e with the right hand he takes our
fifty thousand crowns for the holding of the passes open, he hath his
left outstretched to Henry of Trastamare, or to the King of France, all
ready to take as many more for the keeping them closed. I know our good
Charles, and, by my blessed name-saint the Confessor, he shall learn
that I know him. He sets his kingdom up to the best bidder, like some
scullion farrier selling a glandered horse. He is----"

"My lord," cried Don Martin, "I cannot stand there to hear such words
of my master. Did they come from other lips, I should know better how to
answer them."

Don Pedro frowned and curled his lip, but the prince smiled and nodded
his approbation.

"Your bearing and your words, Don Martin, are such I should have looked
for in you," he remarked. "You will tell the king, your master, that he
hath been paid his price and that if he holds to his promise he hath my
word for it that no scath shall come to his people, nor to their houses
or gear. If, however, we have not his leave, I shall come close at the
heels of this message without his leave, and bearing a key with me
which shall open all that he may close." He stooped and whispered to Sir
Robert Knolles and Sir Huge Calverley, who smiled as men well pleased,
and hastened from the room.

"Our cousin Charles has had experience of our friendship," the prince
continued, "and now, by the Saints! he shall feel a touch of our
displeasure. I send now a message to our cousin Charles which his whole
kingdom may read. Let him take heed lest worse befall him. Where is my
Lord Chandos? Ha, Sir John, I commend this worthy knight to your care.
You will see that he hath refection, and such a purse of gold as may
defray his charges, for indeed it is great honor to any court to have
within it so noble and gentle a cavalier. How say you, sire?" he
asked, turning to the Spanish refugee, while the herald of Navarre was
conducted from the chamber by the old warrior.

"It is not our custom in Spain to reward pertness in a messenger," Don
Pedro answered, patting the head of his greyhound. "Yet we have all
heard the lengths to which your royal generosity runs."

"In sooth, yes," cried the King of Majorca.

"Who should know it better than we?" said Don Pedro bitterly, "since we
have had to fly to you in our trouble as to the natural protector of all
who are weak."

"Nay, nay, as brothers to a brother," cried the prince, with sparkling
eyes. "We doubt no