Aymer de Lacy at the Castle of
Roxford?" was the demand.

De Lacy waved the herald aside. "We seek the Countess of Clare who, we
have reason to believe, is held in durance here. In the name of the
King, we require you to surrender her forthwith."

"And if she be not here?"

"Then after due search, we will leave you undisturbed," the Knight
replied.

The other laughed tauntingly.

"You must needs have wings, fair sirs, to gain entrance here;" and with
a scornful gesture he disappeared below the parapet, and the blast of a
trumpet signified that the truce was ended.

De Lacy closed his visor, and for a time surveyed the fortress with
careful eye. Before him lay a moat full sixty feet across and two
thirds full of water, with no means of passage save the drawbridge,
that hung so high on its chains as to seem almost against the outer
portcullis. From the farther edge the wall rose solid and grim, and,
as he knew from Sir John, with no opening in all its circuit save the
gate directly opposite.

"It is evident the garrison is very small," De Bury observed, "else
they would not have abandoned the barbican without a blow."

"Undoubtedly; and if we can reach the gate or scale the wall the rest
is easy."

"I would we had a bombard or two that are lying idle in the armory at
Pontefract."

"They will not be needed," De Lacy answered. "We shall sleep in the
castle to-night."

Sir John smiled. "Have you found the wings the warder recommended?"

"We shall not require them; the gate is easier entrance than over the
walls--besides being the way naturally intended. This is not the first
time I have forced such a castle and won it by sundown. . . Giles, we
will try the flagons; let the ropes be made ready, and bid the archers
stand to their bows."

Sir John was regarding De Lacy with vexed surprise.

"Flagons!" he broke out. "Do you think to win the castle by pouring
wine on the waters of the moat?"

Aymer laughed. "It is a trick I learned among the Italians, though
they use hollow iron balls. There were none such at Pontefract, so I
substituted flagons; they are filled with powder, the mouth plugged
shut save for the fuse, and the whole is wrapped in a bag, also filled
with powder."

"How in the name of St. Luke do you expect to use them?"

"Come," said De Lacy, and led the way to the edge of the moat.

The squire was there uncoiling a long, stout rope with a broad iron
ball at one end. Fastening th