egretting much that they
had arrived too late to hinder the outrage, or to prevent the escape of
its perpetrators.

Walter on his return home related the whole circumstance to his master.

"I would you had told me, Walter," the latter said, "since we might have
taken precautions which would have prevented this foul deed from
taking place. However, I can understand your wanting to accomplish the
adventure without my aid; but we must think now what had best be said
and done. As the lady belongs to the court, there is sure to be a fine
pother about the matter, and you and all who were there will be examined
touching your share of the adventure, and how you came to be upon the
spot. The others will, of course, say that they were there under your
direction; and we had best think how much of your story you had better
tell."

"Why should I not tell it all?" Walter asked indignantly.

"You should never tell a lie, Walter; but in days like these it is safer
sometimes not to tell more than is necessary. It is a good rule in life,
my boy, to make no more enemies than may be needful. This knight, who
is doubtless a great villain, has maybe powerful friends, and it is as
well, if it can be avoided, that you should not embroil yourself with
these. Many a man has been knocked on head or stabbed on a dark night,
because he could not keep his tongue from wagging. 'Least said, the
sooner mended,' is a good proverb; but I will think it over tonight, and
tell you in the morning."

When they met again in the workshop the armourer said: "Clean yourself
up after breakfast, Walter, and put on your best clothes. I will go with
you before the mayor, and then you shall tell him your story. There is
sure to be a stir about it before the day is done. As we walk thither we
can settle how much of your story it is good to tell."

On their way over the bridge Geoffrey told Walter that he thought he had
better tell the whole story exactly as it had occurred, concealing only
the fact that he had recognized the knight's face. "You had best too,"
he said, "mention nought about the white cloak. If we can catch the man
of the hut in the swamp, likely enough the rack will wring from him
the name of his employer, and in that case, if you are brought up as a
witness against him you will of course say that you recognize his face;
but 'tis better that the accusation should not come from you. No great
weight would be given to the word of a 'prentice boy