rue name, Simon Gorges--the leader of your assailants, Sir John de
Bury, when yon Knight saved you--the abductor of the Countess of
Clare--the man who eluded you, Sir Aymer de Lacy, at the house in
Sheffield." And he laughed again. "And now do I thank your worship
for the proffered clemency to my fellows, and for the honor you have in
store for me. Yet am I scarce fit to stand before His Majesty; nor do
the followers of the Master of Roxford accept favor or life from the
enemy of their lord. Here await we the onslaught, fair sirs, and let
it come quickly that it may be quickly done."

"Stay!" cried De Lacy fiercely. "You have many more sins upon your
soul, doubtless, than those just vaunted, yet will you not do one
redeeming act ere you are sped? For of a verity you shall die ere the
shadows yonder lengthen by a span. Where, I ask you, shall I find the
Countess of Clare?"

Flat-Nose smiled.

"You will find her when you have topped these stairs," he answered, and
snapped his visor shut.

"I claim the villain!" De Bury exclaimed.

"Take him," said De Lacy--and whispered, to Giles Dauvrey: "Keep behind
Sir John, and if he weaken take his place until I come."

Then with the old Knight in the middle and Aymer and Raynor Royk on
either hand, they advanced to the fight.

But whereas at the gate they were on equal footing, here the assailed
had vastly the advantage; for standing on the edge of the landing,
where the stairs divided, they were high above their foes. So the
conflict began warily; and on the third step below the three halted and
made play with the three above, seeking for a chance to rush up and get
on even terms. But the others were not to be confused by tricks or
taken unaware, and were content to act only on the defensive and wait
their opportunity. And so they struggled for a while, with no result
on either side save that the strain grew heavy and the breath came
harder than at first.

Suddenly, Gorges' heavy blade found an opening, and Sir John de Bury,
with a great hole in his helmet, staggered back and sank into the arms
of the men behind him. But it brought no respite to the victor, for
Giles Dauvrey stepped into the vacant place and his sword and
Flat-Nose's rang viciously together.

With a groan De Lacy marked the old Knight's fall; then as for an
instant his opponent's eye wandered thither, he sprang up inside his
stroke, and gripping him with both hands about the ankles threw him