n, at the stair-head, cried that
he had called for horse, and was gone. "Pest on him!" said De Aquila. "I
have more to do than to shiver in the Great Hall for every gadling the
King sends. Left he no word?"

'"None," said Jehan, "except"--he had been with De Aquila at
Santlache--"except he said that if an old dog could not learn new tricks it
was time to sweep out the kennel."

'"Oho!" said De Aquila, rubbing his nose, "to whom did he say that?"

'"To his beard, chiefly, but some to his horse's flank as he was girthing
up. I followed him out," said Jehan the Crab.

'"What was his shield-mark?"

'"Gold horseshoes on black," said the Crab.

'"That is one of Fulke's men," said De Aquila.'

Puck broke in very gently, 'Gold horseshoes on black is _not_ the Fulkes'
shield. The Fulkes' arms are----'

The knight waved one hand statelily.

'Thou knowest that evil man's true name,' he replied, 'but I have chosen
to call him Fulke because I promised him I would not tell the story of his
wickedness so that any man might guess it. I have changed _all_ the names
in my tale. His children's children may be still alive.'

'True--true,' said Puck, smiling softly. 'It is knightly to keep faith--even
after a thousand years.'

Sir Richard bowed a little and went on:--

'"Gold horseshoes on black?" said De Aquila. "I had heard Fulke had joined
the Barons, but if this is true our King must be of the upper hand. No
matter, all Fulkes are faithful. Still, I would not have sent the man away
empty."

'"He fed," said Jehan. "Gilbert the Clerk fetched him meat and wine from
the kitchens. He ate at Gilbert's table."

'This Gilbert was a clerk from Battle Abbey, who kept the accounts of the
Manor of Pevensey. He was tall and pale-coloured, and carried those
new-fashioned beads for counting of prayers. They were large brown nuts or
seeds, and hanging from his girdle with his penner and inkhorn they
clashed when he walked. His place was in the great fireplace. There was
his table of accounts, and there he lay o' nights. He feared the hounds in
the Hall that came nosing after bones or to sleep on the warm ashes, and
would slash at them with his beads--like a woman. When De Aquila sat in
Hall to do justice, take fines, or grant lands, Gilbert would so write it
in the Manor-roll. But it was none of his work to feed our guests, or to
let them depart without his lord's knowledge.

'Said De Aquila, after Jehan was gone down the stair: "Hugh