ing her, till she turned her head, started on encountering
his eyes, and then disappeared.

"There, it's plain enough, gentlemen. This woman is in league with a
band of the rogues."

"I think not, sir," said Denis quickly. "I think she is honest, and her
trouble real."

"Indeed?" said the King mockingly. "Wait till you have a few more years
over your head, boy, before you attempt to give counsel to one who is
used to judge mankind. Foolish boy! Can't you see that it is part of
her work to trap travellers into staying at her house? Why, I believe
if we rested here we should be plunged into a long deep sleep, and one
from which we should never wake. Now, Saint Simon, you ought to have
finished. I want to mount and go."

"The horses are ready, my lord," said the young man quickly.

"But you have not paid the woman."

"I offered her ample, sir, and she refused it."

"Bah! Leave that to me," said the King haughtily. "But what about you,
Denis, boy? Don't tell me that you are too bad to mount, and force me
to stay in this vile nest of thieves."

"No, sir. If Saint Simon will help me to mount, I'll manage to ride the
long night through; but I fear if there is need that I could not fight."

The King hesitated, and stood striking his two stout riding gloves
twisted together sharply in his left hand.

"Yes, you look hurt, boy. Perhaps it will be better that we should
stay. We could hold one room, unless they burnt us out, and take turn
and turn to watch."

"Oh no, sir; I am well enough to go," cried the lad. "Here, Saint
Simon, give me a leg up. I am better now, and shall feel easier still
when in the saddle."

"Keep back, Saint Simon!" said the King. "Let me be the judge of that.
Here, your foot, boy? Do you hear me, sir? Quick!"

The lad raised his foot as the King impatiently clasped his hands
stirrup fashion and raised the young horseman smartly, so that he flung
his right leg over and dropped lightly into the saddle.

"Well," continued the King, as he watched his young esquire keenly, "can
you sit there, or are you going to swoon?"

The boy smiled scornfully, and the King gave him an encouraging nod.

"You will do," he said, "and if you cannot use your arm you will be able
to ride between us if we are attacked and charge the scoundrels when we
make them run. Mount, Saint Simon. Have we left aught behind?"

"No, sir," replied the young man, and he hesitated a moment to let the
King be