ts to join his fellow-bully in the water.

Then seeing how it had gone with his companions who, sorely damaged,
swam to the farther side of the canal and vanished, the third man, he
whom they had first met, sheathed his knife. With many bows and cringes
he pulled up the pole and pushed the punt to the steps of the house over
which the flag hung, where people were gathering, drawn by the clamour.

"Does Sir Geoffrey Carleon dwell here?" asked Hugh in a loud voice,
whereon a gentleman with a pale face and a grizzled beard who appeared
to be sick, for he was leaning on a staff, hobbled from out the porch,
saying:

"Ay, ay, that is my name. Who are you that make this tumult at my gates?
Another turbulent Englishman, I'll be bound."

"Ay, sir, an Englishman called Sir Hugh de Cressi, and his companion,
Richard the Archer, whom these rogues have tried to rob and murder,
messengers from his Grace King Edward."

Now Sir Geoffrey changed his tone.

"Your pardon if I spoke roughly, Sir Hugh, but we poor Envoys have to
do with many rufflers from our own land. Enter, I pray you. My servants
will see to your gear and horses. But first, what is the trouble between
you and these fellows?"

Hugh told him briefly.

"Ah!" he said, "a common trick with foreigners. Well for you that night
had not fallen, since otherwise they might have rowed you up some back
waterway and there done you to death. The canals of Venice hide the
traces of many such foul deeds. Mother of Heaven!" he added, "why, this
boatman is none other than Giuseppe, the noted bravo," and he turned and
in Italian bade his servants seize the man.

But Giuseppe had heard enough. Springing into the water he swam like a
duck for the farther bank of the canal, and, gaining it, ran swiftly for
some alley, where he vanished.

"He's gone," said Sir Geoffrey, "and as well hunt with a lantern for a
rat in a sewer as for him. Well, we have his boat, which shall be sent
to the magistrate with letters of complaint. Only, Sir Hugh, be careful
to wear mail when you walk about at night, lest that villain and his
mates should come to collect their fare with a stiletto. Now, enter and
fear not for your goods. My folk are honest. God's name! how fearful is
this heat. None have known its like. Steward, give me your arm."

An hour later and Hugh, clad in fresh garments of sweet linen, bathed
and shaved, sat at table in a great, cool room with Sir Geoffrey and his
lady, a middle-