ween thy thighs. But," (and he wagged
his head threateningly at Roger) "see that thou art at the Flower de
Luce when thou art called for."

Roger held his peace and seemed somewhat abashed at this word, and the
captain turned to Ralph and said courteously: "Young knight, if thou
art seeking adventures, thou shalt find them in our host; and if thou
be but half as wise as thou seemest bold, thou wilt not fail to gain
honour and wealth both, in the service of the Burg; for we be overmuch
beset with foemen that we should not welcome any wight and wary
warrior, though he be an alien of blood and land. If thou thinkest
well of this, then send me thy man here and give me word of thy mind,
and I shall lead thee to the chiefs of the Port, and make the way easy
for thee."

Ralph thanked him and rode through the gate into the street, and Roger
still went beside his stirrup.

Presently Ralph turned to Roger and spake to him somewhat sourly, and
said: "Thou hadst one lie in thy mouth and didst swallow it; but how
shall I know that another did not come out thence? Withal thou must
needs be my fellow here, will I, nill I; for thou it was that didst put
that word into the captain's mouth that thou shouldst serve me while I
abide in the Burg. So I will say here and now, that my mind misgives
me concerning thee, whether thou be not of those very thieves and
tyrants whom thou didst mis-say but a little while ago."

"Yea," said Roger, "thou art wise indeed to set me down as one of the
Dry Tree; doubtless that is why I delivered thee from their ambush even
now. And as for my service, thou mayst need it; for indeed I deem thee
not so safe as thou deemest thyself in this Burg."

"What!" said Ralph, "Dost thou blow hot and cold? why even now, when we
were in the wood, thou wert telling me that I had nought at all to fear
in the Burg of the Four Friths, and that all was done there by reason
and with justice. What is this new thing then which thou hast found
out, or what is that I have to fear?"

Roger changed countenance thereat and seemed somewhat confused, as one
who has been caught unawares; but he gat his own face presently, and
said: "Nay, Sir Knight, I will tell thee the truth right out. In the
wood yonder thy danger was great that thou mightest run into the hands
of them of the Dry Tree; therefore true it is that I spake somewhat
beyond my warrant concerning the life of the folk of the Burg, as how
could I help it? But