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 finish
that which you began at Crecy and at Venice."

Hugh heard and drew his sword. Acour drew his sword also, then cried
out, pointing to Grey Dick:

"Here be two against one. If I conquer he will shoot me with his bow."

"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 down he kissed her on the lips, saying:

"Soon, very soon, my sweet, whom I have lost and found again, you will
be mine on earth, or I shall be yours in heaven. This, then, in greeting
or farewell."

"In greeting, beloved, not in farewell," she answered as she kissed him
back, "for if you die, know that I follow hard upon your road. Yet I say
that yonder grave was not dug for you."

"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 his thin hand and blessed him.

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
the fray began, if fray it can be called.

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 t