all we do now?'

"'We will have to keep the spy a prisoner until we escape.'

"'But they will search for him in the morning and in doing so will visit
this cell in my absence.'

"'I will don his cowl and habit over my armor and we will escape
tonight.'

"'That is impossible, all portals are closed and guarded by watchmen
stationed in the barbicans over each gateway. Nor can we scale the walls
because the watchmen do not sleep, being put to the torture if found
asleep. No one is permitted to leave after night.'

"'Then in the morning as you leave I will go wearing the garment of our
prisoner.'

"'It is not possible; each face is scrutinized and no one leaves without
a permit. I will leave at the regular time, procure from Sir John
Hawkwood two horses, which his servant will hold for us outside the
gate. When the horses are ready I will return; then we will leave
together.'

"Our plans settled, I returned to my dungeon and, locked in with our
prisoner, in a few minutes was asleep. The prisoner sat in one corner
on the floor and, from his appearance the next morning, evidently passed
an uncomfortable night.

"Before my friend left he passed down my sword, helmet, and the key to
the grating. He also cautioned the prisoner not to call out if any one
entered the upper cell.

"I set out a supply of food on which the prisoner and I breakfasted.
Then, expecting that the upper cell would be visited by a searching
party, I made the prisoner lie face down on my pallet, placing the edge
of my sword across the back of his neck and telling him if he made the
slightest sound I would cut off his head, I stood quietly waiting.

"These preparations were scarcely finished before two men entered the
upper cell and looking around a bit and trying the grating, which of
course was locked, they went on.

"About an hour later the friar returned and I climbed up the ladder,
locking the door after me.

"We put on our metal corselets and swords and over them slipping cowl
and habit, went out into the corridor and to the main portal. At the
gate were three guards wearing metal helmets, leather jackets and each
armed with sword and lance.

"My friend told the guard I was a visiting friar of the order and was to
leave in his company. This statement satisfied two of the guards, but
the third, more careful,--said; 'You must procure a permit from the
prelate before I will open the gate.'

"While arguing with him we edged towards the ga