scanty raiment the
minute before his life was at adventure because of them. And in sooth
he smiled to himself then with a beating heart, as he told himself that
above all things he desired to see that Lady, whatever she might be,
and that he would follow his adventure to the end until he met her.

Amidst these thoughts he came unto the North Gate, whereby he had first
entered the Burg, and by then it was as dark as the summer night would
be; so he woke up from his dream, as it were, and took his way briskly
back to the Flower de Luce.

CHAPTER 14

What Ralph Heard of the Matters of the Burg of the Four Friths

There was no candle in the hall when he entered, but it was not so dark
therein but he might see Roger sitting on a stool near the chimney, and
opposite to him on the settle sat two men; one very tall and big, the
other small; Roger was looking away from these, and whistling; and it
came into Ralph's mind that he would have him think that he had nought
to do with them, whether that were so or not. But he turned round as
Ralph came up the hall and rose and came up to him, and fell to talking
with him and asking him how he liked the Burg; and ever he spake fast
and loud, so that again it came on Ralph that he was playing a part.

Ralph heeded him little, but ever looked through the hall-dusk on those
twain, who presently arose and went toward the hall door, but when they
were but half-way across the floor a chamberlain came in suddenly,
bearing candles in his hands, and the light fell on those guests and
flashed back from a salade on the head of the big man, and Ralph saw
that he was clad in a long white gaberdine, and he deemed that he was
the very man whom he had seen last in the Great Place at Higham, nigh
the church, and before that upon the road. As for the smaller man
Ralph had no knowledge of him, for he could see but little of his face,
whereas he was wrapped up in a cloak, for as warm as the evening was,
and wore a slouch hat withal; but his eyes seemed great and wondrous
bright.

But when they were gone Ralph asked Roger if he knew aught of them, or
if they had told him aught. "Nay," said Roger, "they came in here as I
sat alone, and had their meat, and spake nought to me, and little to
each other. I deem them not to be of the Burg. Nay, sooth to say, I
doubt if they be true men."

As he spake came in a sort of the townsmen somewhat merry and noisy,
and called for meat and drink and mor