nt into the courtyard. Their horses were
brought them and they mounted. Sir Lancelot was the last to pass
out of the banquet hall. As he was going through the door he
stepped upon a trap which Sir Malgrace had prepared for him. The
trapdoor fell and dropped him into a dark dungeon.

When the queen and her knights and ladies had ridden out of the
courtyard, they noticed that Sir Lancelot was not with them. They
supposed, however, that he had ridden off by himself, as was
often his custom, so they went without him to Camelot, and told
the king what had happened. He was very angry at Sir Malgrace's
accusation, but he was sure that Sir Lancelot would punish Sir
Malgrace, and so vindicate Queen Guinevere.

Meantime, the unhappy Sir Lancelot lay bruised in the dungeon,
feeling very sure that Sir Malgrace meant to starve him to death.
He lay hungry and thirsty for nearly two days. Then Sir Malgrace
peeped in to see if he were dead.

"Ah, traitor!" cried Sir Lancelot, "I shall overcome you yet."

At that Sir Malgrace shut the trapdoor hastily, as if he were
afraid that Sir Lancelot could leap up ten feet in the air. That
one look, however, cost the wicked knight dear, for the daughter
of the porter saw him shutting the trapdoor, and was curious to
know who was in the dungeon. So at night she opened the trapdoor
and let herself down by a rope.

When she saw Sir Lancelot she was very sorry for him. He offered
her much money if she would free him. At last she said:

"I will do it for love of Queen Guinevere and not for money."

She let him climb up by the rope, and took him out of the
courtyard. He was so sick that he went to a hermit's hut and
rested for several days. When next Sir Malgrace looked into the
dungeon he heard no movement. Then he rejoiced greatly, for he
thought Sir Lancelot was dead.

When the eighth day had come, all the knights of the Round Table
assembled in the tournament field and waited for Sir Lancelot to
appear. They all thought he would surely come. But Sir Malgrace
rode jauntily about the field. Many of the knights wondered at
his courage, not knowing the reason for his confidence.

The herald blew his trumpet once, but Sir Lancelot did not
appear; twice, and still he did not come. Then up started several
knights and begged the king to let them fight instead of Sir
Lancelot.

"He has been trapped," they said, "or he would be here."

While the king was hesitating whom to choose, in rode Sir