fore, with a gang of
water pirates and robbers, and it is not one sword alone that you would
have to encounter. I think not that you are in danger just at present,
for he would know that, in case of your murder, the suspicions of Dame
Vernon and of any others who may know the motive which he has in getting
rid of you would be excited, and he might be accused of having had a
share in your death. Still, it would be so hard to prove aught against
him, that he may be ready to run the risk in order to rid himself of
you. Look here, Walter. What think you of this?" and the smith drew out
from a coffer a shirt of mail of finer work than Walter had ever before
seen.

"Aye, lad, I knew you would be pleased," he said in answer to Walter's
exclamation at the fineness of the workmanship. "I bought this a month
ago from a Jew merchant who had recently come from Italy. How he got it
I know not, but I doubt if it were honestly, or he would have demanded
a higher price than I paid him. He told me that it was made by the first
armourer in Milan, and was constructed especially for a cardinal of the
church, who had made many enemies by his evil deeds and could not sleep
for fear of assassination. At his death it came as the Jew said,
into his possession. I suppose some rascally attendant took it as a
perquisite, and, knowing not of its value, sold it for a few ducats to
the Jew. However, it is of the finest workmanship. It is, as you see,
double, and each link is made of steel so tough that no dagger or
sword-point will pierce it. I put it on a block and tried the metal
myself, and broke one of my best daggers on it without a single link
giving. Take it, lad. You are welcome to it. I bought it with a special
eye to you, thinking that you might wear it under your armour in battle
without greatly adding to the weight; but for such dangers as threaten
you now it is invaluable. It is so light and soft that none will dream
that you have it under your doublet, and I warrant me it will hold you
safe against the daggers of Sir James's ruffians."

Walter did not like taking a gift so valuable, for his apprenticeship as
an armourer had taught him the extreme rarity and costliness of so fine
a piece of work. Geoffrey, however, would not hear of his refusal, and
insisted on his then and there taking off his doublet and putting it
on. It fitted closely to the body, descending just below the hips, and
coming well up on the neck, while the arms extende