ded a dish full of her blood, but it helped not
the lady. She and Balin rested in the castle for the night, where they
had good cheer. In the morning they proceeded again on their quest.

Three or four days now passed without adventure. At the end of that time
the knight and damsel found lodging in the house of a rich gentleman,
the owner of a fair estate. As they sat at supper Balin was moved by the
grievous complaints of one who sat beside him, and asked his host the
cause of this lamentation.

"It is this," said the host. "I was lately at a tournament, where I
twice overthrew a knight who is brother to King Pellam. He threatened to
revenge his defeat on my best friend, and has done so by wounding my
son. The hurt is a grievous one, and cannot be cured till I have some of
that knight's blood; but how to find him I know not, for his name is
unknown to me, and he always rides invisible."

"Aha!" cried Balin, "has that treacherous dog been at his murderous work
again? I know his name well. It is Garlon, and he has lately slain two
knightly companions of mine in the same base manner. I should rather
meet with that invisible wretch than have all the gold in this kingdom.
Let me see him once and he or I dies."

"I shall tell you what to do, then," said the host. "King Pellam of
Listeneise has announced a great feast, to be given within twenty days,
to which no knight can come unless he brings with him his wife or his
love. That false knight, your enemy and mine, will be there, and visible
to human eyes."

"Then, as I am a true knight," cried Balin, "you shall have of his blood
enough to twice heal your son's wound, if I die in the getting it."

"We shall set forward to-morrow," said the host, "and I hope it may be
as you say."

In the morning they rode towards Listeneise, which it took them fifteen
days to reach, and where the great feast began on the day of their
arrival. Leaving their horses in the stables, they sought to enter the
castle, but Balin's companion was refused admittance, as he had no lady
with him. Balin, however, having the damsel with him, was at once
received, and taken to a chamber where he laid aside his armor and put
on rich robes which the attendants brought him. They wished him to leave
his sword, but to this he objected.

"It is the custom of my country," he said, "for a knight always to keep
his weapon with him. This custom shall I keep, or depart as I came."

Hearing this, they objected