paring to depart and De Lacy drew his sword
and stood close beside the door. He wished only to disable the fellow;
but he would kill him rather than suffer him to escape. Just then, a
number of forms came slowly out of the darkness and at a motion from
the one in front flitted off toward the rear of the house. It was
Dauvrey and the men, at last, and the Knight gave a sigh of relief.

To avoid crossing the zone of light in regaining the place where he had
left his master, the squire drew close to the house and so chanced upon
him.

"Just in time," De Lacy whispered, "Flat-Nose is going."

An inside door was opened and a heavy step came down the stairs. There
was a fumbling with the fastenings of the street door; then it swung
back and a man stepped out and shut it behind him.

The next instant two pairs of strong arms closed around him, De Lacy's
hand fastened on his throat, he was borne to the ground, and before he
could struggle his legs were bound above the knees with Dauvrey's belt.
His arms were then quickly secured and a piece of cloth thrust into his
mouth as a gag. A low hiss brought the nearest soldier to guard him
and De Lacy and the squire cautiously entered the house.

It was darker there even than outside and they listened for a space;
but all was quiet. Then working carefully along the wall, they found
a door which stood ajar. De Lacy whispered to make a light, and the
squire, with as little noise as possible, struck the flint and ignited
the bit of candle he always carried in his pouch. As it flamed timidly
up they peered about them. The place was empty, save for a table and a
few chairs, but on each side was a door and in the rear the stairway to
the upper floor. An examination of the remaining two rooms was barren
of results; one was the kitchen and the other a sleeping chamber, but
the bed had not been disturbed. If the Countess of Clare were in the
house she was on the next floor; and, at least, the man who had been
with Flat-Nose must be there, so it would be two prisoners instead of
one if he were unable to give a good account of himself.

The stairs were old and shaky and creaked and groaned as they
cautiously ascended. And the noise was heard; for suddenly the door at
the head of the landing swung back--and Flat-Nose himself stood in the
opening.

"What is amiss, my lord?" he began--then stopped. "De Lacy!" he cried
and springing back hurled the door shut.

The appearance h