enough ere long, and many of us would
be glad of a square built like you."

Now, at lower tables, in that vast hall, Hugh's servants, and with them
Grey Dick, sat among the men-at-arms of the King's Guard, who were all
chosen for their courage, and skill in archery. These soldiers, noting
the strange-faced, ashen-haired 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 true that he could shoot well.

"As well as another," he answered, and would say no more.

Then they looked at his bow, and saw that it was old-fashioned, 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 growing angry, that he'd give the best of
them five points in fifty.

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 to-morrow
would sleep first and drink no more of your strong ale that breeds bad
humours in one reared upon dyke water."

Then, seizing his bow, he glided away in his curious stoat-like fashion
to the hole where he had been shown that he should sleep.

"A braggart!" said one.

"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
truth. At least, from his look I'd sooner not find him against me bow to
bow."

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 dark-browed 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,