r 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 the stairs in haste.

Following the guidance of Basil, they turned first this way and then
that, till soon in the gathering darkness they knew not where they were.

"What was the name of the street in which Sir Andrew had his lodging?"
asked Hugh, halting.

"Rue St. Benezet," answered Basil. "Forward, we have no time to lose."

"Did you tell Sir Andrew where we dwelt, master?" said Dick presently,
"for I did not."

"By my faith, Dick, no; it slipped my mind."

"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 pest-fires burned, lighting it luridly. By
the flare of them they saw that hundreds of people were gathered there
listening to a mad-eyed friar who was preaching to them from the top
of a wine-cart. As they drew near to the crowd through which Basil was
leading them, Hugh heard the friar shouting:

"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, with your wives and children
if you do not kill the Jews and their familiars."

Just then the man, rolling his wild eyes about, caught sight of Hugh and
Dick.

"See!" he screamed. "There are the wizards who in Venice were seen in
the company of the Enemy of Mankind