his sword and Dick

"Now there are three of us," went on the Man. "The stranger from the East has found defenders from the

West. On, defenders, for I do not fight thus," and he folded his arms across his broad breast and smiled with

Hugh and Dick knew no Italian, yet they both of them understood, and with a shout leaped forward toward

those hungry knives. But their holders never waited for them. Some sudden panic seized them all, so that they

turned and ranran straight across the wide Place of Arms and vanished into the network of narrow streets

Hugh and Dick came back. Something seemed to call them back, although no blow had been struck. The Man

stood where they had left him, staring at nothing 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

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 the stranger's costume with a frightened eye, were left alone upon the great

place with no company save the shipful of dead behind them and the wild, white moon above. The silence

that, save for the soughing sound for which they could not account, was intense, oppressed them, as also did

Grey Dick coughed, but the Man took no notice. Then he dropped his axe with a clatter on the marble

flooring of the quay and picked it up again, but still the Man took no notice. Evidently his Eastern

imperturbability was not to be disturbed by such trifles. What was worse, or so thought Dick, his master

Hugh had fallen into a very similar mood. He stood there staring at the Man, while the Man stared over or

Grey Dick felt aggrieved. An arrow had burst to pieces unaccountably in his bow, numbing his arm and

wounding him on the chin, and now he was outpaced at his own game of cold silence. He grew angry and dug

"Tell that foreigner," he said, "that my master and I have saved his life. Those Italian cutthroats have run

David hesitated, whereon Dick gave him another dig, harder than the first, and asked if he heard what he said.

Then David obeyed, addressing the Man as "Most Illustrious" as though he were the Doge, and ending his

speech with a humble apology in case he should have interrupted his pious thanksgiving.

The Man seemed to awake. Taking no notice of Day, he addressed himself to Dick, speaking in English and

using just that dialect of it to which he, Dick, had been accustomed from his childhood in the neighbourhood

"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 that great black bow of yours, which I see is made of Eastern woods?" He stared

at the case in which it was now again hidden as though tanned leather 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, and fear 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 cutthroats, and being a gentleman I thank you very

much. Only why did the arrow burst in your bow?" and he smiled with those dreadful eyes of his.

Now, feeling overwhelmed for the second time that night, Grey Dick sat himself down upon a quay post. It

was clear to him that to argue with this person in a yellow cap who talked Suffolk so well was quite useless.

Everybody seemed to be falling into meditation again, when the Man, shifting his head slowly, began to

"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 a different and more refined sort to that which he had used when he addressed

Dick; such English, for instance, as came from the lips of Sir Geoffrey Carleon or from those of the lords of

"I am Sir Hugh de Cressi of Dunwich, in the county of Suffolk, in England," answered Hugh slowly.

"England. I have heard of England, and Dunwich; I have heard of Dunwich. Indeed, I travel thither, having

"I seem to have touched some chord of recollection in your mind, O my saviour of Dunwich," said the Man.

"No, no; you never saw me, though I have been very near to you once or twice. Yet, your pardon, look

Hugh obeyed, and this time, for a second only, perceived that the Man's head was surrounded by a multitude

of doves. Two endless lines of doves, one line black and the other line white, stretched from his right

shoulder and from his left shoulder, till miles away they melted into the lofty gloom of the sky that was full

Now he knew, and for the first time in his life fell upon his knees to a man, or to what bore the semblance of

"You are named Murgh, Gate of the Gods," he said. "Murgh, whom old Sir Andrew saw in that courtyard

over which the iron dragons watch in the country called Cathay, that courtyard with the pool of water and the

"Ay," answered the Man in a new voice, a great voice that seemed to fill the air like the mutter of distant

thunder. "I am Murgh, Gateway of the Gods, and since you have striven to defend Murgh, he who is the

friend of all men, although they know it not, will above all be your friend and the friend of those you love."

He stretched out his long arms and laid his whitegloved hands for an instant, one of them upon Hugh's head

Hugh muttered, "I thank you," not knowing what else to say. But in his heart he wondered what kind of

friendship this mighty and awful being would show to him and his. Perhaps he might hold that the truest

If Murgh read his thoughts he only answered them with that smile of his cold eyes which was more awful

than the frown of any mortal man. Turning his head slowly he began to contemplate Dick sitting on his stone.

"Perchance," answered Dick, "since I never knew for certain who my father was. Only I have always heard

"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 many other things and beings that you cannot see. Therefore the begetter and the

"Ay," answered Dick, "and so my bow and I are one: I've often thought it. Only you nearly made me one with

my own arrow, which is closer kinship than I seek," and he touched the cut upon his chin. "Since you are so

"Gladly. Only if I do, first I must ask you to die, thensay in a minute or twoyou shall know."

"If that be so, I think I'll wait for the answer, which I am sure to learn 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 long shaft you shot before Crecy fray at the filthy fool who mocked your

"A friend of mine who was in the battle. He said also that your name was Richard 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 we all are one; yes, even the slayer and the

slain. Therefore, if my friend did you call him Death?was there, I was there, if you were there I was

there and it was my hand that drew yonder great black bow of yours and my eye that guided the straight shaft

which laid the foulmouthed jester low. Why, did you not say as much yourself when your master here bade

farewell to his father in the ship at Calais? What were the 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 and you 'the

"Of no man upon earth am I afraid," he said. "But from you, O god or devil, who read the secret hearts of

men and hear their secret words, my blood flows backward as it did when first my eyes fell on you. You

would kill 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," and he placed his hands before his eyes and stood before him with bent head

"Why give me such high names, Richard the Fatherless, when you have heard two humbler ones? Call me

Murgh, as do my friends. Or call me 'The Gate,' as do those who as yet know me less well. But talk not of

gods or devils, lest suddenly one of them should answer you. Nay, man, have no fear. Those who seek Death

he often flees, as I think he flees from you tonight. Yet let us see if we cannot send a longer shaft, you and I,

Dick, although he had never suffered living man to shoot with it before, handed him the black bow, and with

"Tell me, Archer Dick, have you any enemy in this town of Venice? Because if so we might try a shot at

"One or two, Gate Murgh," answered Dick, "Still whatever your half of me may do, my bit of you does not

"Well said and better thought. Then bethink you of something that belongs 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?

"Surely," answered Dick, "I made it myself. Moreover, though two of the feathers are black, the third is white

with four black spots and a little splash of brown. Look on it, Sir Hugh; it cannot be mistook."

Then Murgh began to play a little with the bow, and oh! strange and dreadful was the music that came from

its string beneath the touch of his gloved fingers. It sang like a harp and wailed like a woman, so fearfully

indeed that the lad Day, who all this while stood by aghast, stopped his ears with his fingers, and Hugh

"Now think with your mind and shoot with your heart," he said in his cold voice, and, so saying, drew and

Out toward Venice leaped the shaft with a rushing sound like to that of wings and, as it seemed to the

watchers, light went with it, for it travelled like a beam of light. Far over the city it travelled, describing a

mighty arc such as no arrow ever flew before, then sank down 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 a substance. Indeed, I think that I remember it. Did you chance to find it years

ago by the seashore? Yes? Well, it was a gift of mine to a famous archer who died upon a ship. Nay, it is not

strained; I can judge of the breaking strength of a bow. Whether or no I can judge of the flight of an arrow

you will learn hereafter. But that this one flew fast and far cannot be doubted sincedid you watchers note

it? its speed made it shine like fire. This is caused by the rubbing of the air when aught travels through it

very quickly. This night you have seen a meteor glow in 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 be going, for I have much to do

tonight, and would look upon this fair Venice ere I sleep. I'll lead the way, having seen a map of the town

which a traveller brought to the East. I studied it, and now it comes back to my mind. Stay, let that youth give

me his garment," and he pointed to David Day, who wore a silk cloak like the others, "since my foreign dress

In a moment Day had stripped himself of his light silkhooded gown, and in another moment it was on the

person of Murgh, though how it got there, when they came to think of it afterward, none could remember.

Still, the yellow and red headdress, the coalblack silky furs, the yellow skirt, the gleaming pearls, all

vanished beneath it. Nothing remained visible except the white fingerless gloveswhy were they fingerless,

Forward they went across the Place of Arms, past the timber stand ornamented with banners, which Murgh

stayed to contemplate for an instant, until they came to the mouth of the street up which men had followed

"Sir Murgh," said Hugh, stepping forward, "you had best let me and my companion Grey Dick walk first

down this place, lest you should come to harm. When we passed it a while ago we thought that we heard

"Thank you for your warning, Sir Hugh," and even beneath the shadow of the silk hood Hugh thought that he

"Yet I'll risk these robbers. Do you two and the lad keep behind me," he added in a sterner voice.

So they advanced down the narrow street, the man called Murgh going first, Hugh, Grey Dick and the lad

following meekly behind him. As they entered its shadows a low whistle sounded, but nothing happened for a

while. When they had traversed about half its length, however, men, five or six of them in all, darted out of

the gloom of a gateway and rushed at them. The faint light showed that they were masked and gleamed upon

the blue steel of the daggers in their hands. Two of these men struck at Murgh with their knives, while the

others tried to pass him, doubtless to attack his companions, but failed. Why they failed Hugh and Dick never

knew. All they saw was that Murgh stretched out his whitegloved hands, and they fell back.

The men who had struck at him fell back also, their daggers dropping to the ground, and fled away, followed

by their companions, all except one whom Murgh had seized. Hugh noted that he was a tall, thin fellow, and

that, unlike the rest, he had drawn no weapon, although it was at his signal that the other bravoes had rushed

on. This man Murgh seemed to hold with one hand while with the other he ripped the mask off his face,

Hugh and Dick saw the face and knew it for that of the priest who had accompanied Acour to England. It was

he who had drugged Red Eve and read the mass of marriage over her while she was drugged.

"Who are you?" asked Murgh in his light, cold voice. "By your shaven head a priest, I thinkone who serves

some God of love and mercy. And yet you come upon this ill errand as a captain of assassins. Why do you

"Because I must," he said. "I have sold myself and must pay the price. Step leads to step, and he who runs

"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, you have reached the last of all your steps. Look at me!" and with one hand

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 came to the little

landingstage where they had left the boat. It was still there though the boatman had gone.

"Let us borrow this boat," said Murgh. "As from my study of the map I know these waterpaths, I will be

steersman and that tonguetied lad shall row and tell me if I go wrong. First I will take you to the house

where I think you said you lodged, and thence to go seek friends of my own in this city who will show me

They glided on down the long canals in utter silence that was broken only 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. Or

perhaps 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 gathered on the rivas or on the balconies of the

fine houses which they passed, for the most part doubtless discussing the travelling star that had been seen in

the sky. Or perhaps they had already heard rumours of the strange visitor who had come to Venice, although,

however fast such news may fly, this seemed scarcely probable. At the least there they were, men and

women, talking earnestly together, and about them the three Englishmen noted a strange thing.

As their boat slipped by, some influence seemed to pass from it to the minds of all these people. Their talk

died out, and was succeeded by a morne and heavy silence. They looked at it as though wondering why a

sight so usual should draw their eyes. Then after a few irresolute moments the groups on the footpaths

separated and went their ways without bidding each other good night. As they went many of them made the

sign with their fingers that these Italians believed could avert evil, which gave them the appearance of all

pointing at the boat or its occupants. Those in the balconies did the same thing and disappeared through the

More than any of the wonderful things that he had done, perhaps, this effect of the Eastern stranger's presence

At length they came to the end of that little street where they had hired the boat, for, although none had told

him the way, thither their dread steersman brought them without fault. The lad David laid down his oars and

mounted the steps that led to the street, which was quite deserted, even the bordering houses being in

"Hugh de Cressi and Richard the Fatherless," said Murgh, "you have seen wonderful things this night and

made a strange friend, as you may think by chance, although truly in all the wide universe there is no room

for such a thing as chance. Now my counsel to you and your companion is that you speak no word of these

matters lest you should be set upon as wizards. We part, but we shall meet again twice more, and after many

years a third time, but that third meeting do not seek, for it will be when the last grains of sand are running

from the glass. Also you may see me at other times, but if so, unless I speak to you, do not speak to me. Now

go your ways, fearing nothing. However great may seem your peril, I say to youfear nothing. Soon you

will hear ill things spoken of me, yet"and here a touch of human wistfulness came into his inhuman

voice"I pray you believe them not. When I am named Murgh the Fiend and Murgh the Sword, then think

of me as Murgh the Helper. What I do is decreed 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 the Archer, I will answer the riddle that

you asked yourself upon the ship at Calais. The Strength which made your black bow an instrument of doom

made you who loose its shafts and me who can outshoot you far. As the arrow travels whither it is sent, and

there does its appointed work, so do you travel and so do I, and many another thing, seen and unseen; and

therefore I told you truly that although we differ in degree, yet we are one. Yes, even Murgh the Eating Fire,

Murgh the Gate, and that bent wand of yours are one in the Hand that shaped and holds us both."

Then divesting himself of the long robe which he had borrowed from the lad, he handed it to Hugh, and,

taking the oars, rowed away clad in his rich, fantastic garb which now, as at first, could be seen by all. He

rowed away, and for a while the three whom he had left behind heard the soughing of the innumerable wings

Silence, but not for long, for presently from the borders of the great canal 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 lost in silence.

"I think his name is Death," answered Hugh solemnly, while Dick nodded his head but said nothing.

"I think not," said Hugh again. "Be comforted. Death has passed us by. Only be warned also and, as he bade

"By Death himself, I'll say nothing for my life's sake," he replied faintly, for he was shaking in every limb.

Then they walked up the street to the yard door. As they went Hugh asked Dick what it was that he had in his

mind as a mark for the arrow that Murgh had shot, that arrow which to his charmed sight had seemed to rush

"I'll not tell you, master," answered Dick, "lest you should think me madder than I am, which tonight would

be very mad indeed. Stay, though, I'll tell David here, that he may be a witness to my folly," and he called the

Then they unlocked the courtyard gate and entered the house by the kitchen door, as it chanced quite

unobserved, for now all the servants were abed. Indeed, of that household none ever knew that they had been

outside its walls this night, since no one saw them go or return, and Sir Geoffrey and his lady thought that

They came to the door of their room, David still with them, for the place where he slept was at the end of this

"Bide here a while," said Dick to him. "My master and I may have a word to say to you presently."

Then they lit tapers from a little Roman lamp that burned all night in the passage and entered the room. Dick

"The arrow has missed," he said, "or rather," he added doubtfully, "the target is gone."

"What target?" asked Hugh wearily, for now he desired sleep more than he 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 his

"Who nails his helm upon my bed?" he said. "Is this a challenge from some knight of Venice?"

This is what Hugh saw: Fixed to the post by a shaft which pierced it and the carved olivewood from side to

side, was the helm that they had stripped from the body of Sir Pierre de la Roche; the helm of Sir Edmund

Acour, which Sir Pierre had worn at Crecy and Dick had tumbled out of his sack in the presence of the Doge

before Cattrina's face. On his return to the house of Sir Geoffrey Carleon he had set it down in the centre of

the open windowplace and left it there when they went out to survey the ground where they must fight upon

"Friend," he said, standing between him and the bed, so that he could see nothing, "what was it that just now I

told you was in my mind when yonder Murgh asked me at what target he should shoot with my bow on the

"A knight's helm," answered David, "which stood in the window of your room at the ambassador's housea

"You hear?" said Dick to Hugh; "now come, both of you, and see. What is that which hangs upon the

"A knight's helm," answered David, "bearing the crest of a floating swan and held there by an arrow which

"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 but chequered with four black spots and a

"Then is that the same arrow, master, which this Murgh loosed from more than a mile away?"

Hugh examined it with care. Thrice he examined it, point and shaft and feathers. Then in a low voice he

Notwithstanding all that has been told, Hugh and Dick never slept more soundly than they did that night, nor

was their rest broken by any dreams. At half past five in the morningfor they must be stirring

earlyDavid came to call them. He too, it seemed, had slept well. Also in the light of day the worst of his

"I am wondering, Sir Hugh," he said, looking at him curiously, "whether I saw certain things last night down

"Doubtless you thought you saw them, David," answered Hugh, adding with meaning, "and it is not always

The lad, who was sharp enough, nodded. But as he turned to hand Hugh some garment his eye fell upon the

swancrested helm that was still nailed by the long warshaft with two black feathers and one white to the

"It must have been a mighty arm that shot this arrow, Sir Hugh," he said reflectively, "which could pierce a

casque of Milan steel from side to side and a hardwood post beyond. Well for the owner of the helm that his

"Very well, and a very mighty arm, David. So mighty that I should say nothing about it for fear lest it should

"God's truth, not I!" exclaimed David, "and for your comfort, sir, know that none saw us leave this house or

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 should weary them in that great heat. Although the day was so young, this heat

When they were ready David left them to see to the horse which de Cressi would ride in his combat with

Cattrina. Hugh, as became a God fearing knight whom Sir Andrew Arnold had instructed from childhood,

crossed himself, knelt down and said his prayers, which that morning were long and earnest. Indeed he would

have confessed himself also if he could, only there was no priest at hand who knew his language, Sir

Geoffrey's chaplain being away. After watching him a while even Grey Dick, whose prayers were few,

followed his example, kneeling in front of his bow as though it were an image that he worshipped. When they

"You grieve that there is none to shrive us, master, but I hold otherwise, since when it was told what

company we kept last night absolution 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 one priest, and he far away."

"Yet it is well to have the blessings of Holy Church ere such a business as ours, Dick; that is, if it can be

"Mayhap, master. But for my part I am content with that of Murgh, which he gave us, you may remember, or

so I understood him. Moreover, did he not teach that he and all are but ministers of Him above? Therefore I

go straight to the head of the stair," and he nodded toward the sky. "I am content to skip all those steps which

are called priests and altars and popes and saints and suchlike folk, living or dead. If Murgh's wisdom be

true, as I think, these are but garnishings to the dish which can well be spared by the hungry soul."

"That may be," Hugh answered dubiously, for his faith in such matters was that of his time. "Yet were I you,

Dick, I'd not preach that philosophy too loud lest the priests and popes should have something to say to it.

The saints also, for aught I know, since I have always heard that they love not to be left out of our account

"Well, if so," answered Dick, "I'll quote St. Murgh to them, who is a very fitting patron for an archer." Then

once again he glanced at the helm and the arrow with something not unlike fear in his cold eye.

Presently they went down to the eating chamber where they had been told that breakfast would be ready for

"I trust that you have slept well, Sir Hugh," he said. "You were a wise knight to go to rest so early, having

before you such a trial of your strength and manhood, and, so to speak, the honour of our King upon your

"Oh, ill, extremely ill. I do not know what is the matter with me or Venice either, whereof the very air seems

poisoned. Feel the heat and see the haze! It is most unnatural. Moreover, although in your bed doubtless you

saw it not, a great ball of fire blazed and burnt over the city last night. So bright was it that even in a darkened

room each of us could see the colour of the other's eyes. Later, too, as I watched at the window, there came a

thin streak of flame that seemed to alight on or about this very house. Indeed I thought I heard a sound as of

"Wondrous happenings, sir," said Grey Dick. "Glad am I that we were not with you, lest the sight of them

"Wondrous happenings indeed, friend Richard," said Sir Geoffrey excitedly, "but you have not heard the half

of them. The herald, who has just been here with the final articles of your fray signed by the Doge and

Cattrina, has told me much that I can scarce believe. He says that the 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 return voyage from

Cyprus, filled with dead and with no living thing aboard her save the devil himself in a yellow robe and a

manyhued headdress like a cock'scomb with a red eye. He swears that this fiend landed and that the mob

set on him, whereon two, some say three, other devils clad in long black gowns appeared out of the water and

drove them back. Also, it seems that this same cock'scombed Satan stole a boat and rowed about the city

"Then they should be well satisfied," said Hugh, "since its owner has lost nothing but the hire, which with

Satan at the oars is better than might 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, for ever since the dawn they have been taking

the dead out of her to bury them. Of these they say things too terrible to repeat, for no doctor can tell of what

sickness they died, never having seen its like. For my part I pray it may not be catching. Were I the Doge I

would have towed her out to sea and scuttled her, cargo and all. Well, well, enough of these wild tales, of

which God alone knows the truth. Come, eat, if you can in this heat. We must be on the Place of Arms by

half past eight. You and the captain go thither in my own boat, Sir Hugh; your horse David Day takes on

presently. Now, while you breakfast, I'll explain to you these articles, one by one, for they are writ in Italian,

which you cannot read. See you forget them not. These Venetians are punctilious of such forms and

ceremonies, especially when the case is that of combat to the death, which is rare among them."

The articles, which were lengthy, had been read, and the breakfast, or so much as they could eat of it,

consumed. At last Hugh, accompanied by a Venetian squire of high birth sent by the Doge to bear his casque

and other armour, stood in the vestibule waiting for the ambassador's barge of state. With him was Grey

Dick, accompanied by no one and carrying the mail shirt in which he was to fight, like a housewife's parcel

beneath his arm, although he wore bow on back, axe and dagger at side and iron cap upon his head.

Presently, while they lingered thus, out from a sidedoor appeared Lady Carleon, clothed in a white garment

such as women wear when their dressing is half done, down which her grey hair hung dishevelled.

"I am come thus unkempt, Sir Hugh," she said, "for, not feeling well, I could not rise early, to bid you

goodbye, since I am sure that we shall not meet again. However much that blackbrowed Doge may press

it, I cannot go down yonder to see my countrymen butchered in this heat. Oh! oh!" and she pressed her hand

"A pain in my breast, that is all, as though some one drove a dagger through me. There, there, 'tis gone."

"I thank you for your goodness, Lady Carleon," said Hugh when she was herself again; then paused, for he

"Not so, Sir Hugh, not so; 'tis for your sakes in truth since you remember you never told me what you would

wish doneafterward. Your possessions alsowhere are they to be sent? Doubtless you have money and

other things of value. Be sure that they shall be sealed up. I'll see to it myself, buthow shall I dispose of

"Nay, nay, Sir Hugh; pray do not return. Those who are gone had best keep 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 and

gibbering like a monkey at dead of night, because if you do I am sure I shall not understand, and if there is an

Hugh leaned against a marble pillar in the hall and looked at his hostess helplessly, while Sir Geoffrey,

"Cease such illomened talk, wife. Think you that it is of a kind to give brave men a stomach in a fight to the

"I know not, Geoffrey, but surely 'tis better to have these matters settled, for, as you often say, death is always

"Ay, madam," broke in Grey Dick, who could bear no more of it, "death is always near to all of us, and

especially so in Venice just now. Therefore, I pray you tell mein case we should live and you should die,

you and all about youwhether you have any commands to give as to what should be done with your gold

Then, having uttered this grim jest, Dick took his master by the arm and drew him through the door.

Afterward, for a reason that shall be told, he was sorry that it had ever passed his lips. Still in the boat Sir

Geoffrey applauded him, saying that his lady's melancholy had grown beyond all bearing, and that she did

little but prate to him about his will and what colour of marble he desired for his tomb.

After a journey that seemed long to Hugh, who wished to have this business 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, they rowed from one of the canals into the

harbour itself, where they were joined 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, and incautiously said as much to Sir

"Yes," he answered, "one of my rowers tells me that they have towed her to an island out at sea, since the

stench from her holds was more than could be borne. But how did you know that she lay at this particular

"I thought you said so," he answered carelessly, adding, to change the subject: "Look, our fray will not lack

for spectators," and he pointed to the thousands gathered upon the great tiltingground.

"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 edge with a little stone which he carried in his pouch. Then he replaced the axe in

its hanger, and, drawing Hugh's sword from its sheath, began to give some final touches to its razor edge,

saying: "Father Sir Andrew Arnold blessed it, which should be enough, but Milan steel is hard and his old

battle blade will bite none the worse for an extra sharpening. Go for his throat, master, go for his throat, the

"God above us, what a grim man!" exclaimed Sir Geoffrey, and so thought all in that boat and in those

around them. At least they looked at Dick askance as he whetted and whetted, and then, plucking out one of

the pale hairs from his head, drew it along the edge of the steel, which severed it in twain.

"There! That'll do," said Grey Dick cheerfully, as he returned the long sword to its sheath, "and God help this

Cattrina, I say, for he comes to his last battle. That is, unless he runs away," he added after reflection.

Now they landed and were received by heralds blowing trumpets, and conducted through a great multitude of

people with much pomp and ceremony to a pavilion which had been pitched for them, where they must arm

This then they did, helped or hindered by bowing squires whose language they could not understand.

At length, when it lacked but a quarter to the hour of nine, David Day led Hugh's horse into the wide entrance

"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 the business 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 the agreed signal of a single blast upon a trumpet, walked it slowly from the

At their coming a shout went up from the assembled thousands, for in truth it seemed, as Sir Geoffrey had

said, as though all the folk in Venice were gathered on that place. When they had finished shouting the people

began to criticise, finding much in the appearance of this pair that moved their ready wit. Indeed there was

little show about them, for Hugh's plain armour, which lacked all ornament or inlay, was worn with war and

travel, and his horse came along as soberly as if it were going out to plough. Nor was there anything fine

about the apparel of Grey Dick, who wore a loose chain shirt much out of fashion it was that which Sir

Andrew had given to Hughan iron cap with earpieces, and leather buskins on his legs. In his hand was his

axe, heavy but not over large; at his side hung a great knife, and on his back was the long black bow and a

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 had seen on the previous night. In the centre of this stand, occupying a

kind of tribune, sat the Doge Dandolo in state, and with him many nobles and captains, while to right and left

the whole length of the course, for the stand was very long, were packed a countless number of the bestborn

men and women in Venice. These, however, were but a tithe of the spectators, who encircled the Place of

Arriving in front of the Doge's tribune, the pair halted and saluted him, whereon he and his escort rose and

saluted them in turn. Then another trumpet blew and from a second pavilion at the other end of the course

appeared Cattrina, wearing a splendid suit of white armour, damascened in gold, with a silver swan upon the

"Very fine, isn't it?" said Grey Dick to his master, "only this time I hope he's inside the steel. Ask to see his

On came Cattrina on a noble black horse, which pawed and caracoled notwithstanding the heat, while after

him strode a gigantic figure also clad from top to toe in white mail, who fiercely brandished a longhandled

"Ambrosio!" said Dick. "Now I ought to feel as much afraid as though that fellow wore a yellow cap and fur

cape and pearls like another warrior whom we met last night. Yet, to speak the truth, I believe he has the

fainter heart of the two. Also if he swings that chopper about so much he'll grow tired."

To the multitude, however, the gallant appearance of this pair, whom they looked on as the champions of

Venice against foreigners, appealed not a little. Amidst clapping of hands and "evvivas!" they advanced to

the Doge's tribune and there made their salutations, which the Illustrious acknowledged as he had those of the

Then the heralds intervened and again all the articles of combat were read and translated, although to these,

of which they were weary, Hugh and Dick listened little. Next they were asked if they had any objections to

make and with one voice answered, "None." But on the same question being put to their adversaries, the

Swiss, Ambrosio, said that he with whom he must fight appeared to be armed with a bow, which was against

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 own life. In the event of his death, however, David was to give them to Sir Hugh,

or if they both should die, to his own master, Sir Geoffrey. All of these things David promised to do.

Next followed a long discussion as to whether the four of them were to fight in pairs, Cattrina and Ambrosio

against Hugh and Dick simultaneously, or whether Ambrosio was to fight alone with Dick, and Cattrina with

Hugh. Upon Cattrina and Ambrosio being asked their wishes, the former said that he desired to fight alone, as

he feared lest the English archer, if he overcame Ambrosio, should turn on him also, or perhaps hamstring his

Then the Englishmen were asked what they wished, and replied that they did not care how it was arranged,

The end of it was that after long consultations with sundry experts in such matters, the Most Illustrious

decided that the Captains Ambrosio and Richard the Archer should first engage on foot, and when that

So the end of it was that more than half an hour after the combat should have begun, Dick and the gigantic

Ambrosio found themselves standing face to face waiting for the signal to engage, the Swiss shouting threats

At length it came in the shape of a single blast upon a trumpet. Now seeing that Dick stood quite still, not

even raising his axe, the Swiss advanced and struck a mighty blow at him, which Dick avoided by stepping

aside. Recovering himself, again Ambrosio struck. This blow Dick caught upon 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 more quickly did Grey Dick run, till at last even Hugh grew puzzled wondering

what was in his mind and hoping that he would change it soon. So the audience hooted, and Grey Dick ran

and the giant Swiss lumbered along after him, bellowing triumphantly and brandishing his battleaxe, which,

When this had gone on for two or three minutes, Grey Dick stumbled and fell. The Swiss, who was following

fast, likewise tripped and fell over him heavily, whereon the multitude shouted:

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 to get behind him and kick him with his foot until he also rose. Thereat

Now the Swiss, having lost his shield in his fall, rushed at Dick, grasping his axe with both hands. As before,

the Englishman avoided the blow, but for the first time he struck back, catching the giant on the shoulder

though not very heavily. Then with a shout of "St. George and England!" he went in at him.

Hither and thither sprang Dick, now out of reach of the axe of the Swiss and now beneath his guard. But ever

as he sprang he delivered blow upon blow, each harder than the last, till there appeared scars and rents in the

fine white mail. Soon it became clear that the great Swiss was overmatched and spent. He breathed heavily,

his strokes grew wild, he overbalanced, recovered himself, and at last in his turn began to fly in good

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 as a man might beat a carpet, beating him till he roared with pain.

"Fight, Ambrosio, fight! Don't fly!" shouted the crowd, and he tried to wheel round, only to be knocked

prostrate by a single blow upon the head which the Englishman delivered with the hammerlike back of his

Then Dick was seen to kneel upon him and cut the lashings of his helmet with his dagger, doubtless to give

"Our man is murdered!" yelled the common people, while those of the better sort remained shamed and

Dick rose, and they groaned, thinking that all was done. But lo! stooping down he helped the breathless

Swiss, whom he had disarmed, to his feet. Then, taking him by the nape of the neck, which was easy, as his

helmet was off, with one hand, while in the other he held his bared knife, Dick thrust him before him till they

"Be pleased to tell the Illustrious," he said, to Sir Geoffrey, "that this braggart having surrendered, I spared

his life and now return him to his brother the Page quite unharmed, since I did not wish to wound one who

was in my power from the first. Only when he gets home I pray that he will look at his back in a glass and

judge which of us it is that has been 'beaten to a pulp.' Let him return thanks also to his patron saint, who put

pity in my heart, so that I did not cut him into collops, as I promised. For know, sir, that when I walked out

yonder it was my purpose to hew off his hands and shorten him at the knees. Stayone word more. If yonder

boaster has more brothers who really wish to fight, I'll take them one by one and swear to them that this time

"Do you indeed yield and accept the Englishman's mercy?" asked the Doge in a stern voice.

The poor Ambrosio, making no answer, blundered forward among the crowd and there vanished, and this was

the last that Dick ever saw or heard of him. But, although he waited there a while, feeling the edge of his axe

and glaring about him, none of the captain's companions came forward to accept his challenge.

At length, with a shrug of his shoulders, Dick turned. Having taken his bow and quiver from David, who

could not conceal his indecent joy at the utter humiliation of Ambrosio, whom he hated with a truly British

"The jest is done, master, and now for good earnest, since 'tis your turn. The Saints save me such another cow

hunt in this hell's heat. Had I killed him at once I should be cooler now, but it came into my mind to let the

hound live. Indeed, to speak truth, I thought that I heard the voice of Murgh behind me, saying, 'Spare,' and

"I hope he will say nothing of the sort to me presently," answered Hugh, "if he is here, which I doubt. Why,

Talking they were, evidently at the instance of Cattrina, or his counsellors, who had raised some new

objections, which Sir Geoffrey stepped forward to explain to them. But Hugh would not even hear him out.

"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, with lance or sword or axe or dagger, or any or all of them, in mail or without it; or,

if it pleases him, stripped to the shirt. Only let him settle swiftly, since unless the sweat runs into my eyes and

"You are right," answered Sir Geoffrey, "this gathering gloom is ominous and 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

Then wiping his brow with a silken handkerchief he returned to deliver the message.

Now Hugh and Dick, watching, saw that Cattrina and those who advised him could find no further loophole

for argument. They saw, moreover, that the Doge grew angry, for he rose in his seat, throwing off his velvet

robe of office, of which it appeared that he could no longer bear the weight, and spoke in a hard voice to

Cattrina and his squires. Next, once more the titles of the combatants were read, and their cause of combat,

and while this went on Hugh bade Dick bind about his right arm a certain red ribbon that Eve had given him,

Dick obeyed, muttering that he thought such humours foolish and that a knight might as well wear a woman's

petticoat as her ribbon. By now, so dim had the light grown, he could scarce see to tie the knot.

From the dark, lowering sky above a palpable blackness sank downward as though the clouds themselves

were falling of their own weight, while from the sea great rolls of vapour came sweeping in like waves. Also

this sea itself had found a voice, for, although it was so calm, it moaned like a world in pain. The great

multitude began to murmur, and their faces, lifted upward toward the sky, grew ghastly white. Fear, they

The first trumpet blew and the horses of the knights, which whinnied uneasily, were led to their stations. The

second trumpet blew and the knights laid their lances in rest. Then ere the third trumpet could sound,

Dick groped his way to Hugh's side. "Bide where you are," he said, "the end of the world is here; let us meet

"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, has been sent to open the doors of heaven and hell. God have mercy on us

So they stayed there, hearkening to the groans and prayers of the terrified multitude about them, Dick holding

the bridle of the horse, which shook from head to foot, but never stirred. For some minutes they remained

thus, till suddenly the sky began to lighten, but with no natural light. The colour of it, of the earth beneath and

of the air between was a deep, terrible red, that caused all things to seem as though they were dyed in blood.

Lighter and lighter and redder and redder it grew, the long stand and the pavilions became visible, and after

them the dense, deep ring of spectators. Many of these were kneeling, while others, who could find no space

to kneel, held their hands upstretched toward heaven, or beat their breasts and wept in the emotional fashion

Yet not on them were the eyes of Hugh and Grey Dick fixed, but rather on a single figure which stood quite

alone in the midst of that great arena where Cattrina and his horse should have been, where they had been

indeed but a little while before. The figure was clothed in a red and yellow cap shaped like a cock'scomb, in

black furs, a yellow robe and white gloves and sandals. Yonder it stood, fantastic, fearful, its bare and brawny

arms crossed upon its breast, its head bowed as though it contemplated the ground. There was not an eye of

all the tens of thousands of those who were present that did not see it; there was not a voice that did not break

into a yell of terror and hate, till the earth shook with such a sound as might reverberate through the choked

"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 that seemed one blotch of white amidst its glow.

Then it stooped down and lifted from the sand a knight's lance such as Cattrina had held. It raised the lance

and with it pointed four times, east and west and north and south, holding it finally for a while in the direction

of the tribune, where sat the Doge with all his noble company, and of Venice beyond. Lastly, with a quick

and easy motion, it cast the lance toward the 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, and when that mist cleared away the shape

Now the red haze thinned, and for the first time that morning the sun shone out in a sickly fashion. Although

their nerves were torn by the unnatural darkness and the apparition that followed it, which all saw, yet none

quite believed that they had seen, the multitude shouted for the 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 outin that silence it sounded like the blast of doomand Hugh spurred his

horse forward a little way, but halted, for he could perceive no foe advancing against him. He stared about

him, and at last in a rage threw his lance to a squire, and, turning his horse, galloped to the tribune. There he

"Where is Cattrina? Am I to be fooled, who appear here as the champion of the King of England? Where is

Cattrina? Produce Cattrina that I may slay 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 where a mounted man might hide. But they never found Cattrina, and,

The Doge, maddened by this ignominy, seized the great gold chain upon his 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, and until he prove himself innocent, let no noble of Venice stretch out to

him the hand of fellowship. Men of Venice, for you Cattrina and his House are dead."

"Will none take up his cause and fight for him?" asked Hugh through Sir Geoffrey, and presently, at the

Doge's command, the challenge was repeated thrice by the herald. But to it no answer came. Of this afterward

Hugh was glad, since it was Cattrina's life he sought, not that of any other man. Then Hugh spoke again,

"I claim, O Illustrious, that I be written down as victor in this combat to the death, bloodless through no fault

"It shall be so written, noble Hugh de Cressi," said the Doge. "Let all Venice take notice thereof."

At the first heave Hugh leaped from his horse, which screamed aloud and fled away, and gripped hold of

Grey Dick. At the second, the multitude broke out into wild cries, prayers and blasphemies, and rushed this

way and that. At the third, which came quite slowly and was the greatest of them all, the long stand of timber

bent its flags toward him as though in salute, then, with a slow, grinding crash, fell over, entangling all within

it beneath its ruin. Also in the city beyond, houses, whole streets of them, gabled churches and tall towers,

sank to the earth, while where they had been rose up wreathed columns of dust. To the south the sea became

agitated. Spouts of foam appeared upon its smooth face; it drew back from the land, revealing the slime of

ages and embedded therein longforgotten wrecks. It heaped itself up like a mountain, then, with a swift and

Hugh and Dick fled like the rest, and with them David, though whither they 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 crest of which men were tossed up and down like bits of floating wood.

Presently Hugh halted, taking shelter with his two companions behind the stone wall of a shed that the

earthquake had shattered, for here they could not be trodden down by the mob of fugitives.

"The wave has spent itself," he said, pointing to the line of foam that now retreated toward the ocean, taking

with it many drowned or drowning men. "Let us return and seek for Sir Geoffrey. It will be shameful if we

Dick nodded, and making a wide circuit to avoid the maddened crowd, they came safely to the wrecked stand

where they had last seen Sir Geoffrey talking with the Doge. Every minute indeed the mob grew thinner,

since the most of them had already passed, treading the life out of those who fell as they went.

From this stand more than three fourths of those who were seated there had already broken out, since it had

not fallen utterly, and by good fortune was open on all sides. Some, however, tangled in the canvas roof, were

still trying to escape. Other poor creatures had been crushed to death, or, brokenlimbed, lay helpless, or,

Several of these they freed, whereon those who were unharmed at once ran away without thanking them. But

for a long while they could find no trace of Sir Geoffrey. Indeed, they were near to abandoning their search,

for the sights and sounds were sickening even to men who were accustomed to those of battlefields, when

Dick's quick ears caught the tones of an English voice calling for help. Apparently it came from the back of

the Doge's tribune, where lay a heap of dead. Gaily dressed folk who had fallen in the flight and been

crushed, not by the earthquake, but by the feet of their fellows. These blackened and disfigured men and

women they dragged away with much toil, and at last, to their joy, beneath them all found Sir Geoffrey

Carleon. In another few minutes he must have died, for he was almost suffocated.

Indeed he would certainly have perished with the others had he not been thrown under a fixed bench, whence

one leg projected, which, as they could see at once, was crushed and broken. They drew him out as gently as

they could and gave him water to drink, whereof, mercifully for them all, since by now they were utterly

parched with thirst, they had discovered a large silver pitcher full, standing in the corner of a little

antechamber to the tribune. It was half hidden with fragments of fine dresses and even jewels torn from the

"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 in front, 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 I must follow! This, had it not been for

Then, having drunk and drunk until even their raging thirst was satisfied, they found a plank. Laying Sir

Geoffrey on it, they departed from that human shambles, whence the piteous cries of those still imprisoned

Thus, slowly enough, for there were but three of them, two hampered by their mail, they bore Sir Geoffrey

across the Place of Arms. Save for the dead and dying, and some ghoullike knaves who plundered them, by

Indeed, a large band of these wretches, who had emerged like wolves from their lairs in the lowest quarters of

the great city, catching sight of the gold chain Sir Geoffrey wore, ran up with drawn daggers to kill and rob

Seeing them come Grey Dick slipped the black bow from its case and sent an arrow singing through the heart

of the oneeyed villain who captained them. Thereon the rest left him where he fell and ran off to steal and

slay elsewhere. Then without a word Dick unstrung the bow and once more laid hold of an end of the plank.

They came to the mouth of that street where the bravoes had waylaid them on 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 rose

smoke and the hideous screams of those who perished. It was this part of Venice, the home of the poorer folk,

which suffered most from the earthquake, that had scarcely touched many of the finer quarters. Still, it was

Turning from this street, they made their way to the banks of a great canal that here ran into the harbour, that

on which they had been rowed to the Place of Arms. Here by good luck they found a small boat floating keep

uppermost, for it had been overturned by the number of people who crowded into it. This boat they righted

with much toil and discovered within it a drowned lady, also an oar caught beneath the seat. After this their

dreadful journey was easy, at least by comparison. For now all the gloom had rolled away, the sun shone out

So, at last, passing many sad and strange scenes that need not be described, they came safely to the steps of

the ambassador's beautiful house which was quite uninjured. Here they found several of his servants wringing

their hands and weeping, for word had been brought to them that he was dead. Also in the hall they were met

by another woe, for there on a couch lay stretched the Lady Carleon smitten with some dread sickness which

caused blood to flow from her mouth and ears. A physician was bending over her, for by good fortune one

Sir Geoffrey asked him what ailed his wife. He answered that he did not know, having never seen the like till

that morning, when he had been called in to attend three such cases in houses far apart, whereof one died

Just then Lady Carleon's senses returned, and opening her eyes she saw Sir Geoffrey, whom they had laid

"Oh, they told me that you were dead, husband," she said, "crushed or swallowed in the earthquake! But I

thank God they lied. Yet what ails you, sweetheart, that you do not stand upon your feet?"

"Little, dear wife, little," he answered in a cheerful voice. "My foot is somewhat crushed, that is all. Still 'tis

true that had it not been for this brave knight and his squire I must have lain where I was till I perished."

Now Lady Carleon raised herself slightly and looked at Hugh and Dick, who stood together, bewildered and

"Heaven's blessings be on your heads," she exclaimed, "for these Venetians would surely have left him to his

doom. Ah, I thought that it was you who must die today, but now I know it is I, and perchance my lord.

Physician," she added after a pause, "trouble not with me, for my hour has come; I feel it at my heart. Tend

my lord there, who, unless this foul sickness takes him also, may yet be saved."

So they carried them both to their own large sleeping chamber on the upper floor. There the surgeon set Sir

Geoffrey's broken bone skilfully enough, though when he saw the state of the crushed limb, he shook his

head and said it would be best to cut it off. This, however, Sir Geoffrey 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 on me. But I care nothing, for since you say that my wife must die I would die with

At sunset Lady Carleon died. Ere she passed away she sent for Hugh and Dick. Her bed by her command had

been moved to an open window, for she seemed to crave air. By it was placed that of Sir Geoffrey so that the

"I would die looking toward England, Sir Hugh," she said, with a faint smile, "though alas! I may not sleep in

that churchyard on the Sussex downs where I had hoped that I might lie at last. Now, Sir Hugh, I pray this of

your Christian charity and by the English blood which runs in us, that you will swear to me that you and your

squire will not leave my lord alone among these Southern folk, but that you will bide with him and nurse him

till he recovers or dies, as God may will. Also that you will see me buried by the bones of my childthey

"Wife," broke in Sir Geoffrey, "this knight is not of our kin. Doubtless he has business elsewhere. How can

"Fear nothing. Here we will stay until he recoversunless," he added, "we ourselves should die."

She smiled at him gratefully, then turned her face toward Sir Geoffrey and pressed his hand. So presently she

When it was over and the women had covered her, Hugh and Dick left the room, for they could bear no more.

"I have seen sad sights," said Hugh, with something like a sob, "but never before one so sad."

"Ay," answered Dick, "that of the wounded dying on Crecy field was a May Day 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 wildeyed through the doorway to ask how his patients fared.

"Ah!" he said to them in French when he knew. "Well, signors, that noble lady has not gone alone. I tell you

that scores of whom I know are already dead in Venice, swept off by this swift and horrible plague. Death

and all his angels stalk through the city. They say that he himself appeared last night, and this morning on the

tilting ground by the quay, and by God's mercyif He has any left for usI can well believe it. The Doge

and his Council but now have issued a decree that all who perish must be buried at once. See to it, signors,

lest the officers come and bear her away to some common grave, from which her rank will not protect her."

Then he went to visit Sir Geoffrey. Returning presently, he gave them some 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 himself was

That night they buried Lady Carleon in her son's grave, which Dick had helped to prepare for her, since no

sexton could be bribed to do the work. Indeed these were all busy enough attending to the interment of the

great ones of Venice. In that churchyard alone they saw six buryings in progress. Also after the priest had

read his hurried Office, as they left the gates, whence Lady Carleon's bearers had already fled affrighted, they

met more melancholy processions heralded by a torch or two whereof the light fell upon some sheeted and

"'Twixt earthquake and plague Murgh the Helper is helping very well," said Grey Dick grimly, and Hugh

Such was the beginning of the awful plague which travelled from the East to Venice and all Europe and

afterward became known by the name of the Black Death. Day by day the number of its victims increased;

the hundreds of yesterday were the thousands of the morrow. Soon the graveyards were full, the plague pits,

long and deep, were full, and the dead were taken out to sea by shiploads and there cast into the ocean. At

length even this could not be done, since none were forthcoming who would dare the task. For it became

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 the animals sickened and perished, until that great city was turned into an open

tomb. The reek of it tainted the air for miles around, so that even those who passed it in ships far out to sea

turned faint and presently themselves sickened and died. But ere they died they bore on the fatal gift to other

Moreover, starvation fell upon the place. Though the houses were full of riches, these would scarce suffice to

buy bread for those who remained alive. The Doge and some of his Council passed laws to lighten the misery

of the people, but soon few heeded these laws which none were left to enforce. The vagabonds and

evilminded men who began by robbing the deserted houses of jewels, money and plate, ended by searching

them for food and casting aside their treasures as worthless dross. It was even 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 meat

were scarce, wine remained in plenty. In the midst of death menyes, and womenwho perhaps had

deserted their wives, their husbands or their children, fearing to take the evil from them, made the nights

horrible by their drunken blasphemies and revellings, as sailors sometimes do upon a sinking ship. Knowing

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 of the mortification of his broken limb, not of the pest, which went by him as

All this time Hugh, Grey Dick, and David Day nursed him without ceasing. Indeed with the exception of a

woman so ancient and shrivelled that nothing seemed able to harm her any more, no one else was left in the

great palazzo, for all the rest of the household had perished or fled away. This woman, who was the

grandmother of one of the servants, now dead of the plague, cooked their food. Of such provision fortunately

there was much laid up in the storerooms for use in the winter, since Lady Carleon had been a good and

So those three did not starve, although Sir Geoffrey would touch little of the salted stuff. He existed on a few

fruits when they could get them, 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 room where Hugh slept hard by and told them that Sir Geoffrey was awake and

calling them. They rose and went to him. By the light of the moon which shone in at the open window, that

same window through which Lady Carleon had looked toward England ere she passed away, they saw him

"Friends," he said in a weak voice, "by the mercy of God, I go out of this hell to heaven, or so I think. But, if

indeed this be not the end of the world, I hope that you who have lived so long will continue to live, and I

have sent for you to bless you and to thank you both. In yonder 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 homage and my thanks

for the trust that he has reposed in me. Tell him what I have not written in the letters"and here he smiled

faintly"that I think 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

good wishes and respects. Also that I grieve that I have not been able to hand him my letters of recall in

"So much for business, but there are two things more: I have no relatives living save my wife's sister.

Therefore, Sir Hugh and Captain Richard, I have made you my joint heirs with her; my testament duly signed

and witnessed is in that case with the other papers. My wealth is not great. Still there are certain land and

manors in England, a sum of money placed with a merchant in London, whose name you will find written in

the testament, my plate and gold coin here, though the former you may not be able to move. Therefore I

charge you to bury it and return for it later on, if you can. It is of value, since all my life I have collected such

trinkets. I beg you to make provision also for this good lad, David, should he be spared."

"Another thing is that I ask you, if it be possible, to row my body out to sea and there sink it in deep water,

deep, clean water, far from this place of stench and pestilence, for I would not lie in the common pit at last.

Now kneel down and pray for my passing soul, since there is no priest 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 and pray, as I

pray for you, that you may be spared on earth and that we may meet again in heaven, where my wife and

They obeyed, weeping, yes, even Grey Dick wept a little. Presently when they looked up they saw that Sir

Geoffrey was dead, dead without pain or sorrow. Of the first he had suffered none for days, and the second

Leaving the ancient woman in charge of the house, which she barred and bolted, next morning they took a

boat, and the three of them rowed the body of the old knight a league out into the quiet sea. There, after a

brief prayer, they cast him into the deep, weighted with stones, so that he might never rise again.

Then they returned, not too soon, for they found thieves in the act of breaking into the house, probably in

search of food. These miserable, halfstarved men they spared, though they could have killed them easily

enough. They even gave them a pouch full of biscuit and dried meat ere they dismissed them. This they did

quickly, since one of them, as they could 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 she had fled on hearing the robbers,

they collected all Sir Geoffrey's and his lady's jewels and plate, of which there was much, for he lived in state

in Venice, as became an ambassador. These they buried in three large iron boxes beneath the flagstones of the

cellar, the safest place that they could find. Having thrown the excavated earth into the canal under cover of

Wondering whether it would ever be their lot to look upon these chests and their contents again, they left the

cellar, to find the old woman knocking at the back door of the house, whither she had returned, frightened by

the sights and sounds in the city. They bade her bring them food, which they needed much who had laboured

"Seeing that all three of us are still in health, as if there is anything in the promises of Murgh we should

remain, is it not time, master," asked Grey Dick, "that we left this accursed Venice? Now that Sir Geoffrey is

"One thing I have to do first," answered Hugh, "and it is to learn whether Sir Edmund Acour, lord of Cattrina,

is dead or living, and if living where he hides himself away. While Sir Geoffrey lay dying we could not leave

"Ay, master, though I think you'll find the task hard in this hive of pestilence and confusion."

"I have heard that the plague is at work in Cattrina's palace," broke in David, "but when I asked whether he

were there or no, none could tell me. That is not a house where you'll be welcomed, Sir Hugh."

"Still I will make bold to knock at his doors tomorrow," answered Hugh. "Now let us seek what we all

So on the following morning shortly after sunrise Hugh and Grey Dick, guided by David, took boat and

rowed through most fearful scenes and sounds to the Palazzo Cattrina, a splendid but somewhat dilapidated

building situated in a part of the city that, like itself, had seen more prosperous times. The great doors of the

place set in a marble archway stood 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 was occupied only by a grisly corpse that lay rotting on the floor, a heavy key in its

hand. The courtyard beyond was empty and so, save for a dead horse, were the stables to the right. Passing up

Here the place was in confusion, as though those who dwelt there had left in haste. The mouldering remains

of a meal lay on the broad oak table; a great dowerchest inlaid with ivory, but half filled with arms and

armour, stood wide. A silver crucifix that had hung above was torn down and cast upon the floor, perchance

by thieves who had found it too heavy to bear away. The earthquake had thrown over a carved cabinet and

some bowls of glazed ware that stood upon it. These lay about shattered amidst shields and swords thrown

from the walls, where pictures of saints or perchance of dead Cattrinas hung all awry. In short, if an army had

Hugh and Dick crossed it to a stairway of chestnut wood whereof every newelpost was surmounted by the

crest of a swan, and searched the saloons above, where also there was wreck and ruin. Then, still mounting

the stair, they came to the bedchambers. From one of these they retreated hastily, since on entering it

hundreds of flies buzzing in a corner advised them that something lay there which they did not wish to see.

Following the sound, he led his master down two long corridors that ended in a chapel. There, lying before

the altar, they found a man clad in a filthy priest's robe, a dying man who still had the strength to cry for help

or mercy, although in truth he was wasted to a skeleton, since the plague which had taken him was of the

most lingering sort. Indeed, little seemed to be left of him save his rolling eyes, prominent nose and high

cheekbones covered with yellow parchment that had been skin, and a stubbly growth of unshaven hair.

"So once more we meet in a chapel, Father Nicholas. Say, how has it fared with you since you fled through

the chancel door of that at Blythburgh Manor? No, I forgot, that was not the last time we met. A man in a

yellow cap ripped off your mask in a bystreet near the Place of Arms one night and said something which it

"Why should I give you water in payment for your midnight steel yonder in the narrow street? What kind of

water was it that you gave Red Eve far away at Blythburgh town?" asked Dick in his hissing voice which

But Hugh, who could bear no more of it, ran down to the courtyard, where he had seen a pitcher standing by a

"Thank God that you have come again," said the wretched priest, as he snatched at it, "for I cannot bear to die

with this whitefaced devil glaring at me," and he pointed to Grey Dick, who leaned against the chancel wall,

Then he drank greedily, Hugh holding the pitcher to his lips, for his wasted arms could not bear its weight.

"Now," said Hugh, when his thirst was satisfied, "tell me, where is your master, Cattrina?"

"God or the fiend can say alone. When he found that I was smitten with the plague he left me to perish, as did

"And as we shall do unless you tell me whither my enemy has gone," and Hugh made as though to leave the

"For Christ's sake do not desert me," he moaned. "Let one Christian soul be near me at the last ere the curse

of that wizard with the yellow cap is fulfilled on me. For the sake of Jesus, stay! I'll tell all I know."

"When the darkness fell there in the Place of Arms," began Nicholas, "while you knights were waiting for the

"Nay, to be just, it was not all cowardice. The wizard in the yellow cap, he who showed himself to the people

afterward and called down this Black Death on Venice, appeared to him in the darkness and said something

to him that turned his heart to water. I think it was that if he stayed, within five short minutes he'd be dead,

"Here to his house, where he disguised himself and bade me prepare to travel with him. Only then the

sickness took me and I could not. So he went with some of his people, riding for Avignon."

"To obtain the confirmation of his marriage with the lady Eve Clavering. It has been promised to him by

"Only this: tidings reached him that the lady Clavering, with the old Templar, Sir Andrew Arnold, journeys to

Avignon from England, there to obtain the dissolution of their marriage with Sir Edmund Acour, Count de

Noyon, Lord of Cattrina. In Avignon, however the cause may go, Cattrina purposes to snare and make her

"And Sir Andrew Arnold," broke in Dick, "who, like some others, is, I think, one of His ministers. Still, we

"Nay, nay," cried Nicholas in a hoarse scream. "Tarry a while and I'll tell you that which will force the Pope

to void this marriage. Yes, it shall be set in writing and signed by me and witnessed ere I die. There is ink and

"That's a good thought," said Hugh. "Dick, fetch the tools, for if we try to move this fellow he will go farther

Dick went and returned presently with an inkhorn, a roll of parchment, pens and a little table. Then Hugh sat

Now Nicholas, having before his glazing eyes the vision of imminent judgment, briefly but clearly told all the

truth at last. He told how he had drugged Red Eve, giving the name of the bane which he mixed in the milk

she drank. He told how when her mind was sleeping, though her body was awake, none knowing the

wickedness that had been wrought save he and Acour, and least of all her father, they had led her to the altar

like a lamb to the slaughter, and there married her to the man she hated. He told how, although he had fled

from England to save his life, Acour had never ceased to desire her and to plot to get her into his power, any

more than he had ceased to fear Hugh's vengeance. For this reason, he said, he had clad himself in the armour

of another knight at Crecy, and in that guise accepted mercy at Hugh's hand, leaving de la Roche to die in his

place beneath that same hand. For this reason also he had commanded him, Nicholas, to bring about the death

of Hugh de Cressi and his 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 yellow cap, whom no steel could harm.

"The blackhearted villain!" hissed Dick. "Well, for your comfort, holy priest, I'll tell you who that wizard is.

He is Death himself, Death the Sword, Death the Fire, Death the Helper, and presently you'll meet him

"I knew it, I knew it," groaned the wretched man. "Oh! such is the end of sin whereof we think so little in our

"Nay," broke in Hugh, "you'll meet, not the minister, but Him whom he serves and in His hand are mercies.

Be silent, Dick, for this wretch makes confession and his time is short. Spare the tool and save your wrath for

So Dick went, and Nicholas continued his tale, throwing light into many a dark place, though there was little

Presently David came and started back in horror at the sight of that yellow tortured face set upon a living

skeleton. Then the writing was read and Nicholas, held up by Dick, set his signature with a trembling hand to

this his confession of the truth. This done they signed as witnesses, all three of them.

Now Hugh, whose pity was stirred, wished to move Nicholas and lay him on a bed in some chamber, and if

they could, find someone to watch him till the end. But the priest refused this charity.

"Let me die before the altar," he said, "where I may set my eyes upon Him whom I have betrayed afresh," and

he pointed to the carved ivory crucifix 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 may be 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 good and

strove toward the right. If Satan tempts you thus, then remember Nicholas the priest, and his dreadful death,

and see how he pays his servants. The plague has taken others, yet they have died at peace, but I, I die in hell

"Not so," said Hugh, "you have repented, and I, against whom you have sinned perhaps more than all, forgive

"Then it is more than I do," muttered Grey Dick to himself. "Why should I forgive him because he rots alive,

as many a better man has done, and goes to reap what he has sown, who if he had won his way would have

sent us before him at the dagger's point? Yet who knows? Each of us sins in his own fashion, and perchance

sin is born of the blood and not of the will. If ever I meet Murgh again I'll ask him. But perhaps he will not

Thus reflected Dick, half to David, who feared and did not understand him, and half to himself. Ere ever he

had finished with his thoughts, which were not such as Sir Andrew would have approved, Father Nicholas

It was not a pleasant sight this death of his, though of its physical part nothing shall be written. Let that be

buried with other records of the great plague. Only in this case his mind triumphed for a while over the

dissolution of his body. When there was little left of him save bone and sinew, still he found strength to cry

out to God for mercy. Yes, and to raise himself and cast what had been arms about the ivory rood and kiss its

feet with what had been lips, and in his last death struggle to drag it down and pant out his ultimate breath

So there they left him, a horrible, huddled heap upon which gleamed the ivory crucifix, and went their way,

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 Avignon standing red against the sunset and encircled by the blue waters of the

Rhone. 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,

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 morning one old woman and a little child alone remained; the rest were dead or dying.

One day they were surprised and taken by robbers, desperate outcasts of the mountains, who gave them

twentyfour hours to "make their peace with heaven"ere they hanged them because they had slain so many

But when those twentyfour hours of grace had elapsed, it would have been easy for them to hang all who

remained of those robbers themselves. So they took the best of their horses and their illgotten gold and rode

They went through desolate villages, where the crops rotted in the fields; they went through stricken towns

whereof the moan and the stench rose in a foul incense to heaven; they crossed rivers where the very fish had

died by thousands, poisoned of the dead that rolled seaward in their waters. The pleasant land had become a

hell, and untouched, unharmed, they plodded onward through those deeps of hell. But a night or two before

they had slept in a city whereof the population, or those who remained alive of them, seemed to have gone

mad. In one place they danced and sang and made love in an open square. In another bands of naked

creatures marched the streets singing hymns and flogging themselves till the blood ran down to their heels,

while the passersby prostrated themselves before them. These were the forerunners of the "Mad Dancers" of

In a field outside of this city they came upon even a more dreadful sight. Here forty or fifty frenzied people,

most of them drunk, were engaged in burning a poor Jew, his wife and two children upon a great fire made of

the staves of winecasks, which they had plundered from some neighbouring cellars. When Hugh and his

companions came upon the scene the Jew had already burned and this crowd of devils were preparing to cast

his wife and children into the flames, which they had been forced to see devour their husband and father.

Indeed, with yells of brutal laughter, they were thrusting the children into two great casks ere they rolled

them into the heart of the fire, while the wretched mother stood by and shrieked.

"We burn wizards and their spawn, Sir Knight," answered the ringleader. "Know that these accursed Jews

have poisoned the wells of our townwe have witnesses who saw them do itand thus brought the plague

upon us. Moreover, she," and he pointed to the woman"was seen talking not fourteen days ago to the devil

in a yellow cap, who appears everywhere before the Death begins. Now, roll them in, roll them in!"

Hugh drew his sword, for this sight was more than his English flesh and blood could bear. Dick also

unsheathed the black bow, while young David produced a great knife which he carried.

"Free those children!" said Hugh to the man with whom he had spoken, a fat fellow, with rolling, bloodshot

"Get you to hell, stranger," he answered, "or we'll throw you on the fire also as a Jew in knight's dress."

"Free those children!" said Hugh again in a terrible voice, "or I send you before them. Be warned! I speak

"Be you warned, stranger, for I speak truth also," replied the man, mimicking him. "Now friends," he added,

Now a furious clamour arose. The mob snatched up burning staves, bludgeons, knives or whatever they had

at hand, and prepared to kill the three. Without waiting for orders, Dick began to shoot. David, a bold young

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 other two. Thrice Dick shot, and at the third deadly arrow these drunken fellows grew

Suddenly, acting on a common impulse, they fled away, every one, only leaving behind them those who had

fallen beneath the arrows and the sword. But some who were so full of wine that they could not run, tumbled

"Woman," said Hugh when they had departed, "your husband is lost, but you and your children are saved.

"Alas! Sir Knight," the poor creature, a still young and not unhandsome Jewess, wailed in answer, "whither

shall I go? If I return to that town those Christian men will surely murder me and my children as they have

already murdered my husband. Kill us now by the sword or the bowit will be a kindnessbut leave us not

here to be tortured by the Christian men according to their fashion with us poor Jews."

"Ay, Sir Knight, or anywhere away from these Christians. Indeed, at Avignon I have a brother who perchance

"Then mount my horse," said Hugh. "Dick and David, draw those two youngsters from the tubs and set them

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 to the saddle. The wretched widow, running to the bonfire, snatched from it her

husband's burntoff hand and hid it in the bosom of her filthy robe. Then she took some of the white ashes

"I pray, sir, to Jehovah, the God of the Jews, that for every grain of these ashes He may take a life in payment

"Like enough," answered Hugh, crossing himself, "but, woman, can you wonder that we Christians hold you

She turned with a tragic motion, and, pointing to the bones of her husband smouldering in the fire, answered:

"And can you wonder, sir, that we wretched creatures utter such prayers when you, our masters, do such

So they went, a melancholy procession if ever there one was seen upon this earth. As the three Englishmen

marched behind the horses with their weeping burdens Grey Dick reflected aloud after his fashion.

"Jew and Christian!" he said. "The Jews killed one Man who chanced to be a God, though they knew it not,

and ever since the Christians have killed thousands of the Jews. Now, which is the most wicked, those Jews

who killed the Man Who was a God, because He said He was a God, or those Christians who throw a man

into a fire to burn before his wife's and children's eyes? A man who never said that he was a god, but who,

they said, put poison into their wells, which he did not do, but which they believed he did because he was one

of the race that thirteen hundred years ago killed their God? Ah, well! Jew and Christian, I think the same

devil dwells in them all, but Murgh alone knows the truth of the matter. If ever we meet again, I'll ask him of

it. Meanwhile, we go to Avignon in strange company, whereof all the holy priests yonder, if any of them still

So spoke Dick as one who seeks an answer, but neither of his companions gave him any.

On they went through the ruined land unpursued, although they had just brought sundry men to their deaths.

For now neither law nor justice was left and those killed who could and those died who must, unwept and

unavenged. Only certain travellers, flying they knew not whither, flying from doom to doom, eyed them with

hate and loathing because of their companions. Those who consorted with Jews must, they thought, be the

Well was it for them perhaps that the early winter night was closing in when they reached the wonderful

bridge of St. B�n�zet, now quite unguarded, since a worse foe reigned in Avignon than any that it could fear

from without. They crossed it, unnoted, for here none lingered in the gloom and rain save one poor woman,

who called out to them that all she loved were dead and that she went to seek them. Then, before they could

interfere, she scrambled to the parapet of the bridge and with a wild cry leapt into the foaming waters that

"God forgive and rest her!" muttered Hugh, crossing himself. The others only shrugged their shoulders. Such

dreadful sights fed their eyes daily till they learned to take little note of them.

In a deserted place on the farther side of the bridge they halted, and Hugh said to the Jewish widow:

"Woman, here is Avignon, where you tell us there are those who will befriend you, so now let us part. We

have done what we can for you and it is not safe either for you or for us that we should be seen together in

"Sir, you speak well," she answered. "Be pleased ere we separate, to meet no more perchance, to tell me your

names that I may remember them and 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 such food as remained to them. Then the

"I, Rebecca, daughter of Onias and wife of Nathan, call down on you, Hugh de Cressi, Richard Archer and

David Day, and on your children forever, the blessings of Jehovah, because you have rescued the widow and

her children from the fire and avenged the murder of the husband and the father. O God of my people, as

Thou didst save Lot and his house from the flames of Sodom, so save these truehearted 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! Prosper their handiwork in peace and in war, fulfil their desire upon their

enemies, and at last let them die full of years and honour and so be gathered into Thy eternal bosom! Thus

"Now," said Dick when she had gone, "although they were spoken by a Jew whom men call accursed because

their forefathers, fulfilling prophecy, or some few of them, wrought a great crime when the world was young

and thereby brought about the salvation of mankind, as we believe, those are among the most comfortable

words to which my ears have listened, especially such of them as dealt with the fulfilling of our desire upon

our enemies in war. Well, they are spoke, and I doubt not registered in a book which will not be lost. So,

master, let us seek a lodging in this city of Avignon, which, for my part, I do with a light heart."

Hugh nodded, and his heart also was lightened by those words of blessing and good omen. Mounting their

horses, they took a street that led them past the great Roches des Doms, on the crest of which stood the

mighty palace of the Popes, as yet unfinished, but still one of the vastest buildings they had ever seen. Here

on the battlements and in front of the gateway burned great fires, lit by order of his Holiness to purify the air

Leaving this place on their right they rode slowly along one of the principal streets of the town, seeking an

inn. Soon they found one, a large place that had a sign on which three shepherds were painted, and turned to

enter its gateway. But, when they saw them, out of that gateway rushed a mob of frantic people waving

swords and cudgels, and saying that they would have no strangers there to bring the Death among them.

So they went and tried three other inns in turn. At two of them they met with a like greeting, but the doors of

the third were closed and the place was deserted. Then, for a crowd began to gather round them, wearily

enough they turned up another street at hazard. Thus they wended their way back toward the great central

Following this new street, they reached a less crowded suburb of the town, 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 the city

in this time of pestilence, seemed to be a small castle. At least it had a moat round it and a drawbridge, which

was down. Seeing that lamps burned in its windows, Hugh, who was worn out with their long journeyings,

"Doubtless some knight dwells in this fine house," he said to his companions. "Let us go up and declare our

names and degree and by virtue of them claim the hospitality which is our right."

"Be it so," grumbled Dick. "We cannot be worse treated there than we were at the inns, unless the owner adds

They rode across the drawbridge to the gateway of the little castle, which was open, and finding no one there,

"An empty house belongs to no one," said Dick; "at any rate in these times. Let us enter."

They did so, and saw that the place was sumptuously appointed. Though ancient, it was not large, having, as

they afterward discovered, been a fortification on an outer wall now demolished, which had been turned to

the purposes of a dwelling. Leaving the hall out of which opened the refectory, they mounted a stone stair to

Here they saw a strange and piteous sight. On a bed, about which candles still burned, lay a young woman

"Dead of the plague," said Hugh, "and deserted at her death. Well, she had better luck than many, since she

"Ay," answered Dick, "but fear took the watchers at last and they are fled. Well, we will fill their place, and,

if they do not return tomorrow, give her honourable burial in her own courtyard. Here be fine lodgings for

us, master, so let us bide in them until the rightful owners cast us out. Come, David, and help me raise that

Fine lodgings these proved to be indeed, since, as they found, no house in Avignon was better furnished with

all things needful. But, and this will show how dreadful were the times, during these days that they made this

their home they never so much as learned the name of that poor lady arrayed in the bride's dress and laid out

In the butteries and cellar were plentiful provisions of food. Having eaten of it with thankfulness, they chose

out one of the bedchambers and slept there quite undisturbed till the morning sun shone in at the

windowplaces and awoke them. Then they arose, and, digging a shallow grave in the courtyard with some

garden tools which they found in a shed, they bore out the poor bride, and, removing only her jewels, which

were rich enough, buried her there in her wedding dress. This sad duty finished, they washed themselves with

water from the well, and breakfasted. After they had eaten they consulted as to what they should do next.

"We came here to lay a certain cause before his Holiness," said Hugh. "Let us go up to the palace, declare our

So, leaving David in charge of the house, which they named the Bride's Tower 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 out and

made their way to the great entrance of the Pope's palace. Here they found the gates shut and barred, with a

Still they knocked until some guards appeared armed with crossbows, and asked their business. They said

they desired to see his Holiness, or at least one of his secretaries, whereon the guards asked whence they

came. They replied from Italy, and were told that if so they would find no entrance there, since the Death had

come from Italy. Now Hugh gave his name and stated his business on hearing which the guards laughed at

"Annulment of a false marriage!" said their captain. "Go lay your petition before Death, who will do your

business swiftly if he has not done it already. Get you gone, you English knight, with your white faced

squire. We want no English here at the best of times, and least of all if they hail from Italy."

"Come on, master," said Dick, "there are more ways into a house than by the front doorand we won't want

So they went away, wondering whither they should betake themselves or what they could do next. As it

chanced, they had not long to wait for an answer. Presently a lanternjawed notary in a frayed russet gown,

who must have been watching their movements, approached them and asked them 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, became deferential in his manner. Moreover, he announced that he was a notary named Basil of

Tours and one of the legal secretaries of his Holiness, who just now was living without the gates of the palace

by express command in order to attend to the affairs of suitors at the Papal Court during the Great Sickness.

He added, however, that he was able to communicate with those within, and that doubtless it might be in his

power to forward the cause of the noble knight, Sir Hugh de Cressi, in which already he took much interest.

Basil answered with a smirk that fees and legal affairs were inseparable; the latter naturally involved the

former. Not that he cared for money, he remarked, especially in this time of general woe. Still, it would never

do for a lawyer, however humble, to create a precedent which might be used against his craft in better days.

Hugh handed him double what he asked, whereon he began to manifest great zeal in his case. Indeed, he

accompanied them to the fortified house that they had named the Bride's Tower, which he alleged, with or

without truth, he had never seen before. There he wrote down all particulars of the suit.

"Sir Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina?" he said presently. "Why I think that a lord of

those names had audience with his Holiness some while ago, just before the pest grew bad in Avignon and

the gates of the palace were ordered to be shut. I know not what passed on the occasion, not having been

"Find out also, if it pleases you, learned Basil," said Hugh, "whether or no this knight with the three names is

"I will, I will," answered the lanternjawed notary. "Yet I think it most unlikely that any one who can buy or

beg a horse to ride away on should stay in this old city just now, unless indeed, the laws of his order bind him

to do so that he may minister to the afflicted. Well, if the pest spares me and you, tomorrow morning I will

"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 after a

day of much heat, one evening a man clad in a red and yellow cap, who wore a cloak of thick black furs and

necklaces of black pearls, was seen standing in the marketplace. Indeed, I saw him myself. There was

something so strange and dreadful about the appearance of this man, although it is true that some say he was

no more than a common mountebank arrayed thus to win pence, that the people set upon him. They hurled

stones at him, they attacked him with swords and every other weapon, and thought that they had killed him,

when suddenly he appeared outside the throng unhurt. Then he stretched out his whitegloved hand toward

"Only," added Basil nervously, "it was noted afterward that all those who 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 them back,

"A strange story," said Hugh, "though I have heard something like it in other cities through which we have

"We have learned two things, master," said Dick, when the lawyer had bowed himself out. "First, that Acour

is, or has been, in Avignon, and secondly, that Murgh the Messenger, Murgh the Sword, has been or is in

Avignon. Let us go seek for one of the other of them, since for my part I desire to meet them both."

Next morning Basil reappeared, according to his promise, and informed them that their business was on foot.

Also he said that it was likely to prove more difficult than he anticipated. Indeed, he understood that he who

was named de Noyon and Cattrina, having friends among the cardinals, had already obtained some

provisional ratification of his marriage with the lady Eve Clavering. This ratification it would now be costly

Hugh answered that if only he could be granted an audience with his Holiness, he had evidence which would

The notary scratched his lantern jaws and asked how that could be brought about when every gate of the

palace was shut because of the plague. Still, perhaps, it might be managed, he added, if a certain sum were

Hugh gave him the sum out of the store of gold they had taken from the robbers in the mountains, with

something over for himself. So Basil departed, 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 Saints that it might do.

"I mistrust me of that hungry wolf in sheep's clothing who talks so large 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 would have been wiser to follow Basil. A

debased and fraudulent lawyer of no character at all, this man lived upon such fees as he could wring without

authority from those who came to lay their suits before the Papal Court, playing upon their hopes and fears

and pretending to a power which he did not possess. Had they done so, they might have seen him turn up a

certain side street, and, when he was sure that none watched him, slip into the portal of an ancient house

Mounting some stairs without meeting any one, for this house, like many others, seemed to be deserted in

"Begone, whoever you are," growled a voice from within. "Here there are neither sick to be tended nor dead

Had they been there to hear it, Hugh and Dick might have found that voice familiar.

"Noble lord," he replied, "I am the notary, Basil, and come upon your business."

"Maybe," said the voice, "but how know I that you have not been near some case of foul sickness and will not

"Have no fear, lord; I have been waiting on the healthy, not on the sicka task which I leave to others who

Then the door was opened cautiously, and from the room beyond it came a pungent odour of aromatic

essences. Basil passed in, shutting it quickly behind him. Before him at the further side of the table and near

to a blazing fire stood Acour himself. He was clothed in a long robe and held a piece of linen that was soaked

"Nay, come no nearer," he said to the clerk, "for this infection is most subtle, andbe so good as to cast off

Basil obeyed, revealing an undergarment that was still more foul. He was not one who wasted money on new

"Well, man," said Acour, surveying him with evident disgust and throwing a handful of dried herbs upon the

fire, "what news now? Has my cause been laid before his Holiness? I trust so, for know that I grow weary of

being cooped up here like a falcon in a cage with the dread of a loathsome death and a handful of frightened

"Yes, lord, it has. I have it straight from Clement's own secretary, and the answer is that his Holiness will

attend to the matter when the pest has passed away from Avignon, and not before. He adds also that when it

does so, if ever, all the parties to the cause, by themselves or by their representatives, must appear before him.

He will give no ex parte judgment upon an issue which, from letters that have reached him appears to be

"Mother of Heaven!" exclaimed Acour, "what a fool am I to let you in to tell me such tidings. Well, if that is

all you have to say the sooner I am out of this hateful city the better. I ride this afternoon, or, if need be, walk

"Indeed," said Basil. "Then you leave behind you some who are not so frightened of their health, but who

bide here upon a very similar errand. Doubtless, as often happens to the bold, they will find a way to fulfil it."

"A bold and warlike knight, a squire with hair like tow and a face that might be worn by Death himself, and a

"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 ago they were seen travelling toward the bridge

of St. B�n�zet in the company of certain Jews, whom, I am informed, they had rescued from the just reward

of their witchcraft. I have a note of all the facts, which include the slaying of sundry good Christians on

"Jews? Why, that is enough to hang them in these times. But what do they here and where do they lodge?"

"Like your lordship they strive to see the Pope. They desire that an alleged marriage between one Sir Edmund

Acour, Count of Noyon and Seigneur of Cattrina, and one lady Eve Clavering, an Englishwoman, may be

declared null and void. As they have been so good as to honour me with their confidence and appoint me

their agent, I am able to detail the facts. Therefore I will tell you at once that the case of this knight de Cressi

appears to be excellent, since it includes the written confession of a certain Father Nicholas, of whom perhaps

"Not as yet. So far I have been trusted with no original documents. Is it 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 of Acour's

"How much?" asked Acour. The man named a great sum, half to be paid down and half on the delivery of the

"I'll double it," said Acour, "if you can bring it about that these insolent Englishmen dieof the pest."

"How can I do that, lord?" asked Basil with a sour smile. "Such tricks might work backward. I might die, or

you. Still these men have committed crimes, and just now there is a prejudice against Jews."

"Ay," said Acour, "the Englishmen are sorcerers. I tell you that in Venice they were seen in the company of

that fiend of the yellow cap and the fur robe who appears everywhere before the pest."

"Prove it," exclaimed Basil, "and the citizens of Avignon will rid you of their troubling."

Then they debated long together and the end of it was that Basil departed, saying that he would return again

Hugh, Grey Dick, and David, trudged up and down through the streets of Avignon. All that long day they

trudged seeking news and finding little. Again and again they asked at the inns whether a knight who bore the

name of Acour, or de Noyon, or Cattrina, was or had been a guest there, but none whom they asked seemed

They asked it of citizens, also of holy priests, good men who, careless of their own lives, followed biers or

cartloads of dead destined to the plague pit or the river that they might pronounce over them the last blessings

of the Church. They asked it of physicians, some few of whom still remained alive, as they hurried from

house to house to administer to the sick or dying. But all of these either did not answer at all or else shrugged

their shoulders and went on their melancholy business. Only one of them called back that he had no time to

waste in replying to foolish questions, and that probably the knight they sought was dead long ago or had fled

Another man, an officer of customs, who seemed half dazed with misery and fear, said that he remembered

the lord Cattrina entering Avignon with a good many followers, since he himself had levied the customary

tolls on his company. As for how long it was ago he could not say, since his recollection failed himso

much had happened since. So he bade them farewell until they met in heaven, which, he added, doubtless

The evening drew on. Wearily enough they had trudged round the great Roche des Doms, looking up at the

huge palace of the Pope, where the fires burned night and day and the guards watched at the shut gates, that

forbidden palace into which no man might enter. Leaving it, they struck down a street that was new to them,

which led toward their borrowed dwelling of the Bride's Tower. This street was very empty save for a few

miserable creatures, some of whom lay dead or dying in the gutters. Others lurked about in doorways or

behind the pillars of gates, probably for no good purpose. They heard the footsteps of a man following them

who seemed to keep in the shadow, but took no heed, since they set him down as some wretched thief who

would never dare to attack three armed men. It did not occur to them that this was none other than the notary

Basil, clad in a new robe, who for purposes of his own was spying upon their movements.

They came to a large, ruinouslooking house, of which the gateway attracted Grey Dick's sharp eyes.

"Why, of the Preceptory at Dunwich. See, there are the same arms upon the stone shield. Doubtless once the

Knights Templar dwelt there. Sir Andrew may have visited this place in his youth."

As the words left his lips two men came out of the gateway, one of them a physician to judge by the robe and

the case of medicines which he carried; the other a very tall person wrapped in a long cloak. The physician

"She may live or she may die," he said. "She seems strong. The pest, you say, 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 the

other hand, she is now insensible, which often precedes the end. I can say no more; it is in the hands of God.

Yes, I will ask you to pay me the fee now. Who knows if you will be alive to do so tomorrow? If she dies

before then I recommend you to throw her into the river, which the Pope has blessed. It is cleaner burial than

the plague pit. I presume she is your granddaughtera beautiful woman. Pity she should be wasted thus,

but many others are in a like case. If she awakes give her good food, and if you cannot get thatwine, of

"Little have you told me, physician, that I did not know already," said the tall hooded figure, in a deep voice

the sound of which thrilled Hugh to his marrow. "Yet you are right; it is in the hands of God. And to those

"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 a knight 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 in Avignon, though it is like enough that

"Ay, at Blythburgh in Suffolk; but who are you that speak in English and know of Blythburgh in Suffolk?"

"Hugh de Cressi, by Christ's holy Name!" he exclaimed. "Yes, and Richard the 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

"One thing I desire to learn most of all, Father; the rest can wait. Who is the sick lady of whom you spoke to

"Nay, son: who said so? She is ill, not dying, who, I believe, will live for many years."

"You believe, Father, you believe! Why this foul plague scarce spares one in ten. Oh! why do you believe?"

"God teaches me to do so," answered the old knight solemnly. "I only sent for that physician because he has

medicines which I lack. But it is not in him and his drugs that I put my trust. Come, let us go in and see her."

So they went up the stairs and turned down a long passage, into which the light flowed dimly through large

"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 wind as though some one stirred the air."

Grey Dick also opened his lips to speak, then changed his mind and was silent, but Sir Andrew said

"I saw no one, therefore there was no one to see. Enter!" and he opened the door.

"Bide you here, Richard, with your companion," said Sir Andrew. "Hugh, follow me, and let us learn whether

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 to which stood a lamp that showed, sitting

up in the bed, a beautiful young woman, whose dark hair fell all about her. Her face was flushed but not

wasted or made dreadful by the sickness, as happened to so many. There she sat staring before her with her

large dark eyes and a smile upon her sweet lips, like one that muses on happy things.

"See," whispered Sir Andrew, "she is awakened from her swoon. I think I did not trust in vain, my son."

"Is that you, Father?" she asked dreamily. "Draw near, for I have such a strange story to tell you."

"Do physicians in Avignon wear caps of red and yellow and robes of black fur and strings of great black

pearls that, to tell truth, I coveted sorely?" she asked, laughing a little. "No, no. If this were a physician, he is

of the sort that heals souls. Indeed, now that I think of it, when I asked him his name and business, he

answered that the first was the Helper, and the second, to bring peace to those in trouble."

"You think I wander," she said, interpreting the tone of his voice and not his words, "but indeed it is not so.

Well, he said little; only that I had been very ill, near to death, in truth, much nearer than I thought, but that

now I should recover and within a day or two be quite well and strong again. I asked him why he had come to

tell me this. He replied, because he thought that I should like to know that he had met one whom I loved in

the city of Venice in Italy; one who was named Hugh de Cressi. Yes, Father, he said Hugh de Cressi, who,

with his squire, an archer, had befriended him thereand that this Hugh was well and would remain so, and

that soon I should see him again. Also he added that he had met one whom I hated, who was named the lord

of Cattrina, and that if this Cattrina threatened me I should do wisely to fly back to England, 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 in their madness. Now be strong lest joy

Then he turned to the shadow behind him and said, "Come." Next instant Hugh was kneeling at Eve's bedside

Oh! they had much to say to each other, so much that the half of it remained unsaid. Still Hugh learned that

she and Sir Andrew had come to Avignon upon the Pope's summons to lay this matter of her alleged marriage

before him in person. When they reached the town they found it already in the grip of the great plague, and

that to see his Holiness was almost impossible, since he had shut himself up in his palace and would admit no

one. Yet an interview was promised through Sir Andrew's highplaced friends, only then the sickness struck

Eve and she could not go, nor was Sir Andrew allowed to do so, since he was nursing one who lay ill.

Then Hugh began to tell his tale, to which Eve and Sir Andrew Arnold listened greedily. Of Murgh, for

sundry reasons, he said nothing, and of the fight from which Acour had fled in Venice before the earthquake

but little. He told them, however, that he had heard that this Acour had been or was in Avignon and that he

had learned from a notary named Basil, whom he, Hugh, had retained, that Acour had won from the Pope a

"A lie!" interrupted Sir Andrew. "His Holiness caused me to be informed expressly that he would give no

As he said the words a disturbance arose in the outer room, and the harsh voice of Grey Dick was heard

"Back, you dog! Would you thrust yourself into the chamber of the lady of Clavering? Back, or I will cast

Sir Andrew went to see what was the matter, and Hugh, breaking off his tale, followed him, to find the

notary, Basil, on his knees with Grey Dick gripping him by the collar of his robe.

"Sir Knight," said Basil, recognizing Hugh, "should I, your faithful agent, be treated thus by this fiercefaced

"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 I chanced to see you enter, in order to give

you some good tidings. Then this fellow caught me by the throat and said that if I dared to break in upon the

"Then, Sir Knight, he might have executed them less roughly. Had he but told me that you were alone with

some lady, I should have understand and withdrawn for a while, although to do so would have been to let

"Cease your foul talk and state your business," interrupted Sir Andrew, thrusting himself in front of Hugh,

"And pray, who may you be?" asked the lawyer, glancing up at the tall figure that towered above him.

Sir Andrew threw back his hood, revealing his aged, hawklike countenance, his dark and flashing eyes and

"If you would learn, man," he said, in his great voice, "in the world I was known as Sir Andrew Arnold, one

of the priors of the Order of the Templars, which is a name that you may have heard. But now that I have laid

aside all worldly pomp and greatness, I am but Father Andrew, of Dunwich, 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 these matters

came to my knowledge who am concerned in every great business in Avignon as the chief agent and

procurator of the Papal Court, though it is true that this tiding has reached me only within the last few

minutes and from the lips of your own people. Holy Father, I pray your pardon for breaking in upon you,

which I did only because the matter is very pressing. Sir Hugh de Cressi here has a cause to lay before the

Pope with which you may be acquainted. Well, for two days I have striven to win him an audience, and now

through my sole influence, behold! 'tis granted. See here," and he produced a parchment that purported to be

"'If the English knight, Sir Hugh de Cressi, and his squire, the captain Richard, will be in the chamber of

audience at the palace at seven of the clock this evening' (that is, within something less than half an hour), 'his

Holiness will be pleased to receive them as a most special boon, having learned that the said Sir Hugh is a

knight much in favour with his Grace of England, who appointed him his champion in a combat that was

"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 power in Avignon as I, although it often

pleases me to seem poor and of no account. But let that pass. Either you must take this opportunity or be

content not to see his Holiness at all. Orders have been issued because of the increase of this pest in Avignon,

that from tonight forward none shall be admitted to the palace upon any pretext whatsoever; no, not even a

"Ay," answered Sir Andrew, "and return here with your tidings as soon as may be. Yet," he added in a low

voice to Grey Dick, "I love not the look of this scurvy guide of yours. Could not your master have found a

"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 he will serve our turn. At least, if he plays tricks, I promise it will be the worse for

him," and he looked grimly at the rogue, who was talking to David Day and appeared to hear nothing.

So they went, and with them David, who had witnessed the confession of Father Nicholas. Therefore they

thought it best that he should accompany them to testify to it if there were need.

"Bid my lady keep a good heart and say that I will be with her again ere long," said Hugh as they descended

Following the guidance of Basil, they turned first this way and then that, till soon in the gathering darkness

"What was the name of the street in which Sir Andrew had his lodging?" asked Hugh, halting.

"Did you tell Sir Andrew where we dwelt, master?" said Dick presently, "for I did not."

"Then it will be hard for him to find us if he has need, master, in this rabbit warren of a town. Still that can't

be mended now. I wish we were clear of this business, for it seems to me that yon fellow is not leading us

toward the palace. Almost am I minded" and he looked at Basil, then checked himself.

Presently Dick wished it still more. Taking yet another turn they found themselves in an open square or

garden that was surrounded by many mean houses. In this square great pestfires burned, lighting it luridly.

By the flare of them they saw that hundreds of people were gathered there listening to a madeyed friar who

was preaching to them from the top of a winecart. As they drew near to the crowd through which Basil was

"Men of Avignon, this pest which kills us is the work not of God, but of the Jew blasphemers and of the

sorcerers who are in league with them. I tell you that two such sorcerers who pass as Englishmen are in your

city now and have been consorting with the Jews, plotting your destruction. One looks like a young knight,

but the other has the face of Death himself, and both of them wrought murders in a neighbouring town to

protect the Jews. Until you kill the accursed Jews this plague will never pass. You will die, every one of you,

"See!" he screamed. "There are the wizards who in Venice were seen in the company of the Enemy of

Mankind. That good Christian, Basil, has brought them face to face with you, as he promised me that he

As he heard these words Hugh drew his sword and leapt at Basil. But the rogue was watching. With a yell of

So the three of them ranged themselves together facing outward. In front of 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

A man struck at them with a halbert, but the blow fell short, for he was afraid to come too near. Grey Dick

leapt forward, and in a moment was back 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:

"Some," answered a voice from the outer shadow, though who spoke they could not see.

Then came a rush and a counterrush. Fighting began around them in which they 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

"Now, master, we are alone," said Grey Dick. "Set your shoulders against mine and let us die a death that

"Ay, ay!" answered Hugh. "But don't overreach, Dick, 'tis ever the archer's fault."

The mob closed in on them, then rolled back like water from a rock, leaving some behind. Again they closed

Almost before the words had left his lips the great black bow he bore was out and strung. Next instant the

shafts began to rush, piercing all before 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 in answer from this side and from that,

"Unstring your bow, Dick, and let us charge," said Hugh. "We have no other chance save flight. They'll pelt

Dick did not seem to hear. At least he shot on as one who was not minded to die unavenged. An arrow

whistled through Hugh's cap, lifting it from his head, and another glanced from the mail on his shoulder. He

ground his teeth with rage, for now none would come within reach of his long sword.

"Goodbye, friend Dick," he said. "I die charging," and with a cry of "A Cressi! A Cressi!" he sprang

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 the gleam of the grey axe. Still they must have fallen, for their

pursuers closed in behind them like hunting hounds when they view the quarry, and there were none to guard

Then again there came a rush of darkbrowed men, who hissed and whistled as they fought.

So fierce was the rush that those who followed them were cut off, and Dick, glancing back over his shoulder,

saw the madeyed priest, their leader, 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

"Which way now?" gasped Hugh, looking back at the square where in the flare of the great fires Christians

and Jews, fighting furiously, looked like devils struggling in the mouth of hell.

As he spoke a shockheaded, halfclad lad darted up to them and Dick lifted 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

"Lead on then, kin of Rebecca," exclaimed Hugh, "but know that if you cheat us, you die."

"Swift, swift!" cried the lad, "lest those swine should reach your house before you," and, catching Hugh by

Down the dark streets they went, past the great rock where the fires burned at the gates of the palace of the

Pope, then along more streets and across an open place where thieves and nightbirds peered at them

curiously, but at the sight of their drawn steel, slunk away. At length their guide halted.

"See!" he said. "There is your dwelling. Enter now and up with the bridge. Hark! They come. Farewell."

He was gone. From down the street to their left rose shouts and the sound of many running feet, but there in

front of them loomed the Tower against the black and rainy sky. They dashed across the little drawbridge that

spanned the moat, and, seizing the cranks, wound furiously. Slowly, ah! how slowly it rose, for it was heavy,

and they were 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, thirsting for their blood and guessing where they would refuge, appeared

in front of it and by the light of some torches which they bore, caught sight of them.

"Come in, friends," mocked Grey Dick as they ran up and down the edge of the moat howling with rage and

disappointment. "Come in if you would sup on arrowheads such as this," and he sent one of his deadly

shafts through the breast of a redheaded fellow who waved a torch in one hand and a blacksmith's hammer

"The Jews shall not save you again, wizards, for if we cannot come at you to kill you, we'll starve you till you

die. Stay there and rot, or step forth and be torn to pieces, as it pleases you, English wizards."

Then they all slunk back and vanished, or seemed to vanish, down the mouths of the dark streets that ran into

"Now," said Dick, wiping the sweat from his brow as they barred the massive door of the house, "we are safe

for this night at least, and can eat and sleep in peace. See you, master, I have taken stock of this old place,

which must have been built in rough times, for scarce a wall of it is less than five feet thick. The moat is deep

all round. Fire cannot harm it, and it is loopholed for arrows and not commanded by any other building,

having the open place in front and below the wide fosse of the ancient wall, upon which it stands. Therefore,

even with this poor garrison of two, it can be taken only by storm. This, while we have bows and arrows, will

"Ay, Dick," answered Hugh sadly, "doubtless we can make a fight for it and take some with us to a quieter

world, if they are foolish enough to give us a chance. But what did that fellow shout as to starving us out?

"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 the marriage

feast, or perchance when the plague began, knowing that it would bring scarcity. The cupboards and the

butteries are filled with flour, dried flesh, wine, olives and oil for burning. Even if these should fail us there

are the horses in the stable, which we can kill and cook, for of forage and fuel I have found enough."

"Then the Pope should not be more safe than we, Dick," said Hugh with a weary smile, "if any are safe in

Avignon today. Well, let us go and eat of 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 are lodged. Dick, Dick, that knave

"Ay, master," said Dick, setting his grim lips, "but let him pray his Saint that before all is done I do not fool

Seven long days had gone by and still Hugh and Grey Dick held out in their Tower fortress. Though as yet

unhurt, they were weary indeed, since they must watch all night and could only sleep by snatches in the

As they had foreseen, except by direct assault, the place proved impregnable, its moat protecting it upon three

sides and the sheer wall of the old city terminating in the deep fosse upon the fourth. In its little armoury,

among other weapons they had found a great store of arrows and some good bows, whereof Hugh took the

best and longest. Thus armed with these they placed themselves behind the loopholes of the embattled

gateway, whence they could sweep the space before them. Or if danger threatened them elsewhere, there

were embrasures whence they could command the bases of the walls. Lastly, also, there was the central

Thrice they had been attacked, since there seemed to be hundreds of folk in Avignon bent upon their

destruction, but each time their bitter arrows, that rarely seemed to miss, had repulsed the foe with loss. Even

when an onslaught was delivered on the main gateway at night, they had beaten their assailants by letting fall

upon them through the machicoulis or overhanging apertures, great stones that had been piled up there,

Still the attacks did not slacken. Indeed the hate of the citizens of Avignon against these two bold

Englishmen, whose courage and resource they attributed to help given to them by the powers of evil, seemed

to grow from day to day, even as the plague grew in the streets of that soreafflicted city. From their walls

they could see friars preaching a kind of crusade against them. They pointed toward the tower with crucifixes,

invoking their hearers to pull it stone from stone and slay the wizards within, the wizards who had conspired

with the accursed Jews even beneath the eyes of his Holiness the Pope, to bring doom on Avignon.

The eighth morn broke at length, and its first red rays discovered Hugh and Dick kneeling side by side behind

the battlements of the gateway. Each of them was making petition to heaven in his own fashion for

forgiveness of his sins, since they were outworn and believed that this day would be their last.

"What did you pray for, Dick?" asked Hugh, glancing at his companion's fierce face, which in that half light

"What did I pray for? Well, for the first part let it be; that's betwixt me and whatever Power sent me out to do

its business on the earth. But for the lastI'll tell you. It was that we may go hence with such a guard of dead

French as never yet escorted two Englishmen from Avignon to heavenor hell. Ay, and we will, master, for

today, as they shouted to us, they'll storm this tower; but if our strength holds out there's many a one who'll

"Rather would I have died peacefully, Dick. Yet the blood of these hounds will not weigh upon my soul,

seeing that they seek to murder us for no fault except that we saved a woman and two children from their

cruel devilries. Oh! could I but know that Red Eve and Sir Andrew were safe away, I'd die a happy man."

"I think we shall know that and much more before tomorrow's dawn, master, or never know anything again.

Look! they gather yonder. Now let us eat, for perhaps later we shall find no time."

The afternoon drew on toward evening and still these two lived. Of all the hundreds of missiles which were

shot or hurled at them, although a few struck, not one of them had pierced their armour so as to do them hurt.

The walls and battlements or some good Fate had protected them. Thrice had the French come on, and thrice

they had retreated before those 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 to a priest, the same madeyed fellow who preached in the square when the notary

Basil led them into a trap, and to a man with him who bore a white cloth upon a lance. "Shall I shoot them?"

"Nay," answered Hugh; "why kill crazed folk who think that they serve God in their own fashion? We will

"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 this city and from the Church to summon you to surrender, and if you will

"That, you shameless friar," answered Hugh, "you have been striving to do these many days. Yet it is not we

who have been slain, although we stand 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 fires are alight already. Nay, nay, mad priest,

go back and tell those whom you have fooled that if they want us they can come and take us, which they'll

Then the furious friar began to curse them, hurling at them the anathemas of the Church, till at length Dick

"Now let us beware," said Dick. "The moon is near her full and will rise soon. They'll attack between times

"Ay," answered Hugh, "moreover, now this gateway is no place for us. Of arrows 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 and batter

"On the roof of the old tower, I think, whence we can hurl ourselves at last and so perhaps escape being taken

alive, and torment. Look you, Dick, that tower is mounted by three straight flights of steps. The first two of

these we'll hold with such arrows as remain to us there are three and twenty, as I thinkand the last with

axe and sword. Listen! They come! Take a brand from the hall hearth and let us go light the flambeaux."

So they went and set fire to the great torches of wood and tallow that were set in their iron holders to light the

steps of the tower. Ere the last of them was burning they heard their enemies ravening without.

"Listen!" said Hugh as they descended to the head of the first flight of stairs. "They are across the moat."

As he spoke the massive doors crashed in beneath the blows of a baulk of timber.

"Now," said Hugh, as they strung their bows, "six arrows apiece here, if we can get off so many, and the odd

The mob rushed into the hall below, waving torches and swords and hunting it as dogs hunt a covert.

"The English wizards have hid themselves away," cried a voice. "Let us burn the place, for so we are sure to

"Nay, nay," answered another voice, that of the mad friar. "We must have them beneath the torture, that we

may learn how to lift the curse from Avignon, and the names of their accomplices on earth and in hell.

"Little need to search," said Grey Dick, stepping out on to the landing. "Devil, go join your fellowdevils in

For a moment there followed the silence of consternation while the mob stood staring at their fallen leader.

Then with a yell of rage they charged the stair and that fray began which was told of in Avignon for

generations. Hugh and Dick shot their arrows, nor could they miss, seeing what was their target; indeed some

of those from the great black bow pinned foe to foe beneath them. But so crowded were the assailants on the

narrow stair that they could not shoot back. They advanced helpless, thrust to their doom by the weight of

Now they were near, the dead, still on their feet, being borne forward by the living, to whom they served as

shields. Hugh and Dick ran to the head 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 that it slew three men, piercing through the

body of one, the throat of the second and burying its barb in the skull of the third on the lowest step. Now

Dick unstrung his bow, and thrust it into its case on his shoulder, for he was minded that they should go

"Shafts have sung their song," he said, with a fierce laugh; "now it is the turn of the axe and sword to make

"Farewell, master. Oh, I hold this a merry death, such as the Saints grant 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 follow after and

greet you in the Gate of Death, where Murgh sits and keeps his count of passing souls."

"Farewell, friend," answered Hugh, "be she quick or dead, thus Red Eve would wish that I should die. A

Cressi! A Cressi!" he cried and drove his sword through the throat of a soldier who rushed at him.

They fought a very good fight, as doubtless the dead were telling each other while they passed from that red

stair to such rest as they had won. They had fought a very good fight and it was hard to say which had done

the best, Hugh's white sword or Dick's grey axe. And now, unwounded still save for a bruise or two, they

stood there in the moonlight upon the stark edge of the tall tower, the foe in front and black space beneath.

There they stood leaning on axe and sword and drawing their breath in great sobs, those two great harvestmen

For a while the evergathering crowd of their assailants remained still staring at them. Then the leaders began

"What shall we do?" asked one. "These are not men. No men could have fought as they have fought us for

seven days and at last have slain us like sparrows in a net and themselves remained unhurt."

"No," answered another, "and no mortal archer could send his shaft through the bodies of three. Still it is

"Yes, yes," broke in Grey Dick with his hissing laugh, "come and take us, you curs of Avignon. Having our

"Seize them," shouted the leader of the French. "Seize them!" echoed those who poured up the stairs behind.

But there the matter ended, since none could find stomach to face that axe and sword. So at length they took

"Bring bows and shoot them through the legs. Thus we shall bring them living to their trial," commanded the

captain of the men of Avignon. He was their fourth captain on that one day, for the other three lay upon the

Now Hugh and Dick spoke together, few words and swift, as to whether they should charge or leap from the

wall and have done with it. While they spoke a little cloud floated over the face of the moon, so that until it

"It's too risky," said Hugh. "If they capture us we must die a death to which I have no mind. Let us hurl our

"So be it," whispered Dick. "Do you aim at the captain on the left and I will take the other. Ready now! I

"I think so, too," Hugh whispered back, "I felt the touch of his garments. Only he seemed to pass us from

The cloud passed, and once again they were bathed in silver light. It showed the men of Avignon already

bending their bows; it showed Hugh and Grey Dick lifting axe and sword to hurl them. But between them and

their mark it showed also a figure that they knew well, a stern and terrible figure, wearing a strange cap of red

"Ay, Murgh the Fire, Murgh the Sword," said Dick, adding quietly, "it is true I was wondering whether he

See him they did, indeed, and for a moment there was silence on that crowded tower top where stood at least

a score of men, while their fellows packed the hall and stair below by hundreds. All stared at Murgh, and

"Satan! Satan come from hell to guard his own! Death himself is with you! 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 a

road. Now those below, thinking that it was the English wizards who slew them, struck back.

Presently all that stair and the crowded hall below, black as the mouth of the pit, for such lights as still burned

soon were swept away, rang with the screams and curses and stifled groans of the trodden down or dying. In

the pitchy darkness brother smote brother, friend trampled out the life of friend, till the steep steps were piled

high and the doorways blocked with dead. So hideous were the sounds indeed, that Hugh and Grey Dick

crossed themselves, thinking that hell had come to Avignon, or Avignon sunk down to hell. But Murgh only

At length, save for the moaning of those hurt men who still lived, the dreadful tumult sank to silence. Then

"You were about to seek me in the fosse of this high tower, were you not, Hugh de Cressi and Richard

Archer? A foolish thought, in truth, and a sinful, so sinful that it would have served you well if I had let you

come. But your strait was sore and your faith was weak, and I had no such command. Therefore I have come

to others whose names were written in my book. Ay, and being half human after allfor does not your creed

tell you that I was born of Sin? I rejoice that it is given to me to protect those who would have protected me

when I seemed to stand helpless in the hands of cruel men. Nay, thank me not. What need have I of your

thanks, which are due to God alone! And question me not, for why should I answer your questions, even if I

know those answers? Only do my bidding. This night seek whom you will in Avignon, but tomorrow ere the

dawn ride away, for we three must meet again at a place appointed before this winter's snows are passed."

"Have I not said that I answer no questions? Now go forth and follow the promptings of your heart till we

"It matters little what we do or leave undone, master, seeing that we are forefated men whom, as I think,

none can harm until a day that will not dawn tomorrow nor yet awhile. Therefore let us wash ourselves and

eat and borrow new garments, if we can find any that are not soiled, and then, if the horses are still unharmed,

"Nay, Dick, since first we must learn whether or no we leave friends behind us here."

"Ay, master, if you will. But since yonder Murgh said nothing of them, it was in my mind that they are either

"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 she would recover and be strong," answered Hugh bravely, although there was a

"Red Eve has other foes in Avignon besides the pest," muttered Grey Dick, adding: "still, let us have faith; it

They forced a way down the deadcumbered tower stair, crawling through the darkness over the bodies of

the fallen. They crossed the hall that also was full of dead, and of wounded whose pitiful groans echoed from

the vaulted roof, and climbed another stair to their chamber in the gateway tower. Here from a spark of fire

that still smouldered on the hearth, they lit the lamps of oliveoil and by the light of them washed off the

stains of battle, and refreshed themselves with food and wine. These things done, Dick returned to the hall

and presently brought thence two suits of armour and some cloaks which he had taken either from the walls

or from off the slain. In these they disguised themselves as best they could, as de Noyon had disguised

Then, having collected a store of arrows whereof many lay about, they departed by the back entrance. The

great front doorway was so choked with corpses that they could not pass it, since here had raged the last

fearful struggle to escape. Going to the little stableyard, where they found their horses unharmed in the

stalls, although frightened by the tumult and stiff from lack of exercise, they fed and saddled them and led

them out. So presently they looked their last upon the Bride's Tower that had sheltered them so well.

"It has served our turn," said Hugh, glancing back at it from the other side of the deserted square, "but oh, I

As he spoke a figure appeared from the shadow of a doorway, and ran toward them. Thinking it was that of

some foe, Dick lifted his axe to cut him down, whereon a voice cried in English:

"David!" exclaimed Hugh. "Then thanks be to God, for know, we thought you dead these many days."

"Ay, sir," answered the young man, "as I thought you. The rumour reached the 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 you both. Therefore I crept out to learn for myself. Now I have found you by your voices, who never

again hoped to look upon you living," and he began to sob in his relief and joy.

"Whither go you, sir?" asked David as he walked forward alongside of the horses.

"To seek that house where we saw Sir Andrew Arnold and the lady Eve," answered Hugh, "if by any chance

"That is easy, sir," said David. "As it happens, I passed it not much more than an hour ago and knew it

"Nay, the windows were dark. Also the Jew guiding me said he had heard that all who dwelt in that house

As they went David told them his story. It seemed that when he was struck down in the square where the

crazy friar preached, and like to be stabbed and trampled to death, some of the Jews dragged him into the

shadow and rescued him. Afterward they took him to a horrid and squalid quarter called La Juiverie, into

which no Christian dare enter. Here he lay sick of his hurts and unable to get out until that very afternoon; the

"Ay, at first that you were holding Dead Bride's Tower bravely. So as soon as I might, I came to join you

there if I could win in and you still 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 that tale is long. Still, David, you are a brave

lad who would have come to die with us, and my master will thank you when he can give his mind to such

"Ay, Dick; I heard two days ago that the French lord, Cattrina, whom Sir Hugh was to have fought at Venice,

"Doubtless because of the plague and he wished to go where there was none," answered Dick.

But Hugh groaned again, thinking to himself that Acour would scarcely have left Avignon if Eve were still

After this they went on in silence, meeting very few and speaking with none, for the part of the great city

through which they passed seemed to be almost deserted. Indeed in this quarter the pest was so fearful that all

who remained alive and could do so had fled elsewhere, leaving behind them only the sick and those who

"One thing I forgot to say," said David presently. "The Jews told me that they had certain information that the

notary knave Basil was paid by the lord Cattrina to lead us to that square where the fires burned in order that

we might be murdered there. Further, our death was to be the signal for the massacre of all the Jews, only, as

"As will Basil's neck if ever I meet him again," muttered Grey Dick beneath his breath. "Lord! what fools we

were to trust that man. Well, we've paid the price and, please God, so shall he."

Hugh and Dick leapt from their horses, the latter bidding David lead them into the courtyard and hold them

there. Then they entered the house, of which the door was ajar, and by the shine of the moon that struggled

through the windowplaces, crept up the stairs and passages till they reached those rooms where Sir Andrew

"Hist!" said Dick, and he pointed to a line of light that showed beneath the closed door.

Hugh pushed it gently and it opened a little. They looked through the crack, and within saw a man in a dark

robe who was seated at a table counting out gold by the light of a lamp. Just then he lifted his head, having

Without a word they entered the room, closing and bolting the door behind 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 which

Eve had lain sick. It was empty. Back he came again and in a terrible voice, said:

"Alas, Sir Knight," began the knave in a quavering voice, "both of them are dead."

"What!" cried Hugh supporting himself against the wall, for at this terrible news his knees trembled beneath

"Murdered them, Sir Knight! I do murder? I, a Christian and a man of peace! Never! And the noble lord of

Cattrina, Count de Noyon! Why, he wished to marry the lady, not to murder her. indeed he swore that she

"So you know all these things, do you, villain?" said Grey Dick, shaking him as a terrier shakes a rat.

"Sir Knight," went on the frightened fellow, "blame me not for the acts of God. He slew these noble persons,

not I; I myself saw the lovely lady carried 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,

Now Hugh groaned aloud, his eyes closed, and he seemed as though he were about to fall. Grey Dick, noting

it, for a moment let go of the notary and turned as though to help his master. Like a flash Basil drew a dagger

from under his dirty robe and struck at Dick's back. The blow was well aimed, nor could an unprotected man

on whom it fell have escaped death. 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 the slender dagger broke, its point falling harmless to the

ground. Next instant Dick had him again in his iron grip. Paying no further heed to Hugh, who had sunk to

the floor a huddled heap, he began to speak into the lawyer's ear in his slow, hissing voice.

"Devil," he said, "whether or no you murdered Red Eve and Sir Andrew Arnold the saint, I cannot say for

certain, though doubtless I shall learn in time. At least a while ago you who had taken our money, strove to

murder both of us, or cause us to be torn in pieces upon yonder square where the fires burned. Now, too, you

have striven to murder me with that bodkin of yours, not knowing, fool, that I am safe from all men. Well,

say your prayers, since you too journey to the plague pit, for so the gatherers of the dead will think you died."

"More lies," hissed Dick into his ear. "Nay, go tell them to the father of lies, for I have no time to waste in

Grey Dick looked at him. Kneeling down, he thrust his hands into the man's pockets, and took thence the gold

that he had been hiding away when they came upon him, no small sum as it chanced.

"Our own come back with interest," he said with one of his silent laughs, "and we shall need monies for our

faring. Why, here's a writing also which may tell those who can read it something."

He cast it on the table, then turned to his master, who was awakening from his swoon.

"Ay, sure enough, as he strove to kill me," and again he pointed, this time 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

"Rogue, you have cheated me as you cheat all men and now I follow her who has gone. Be sure, however,

"I know not," said Dick, "and the interpreter is silent," and he kicked the body of Basil. "Perhaps I was a little

"'Her who is gone,'" reflected Hugh aloud. "'Tis Red Eve who is gone and de Noyon is scarcely the man to

seek her among passed souls. Moreover, the Jews swear that he rode from Avignon two days ago. Come,

An hour later and they stood on the edge of that dreadful place, hearing and 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 to

"Friends," he said, "you seem to be in trouble. Can I help you, for Jesus' sake?"

"Perchance, holy Father," answered Hugh. "Tell us, you who watch this dreadful place, was a woman

"Alas, yes," said the priest with a sigh, "for I read the Office over her and others. Nay, what are you about to

do? By now she is two fathoms deep and burned away with lime so that none could know her. If you enter

there the guards will not let you thence living. Moreover, it is useless. Pray to God to comfort you, poor man,

Then Dick led, or rather carried, Hugh from the brink of that awesome, common grave.

It was the last night of February, the bitterest night perhaps of all that sad winter, when at length Hugh de

Cressi, Grey Dick, and David Day rode into the town of Dunwich. Only that morning they had landed at

Yarmouth after a long, long journey whereof the perils and the horrors may be guessed but need not be

written. France, through which they had passed, seemed to be but one vast grave over which the wail of those

Here in England the tale was still the same. Thus in the great seaport of Yarmouth scarcely enough people

were left alive to inter the unshriven dead, nor of these would any stay to speak with them, fearing lest they

had brought a fresh curse from overseas. Even the horses that they rode they took from a stable where they

whinnied hungrily, none being there to feed them, leaving in their place a writing of the debt.

Betwixt Yarmouth and Dunwich they had travelled through smitten towns and villages, where a few

wandered fearfully, distraught with sorrow or seeking food. In the streets the very dogs lay dead and in the

fields they saw the carcasses of cattle dragged from the smokeless and deserted steadings and half hidden in a

At the little port of Lowestoft they met a sullen sailorman who stood staring at the beach whereon his fishing

boat lay overturned and awash for lack of hands to drag it out of reach of the angry sea. They asked him if he

"Must I be forever pestered as to Dunwich? This is the third time of late that I have heard of Dunwich from

wandering folk. Begone thither and gather tidings for yourselves, which I hope will please you as well as they

"Now, if I were not in haste I would stay a while to teach you manners, you foulmouthed churl," muttered

"Let the fellow be," said Hugh wearily; "the men of Lowestoft have ever hated those of Dunwich, and it

seems that a common woe does not soften hearts. 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

So they rode on through Kessland, which they reached as night was closing in, through Benacre and

"Then I hope that we may overtake him," answered Hugh with a smile, "for I need his tidingsor his rest.

Oh! Dick, Dick," he added, "I wonder has ever man borne a heavier burden for all this weary while? If I were

sure, it would not be so bad, for when earthly hope is done we may turn to other comfort. But I'm not sure;

Basil may have lied. The priest by 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 than that. 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

"In this. I don't reckon of the next, mayhap there we shall be blind and not see. Besides, of what use is that

world to you where it is written that they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels?

You'll make no good angel, I'm thinking, while as for the lady Eve, she's too human for it as yet."

"Why do you think we shall see her on earth?" asked Hugh, ignoring these reflections.

"Because he who is called the Helper said as much, and whatever he may be he is no liar. Do you not

remember what Red Eve told you when she awoke from that dream of hers, which was no dream? And do

you not remember what Sir Andrew told you as to a certain meeting in the snow pest upon it!" and he

wiped some of the driving flakes from his face "Sir Andrew, who is a saint, and, therefore, like Murgh, can

"Because I love not argument, master, and if I had, you would ever have reasoned with me from Avignon to

"The gift of belief, master. A very great gift, seeing what a man believes is and will be true for him, however

false it may prove for others. He who believes nothing, sows nothing, and therefore reaps nothing, good or

"One whom I am not likely to forget, or you, either. One who is my master at archery and whose words, like

his arrows, though they be few, yet strike the heart of hidden truth. Oh, fear not, doubtless sorrow waits you

yonder," and he pointed toward Dunwich. "Yet it comes to my lips that there's joy beyond the sorrows, the

joy of battle and of lovefor those who care for love, which I think foolishness. There stands a farm, and the

farmer is a friend of mine, or used to be. Let us go thither and feed these poor beasts and ourselves, or I think

we will never come to Dunwich through this cold and snow. Moreover," he added thoughtfully, "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 are rusted with the sea. Who knows but that we may need them in Dunwich, or beyond, when we

So they rode up to the house and found Dick's friend, the farmer, lying dead there in his own yard, whither

his family had dragged him ere they determined to fly the place. Still, there was fodder in the stable and they

lit a fire in the kitchen hearth and drank of the wine which they had brought with them from the ship, and ate

of the bacon which still hung from the rafters. This done, they lay down to sleep a while. About one in the

morning, however, Hugh roused Dick and David, saying that he could rest no more and that something in his

"Then let us follow your heart, master," said Dick, yawning. "Yet I wish it had waited till dawn to move you.

Yes, let us follow your heart to good or evil. David, go you out and saddle up those nags."

For Dick had worked late at their mail and weapons, which now were bright and sharp again, and was very

It was after three in the morning when at length, leaving the heath, they rode up to Dunwich Middlegate,

expecting to find it shut against them at such an hour. But it stood open, nor did any challenge them from the

"They keep an ill watch in Dunwich nowadays," grumbled Dick. "Well, perchance there is one here to

Hugh made no answer, only pressed on down the narrow street, that was deep and dumb with snow, till at

length they drew reign before the door of his father's house, in the marketplace, the great house where he

was born. He looked at the windows and noted that, although they were unshuttered, no friendly light shone

in them. He called aloud, but echo was his only answer, echo and the moan of the bitter wind and the sullen

"Doubtless all men are asleep," he said. "Why should it be otherwise at such an hour? Let us enter and waken

"Yes, yes," answered Dick as he dismounted and threw the reins of his horse to David. "They are like the rest

So they entered and began to search the house by the dim light of the moon. First they searched the lower

chambers, then those where Hugh's father and his brothers had slept, and lastly the attics. Here they found the

"Yes, yes," answered Dick again, in a cheerful voice; "doubtless Master de Cressi and your brothers have

"Pray God they have escaped it!" muttered Hugh. "This place stifles me," he added. "Let us out."

"To Blythburgh Manor," he answered, "for there I may win tidings. David, bide you here, and if you can

So once more Hugh and Dick mounted their horses and rode away through the town, stopping now and again

before some house they knew and calling to its inmates. But though they called loudly none answered. Soon

they grew sure that this was because there were none to answer, since of those houses many of the doors

stood open. Only one living creature did they see in Dunwich. As they turned the corner near to the

Blythburgh Gate they met a greyhaired man wrapped up in tattered blankets which were tied about him with

haybands. He carried in his hand a beautiful flagon of silver. Doubtless he had stolen it from some church.

"Mad Tom," said Dick, recognizing the poor fellow. "Tell us, Thomas, where are the folk of Dunwich?"

"Stay! What of Master de Cressi?" called Hugh. But the tower of the church round which he had vanished

It was that, save those who had fled, the people of Dunwich were slain with the Sword of Pestilence, and all

They were on the Blythburgh Marshes, travelling thither by the shortest road. The moon was down and the

"Let us bide here a while," said Grey Dick as their horses blundered through the thick reeds. "It will soon be

sunrise, and if we go on in this gloom we shall fall into some boghole or into the river, which I hear running

So they halted their weary horses and sat still, for in his wretchedness Hugh 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

whiteflecked ocean, threw athwart the desolate marsh a fierce ray that lay upon the snows like a sword of

blood. They were standing on the crest of a little mound, and Dick, looking about him, knew the place.

"See," he said, pointing toward the river that ran near by, "it is just here that you killed young Clavering this

day two years ago. Yonder also I shot the French knights, and Red Eve and you leapt into the Blythe and

"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 be in the hollow?" and he pointed to a tall figure which stood beneath

"Let us go and see," said Dick, speaking almost in a whisper, for there was that about this figure which sent

Half a minute later they had ridden down the slope of the hollow. A puff of wind that came with the sun

drove away the mist. Dick uttered a choking cry and leapt from his saddle. For there, calm, terrible, mighty,

clothed in his red and yellow cap and robe of ebon furs, stood he who was named Murgh the Fire, Murgh the

They knelt before him in the snow, while, screaming in their fright, the horses fled away.

"Knight and Archer," said Murgh, in his icy voice, counting with the thumb of his whitegloved right hand

upon the hidden fingers of his left. "Friends, you keep your tryst, but there are more to come. Have patience,

Then he became quiet, nor dared they ask him any questions. Only at a motion of his arm they rose from their

A long while they stood thus in silence, till under Murgh's dreadful gaze Hugh's brain began to swim. He

looked about him, seeking some natural thing to feed his eyes. Lo! yonder was that which he might watch, a

hare crouching in its form not ten paces distant. See, out of the reeds crept a great red fox. The hare smelt or

saw, and leaped away. The fox sprang at it, too late, for the white fangs closed emptily behind its scut. Then

The hare and the fox, the dead reeds, the rising sun, the snowoh, who had told him of these things?

Ah! he remembered now, and that memory set the blood pulsing in his veins. For where these creatures were

He looked toward Murgh to see that he had bent himself and with his gloved hand was drawing lines upon

As though he understood, Dick obeyed, and began to hollow out a grave in the soft and boggy soil.

Hugh watched him like one who dreams, wondering who was destined to fill that grave. Presently a sound

Oh! certainly he was mad, for there over the rise not a dozen yards away came the beautiful ghost of Eve

Clavering, clad in her red cloak. With her was another ghost, that of old Sir Andrew Arnold, blood running

Hugh tried to speak, but his lips were dumb, nor did these ghosts take any heed of him, for their eyes were

fixed elsewhere. To Murgh they went and stood before him silent. For a while he looked at them, then asked

"The Man who came to visit me in my dream at Avignon and told me that I should live," she answered

"He whom I visited in my youth in far Cathay," answered the old knight in an awed whisper. "He who sat

beside the pool behind the dragon guarded doors and was named Gateway of the Gods. He who showed to

"We come from Avignon. We fled thence from one who would have done this maiden grievous wrong. He

followed us. Not an hour gone he overtook us with his knaves. He set them on to seize this woman, hanging

back himself. Old as I am I slew them both and got my death in it," and he touched 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,

he hunting us and seeking my life and her honour. Thus we found you as it was appointed."

Murgh turned his eyes. Following their glance, for the first time they saw Hugh de Cressi and near him Grey

Dick labouring at the grave. Eve stretched out her arms and so stood with head thrown back, the light of the

daybreak shining in her lovely eyes and on her outspread hair. Hugh opened his lips to speak but Murgh lifted

They turned and there, not twenty paces from them, clad in armour and seated on a horse was Edmund

Ere the words had left his lips the great black bow was bent and ere the echoes died away the horse, struck in

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 grave like one who takes no further heed of aught save his allotted task.

"Man," said the awful figure addressing him, "where have you been and what have you done since last we

Now, dragged word by slow word from his unwilling lips, came the answer of 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 strove to possess myself of yonder woman whom here in England, with the

help of one Nicholas, I had wed, when she was foully drugged. I strove to possess myself of her by fraud and

by violence. But some fate was against me. She and that aged priest bribed the knave whom I trusted. He

caused a dead man and woman dressed in their garments to be borne from their lodging to the plague pit

Here for a moment Grey Dick paused from his labours at the grave and looked up at Hugh. Then he fell to

"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 kill them and instead killed those whom I had sent after them. I learned that

the woman and the priest were not dead, but fled, and followed them, and after me came my enemy and his

familiar. Twice we passed each other on the road, once we slept in the same house. I knew them but they

knew me not and the Fate which blinded me from them, saved them also from all my plots to bring them to

their doom. The woman and the priest took ship to England, and I followed in another ship, being made mad

with desire and with jealous rage, for there I knew my enemy would find and win her. In the darkness before

this very dawn I overtook the woman and the priest at last and set my fellows on to kill the man. Myself I

would strike no blow, fearing lest my death should come upon me, and so I should be robbed of her. But God

fought with His aged servant who in his youth was the first of knights. He slew my men, then fled on with the

woman, Eve of 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 be mine, if only for an hour. I followed, and here at this

place of evil omen, where first I saw my foe, I found you, O Incarnate Sword of Vengeance."

Murgh unfolded his bare arms and lifted his head, which was sunk upon his breast.

"Your pardon," he said gently, "my name is Hand of Fate and not Sword of Vengeance. There is no

vengeance save that which men work upon themselves. 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 it is decreed shall fill it. Knights, the hour is at hand for you to

Hugh heard and drew his sword. Acour drew his sword also, then cried out, pointing to Grey Dick:

"Have no fear, Sir Thief and Liar," hissed Grey Dick, "for that shaft will not be needed. Slay the master if you

can and go safe from the squire," and he unstrung his black bow and hid it in its case.

Now Hugh stepped to where Red Eve stood, the wounded Sir Andrew leaning on her shoulder. Bending

"Soon, very soon, my sweet, whom I have lost and found again, you will be mine on earth, or I shall be yours

"In greeting, beloved, not in farewell," she answered as she kissed him back, "for if you die, know that I

"Nay, not for you, son, not for you," said Sir Andrew lifting his faint head. "One fights for you whom you do

not see, and against Him Satan and his servant cannot stand," and letting fall the sword hilt he stretched out

Now when Acour saw that embrace his jealous fury prevailed against his fears. With a curse upon his lips he

leapt at Hugh and smote, thinking to take him unawares. But Hugh was watching, and sprang back, and then

A wild joy shining in his eyes, Hugh grasped his long sword with both hands and struck. So great was that

blow that it bit through Acour's armour, beneath his right arm, deep into the flesh and sent him staggering

back. Again he struck and wounded him in the shoulder; a third time and clove his helm so that the blood

Back reeled Acour, back to the very edge of the grave, and stood there swaying to and fro. At the sight of his

For a while there was silence. There they stood and stared at the smitten man waiting the end, whatever it

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 dying strength, not at

Hugh, but at Red Eve. Past her ear it hissed, severing a little tress of her long hair, which floated down on to

Then Acour threw his arms wide and fell backwardfell backward and vanished in the grave.

Dick ran to look. There he lay dead, pierced through back and bosom by the point of his own sword.

For one brief flash of time a black doveshaped bird was seen hovering round the head of Murgh.

"Finished!" said Dick straightening himself. "Well, I had hoped to see a better fight, but cowards die as

Leaning on Red Eve's shoulder Sir Andrew limped to the side of the grave. They both looked down on that

"Daughter," said the old man, "through many dangers it has come about as I foretold. The bond that in your

drugged sleep bound you to this highborn knave is severed by God's sword of death. Christ have pity on his

sinful soul. Now, Sir Hugh de Cressi, come hither and be swift, for my time is short."

Hugh obeyed, and at a sign took Eve by the hand. Then, speaking very low and as quickly as he might for all

his life was draining from him through the red wound in his side, the old priest spoke the hallowed words that

bound these two together till death should part them. Yes, there by the graveside, over the body of the dead

Acour, there in the red light of the morning, amidst the lonely snows, was celebrated the strangest marriage

the world has ever seen. In nature's church it was celebrated, with the grim, grey Archer for a clerk, and

It was done and with uplifted, trembling hands Sir Andrew blessed them boththem and the fruit of their

bodies which was to be. He blessed them in the name of the allseeing God he served. He bade them put

aside their grief for those whom they had lost. Soon, he said, their short day done, the lost would be found

again, made glorious, and with them himself, who, loving them both on earth, would love them through

Then, while their eyes grew blind with tears, and even the fierce archer turned aside his face, Sir Andrew

staggered to where he stood who in the Land of Sunrise had been called Gateway of the Gods. Before him he

"O thou who dwellest here below to do the will of heaven, to thee I come as once thou badest me," he said,

Murgh let his eyes rest on him. Then stretching out his hand, he touched him very gently on the breast, and as

"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 the Lord of life and death to call thee home. Look up and pass!"

The old priest obeyed. It seemed to those who watched that the radiance on the face of Murgh had fallen upon

him also. He smiled, he stretched his arms upward as though to clasp what they might not see. Then down he

sank gently, as though upon a bed, and lay white and still in the white, still snow.

"Farewell for a little time," he said. "I must be gone. But when we meet again, as meet we shall, then fear me

Hugh de Cressi and Red Eve made no answer, for they knew not what to say. But Grey Dick spoke out

"Sir Lord, or Sir Spirit," he said, "save once at the beginning, when the arrow burst upon my string, I never

feared you. Nor do I fear your gifts," and he pointed to the grave and to dead Sir Andrew, "which of late 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 do you take one and leave another? Is it because you must, or because every shaft does

"Come hither, archer, and I will lay my hand upon your heart also and you shall learn."

"Nay," cried Grey Dick, "for now I have the answer to the riddle, since I know you cannot lie. When we die

Again that smile swept across Murgh's awful face though that smile was cold as the winter dawn. Then he

They watched him go till he became but a blot of fantastic colour that soon vanished on the moorland.

"Wife, let us away from this haunted place and take what joy we can. Who knows when Murgh may return

"Ay, husband won at last," she answered, "who knows? Yet, after so much fear and sorrow, first I would rest

So hand in hand they went till they, too, grew small and vanished on the snowy marsh.

But Grey Dick stayed there alone with the dead, and presently spoke aloud for company.

"The woman has him heart and soul," he said, "as is fitting, and where's the room between the two for an

archerchurl to lodge? Mayhap, after all, I should have done well to take yonder Murgh for lord when I had

the chance. Man, or god, or ghost, he's a fellow to my liking, and once he had led me through the Gates no

woman would have dared to come to part us. Well, goodbye, Hugh de Cressi, till you are sick of kisses and

the long shafts begin to fly again, for then you will bethink you of a certain bow and of him who alone can

Having spoken thus in his hissing voice, whereof the sound resembled that of an arrow in its flight, Grey

Dick descended into the grave and trod the earth over Acour's false and handsome face, hiding it from the

Then he lifted up the dead Sir Andrew in his strong arms and slowly bore him thence to burial.