s," he said, "but how, by hell's gate,
came de Cressi and his familiar here."

"By the road, I imagine, lord, like others. At least, a few days ago
they were seen travelling toward the bridge of St. Benezet in the
company of certain Jews, whom, I am informed, they had rescued from the
just reward of their witchcraft. I have a note of all the facts, which
include the slaying of sundry good Christians on behalf of the said
Jews."

"Jews? Why, that is enough to hang them in these times. But what do they
here and where do they lodge?"

"Like your lordship they strive to see the Pope. They desire that
an alleged marriage between one Sir Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon and
Seigneur of Cattrina, and one lady Eve Clavering, an Englishwoman, may
be declared null and void. As they have been so good as to honour me
with their confidence and appoint me their agent, I am able to detail
the facts. Therefore I will tell you at once that the case of this
knight de Cressi appears to be excellent, since it includes the written
confession of a certain Father Nicholas, of whom perhaps you have
heard."

"The written confession of Nicholas! Have you seen it?"

"Not as yet. So far I have been trusted with no original documents. Is
it your will that I should try to possess myself of these? Because,
if so, I will do my best, provided----" and he looked at the pocket of
Acour's robe.

"How much?" asked Acour. The man named a great sum, half to be paid down
and half on the delivery of the papers.

"I'll double it," said Acour, "if you can bring it about that these
insolent Englishmen die--of the pest."

"How can I do that, lord?" asked Basil with a sour smile. "Such tricks
might work backward. I might die, or you. Still these men have committed
crimes, and just now there is a prejudice against Jews."

"Ay," said Acour, "the Englishmen are sorcerers. I tell you that in
Venice they were seen in the company of that fiend of the yellow cap and
the fur robe who appears everywhere before the pest."

"Prove it," exclaimed Basil, "and the citizens of Avignon will rid you
of their troubling."

Then they debated long together and the end of it was that Basil
departed, saying that he would return again on the morrow and make
report as to certain matters.

CHAPTER XVII

A MEETING

Hugh, Grey Dick, and David, trudged up and down through the streets of
Avignon. All that long day they trudged seeking news and finding little.
Again and again