. We heard them speak
many words of treason against our gracious Lord Duke, but I did not move
in their arrest until the younger man said to his companion: 'I will
to-morrow gain entrance to the castle as a pedler and will stab this
Duke Charles to death. You remain near the Postern with the horses, and
I will try to escape to you. If the gate should be closed, ride away
without me and carry the news to the cantons. I would gladly give my
life to save the fatherland.'"

"Hang them," cried the duke. "We are wasting time."

"I pray your patience, my Lord Duke," said Hymbercourt, holding up his
hand protestingly. "I know these men whom Count Calli has falsely
accused. They are not spies; they are not Swiss; neither are they
enemies of Burgundy. Were they so, I, my lord, would demand their death
were they a thousand-fold my friends. I stake my life upon their
honesty. I offer my person and my estates as hostages for them, and
make myself their champion. Count Calli lies."

Hymbercourt's words caused a great commotion in the hall. Swords and
daggers sprang from the scabbards of the Italians, and cries of
indignation were uttered by the mercenaries, who saw their crime
exposed, and by the Burgundians, who hated the Italians and their
dastardly methods. Charles commanded silence, and Campo-Basso received
permission to speak.

"Since when did my Lord d'Hymbercourt turn traitor?" said he. "His
fealty has always been as loud-mouthed as the baying of a wolf."

"I am a Burgundian, my lord," said Hymbercourt, ignoring the Italian and
addressing Charles. "I receive no pay for my fealty. I am not a foreign
mercenary, and I need not defend my loyalty to one who knows me as he
knows his own heart."

"My Lord d'Hymbercourt's honor needs no defence," said Charles. "I trust
his honesty and loyalty as I trust myself. He may be mistaken; he may be
right. Bring in these spies."

"Surely Your Grace will not contaminate your presence with these
wretches," pleaded Campo-Basso. "Consider the danger to yourself, my
dear lord. They are desperate men, who would gladly give their lives to
take yours and save their country. I beg you out of the love I bear Your
Grace, pause before you bring these traitorous spies into your sacred
presence."

"Bring them before me!" cried the duke. "We will determine this matter
for ourselves. We have a score of brave, well-paid Italians who may be
able to protect our person from the onslaught of two manacled