alled 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 to miss his skull, and he
jerked up his horse's head to take the arrow."

"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, believing that when you have read
these letters it will be granted."

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

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

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

"--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 story--brave men
done to death for the sake of a woman who is rightly named Red Eve,"
mused the King.

"My Liege, I pray that you will read the letter herein enclosed. Hugh 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 Arnold."

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

"I was charged that it is for your Grace's eye alone," said Hugh as he
unfolded the paper. "Is it your pleasure that I read it aloud, if I ca