as against that of
a noble. It is as bad for earthen pots to knock against brass ones, as
it is for a yeoman in a leathern jerkin to stand up against a knight in
full armour.

"But unless the lady knows her enemy she may fall again into his snares.

"I have thought of that," Geoffrey said, "and we will take measures to
prevent it."

"But how can we prevent it?" Walter asked, surprised.

"We must find out who this knight may be, which should, methinks, not
be difficult. Then we will send to him a message that his share in this
night's work is known to several, and that if any harm should ever again
be attempted against the lady or her daughter, he shall be denounced
before King Edward himself as the author of the wrong. I trust, however,
that we may capture the man of the swamp, and that the truth may be
wrung from him."

By this time they had arrived at the Guildhall, and making their way
into the court, Geoffrey demanded private speech with the Lord Mayor.

"Can you not say in open court what is you business?" the Lord Mayor
asked.

"I fear that if I did it would defeat the ends of justice."

Retiring with the chief magistrate into an inner room, Geoffrey
desired Walter to tell his story. This he did, ending by saying that
he regretted much that he had not at once told his master what he had
heard; but that, although he deemed evil was intended, he did not know
that murder was meant, and thought it but concerned the carrying off of
some damsel, and that this he had intended, by the aid of his comrades,
to prevent.

"You have done well, Master Walter, since that be your name," the
magistrate said. "That you might have done better is true, for had you
acted otherwise you might have prevented murder from being done. Still,
one cannot expect old heads upon young shoulders. Give me the names of
those who were with you, for I shall doubtless receive a message from
Westminster this morning to know if I have heard aught of the affair.
In the meantime we must take steps to secure these pirates of the marsh.
The ground is across the river, and lies out of my jurisdiction."

"It is for that reason," Geoffrey said, "that I wished that the story
should be told to you privately, since the men concerned might well
have sent a friend to the court to hear if aught was said which might
endanger them."

"I will give you a letter to a magistrate of Surrey, and he will
despatch some constables under your guidance to catch