vidently a fine city," said the King. "I have read enough to
know that it has been a home of kings, so we will sleep there to-night
and start afresh in good time to-morrow, though we shall not go to the
Palace for a bed. But there is sure to be some good travellers' inn."

And this proved to be the case as they rode through the city gate down
the High Street, to check their steeds by the Market Cross, the observed
of all observers, and they were many lurking about the place, for it had
been market day.

It was not the costume of the three horsemen, for they were purposely
very plainly clad, everything about them, however, looking good and
soldierly. It was their beautiful horses that took the attention of
most of the sturdy country-looking folks, and more than one keen-eyed
man approached them with no little freedom, scanning their mounts from
head to heel, one man giving the King a nod and stretching out his hand
to run it down his charger's leg.

The King looked furious, darted a fierce glance at the intruder, and
reined up his horse so suddenly that the fine beast reared and made the
man start back, his discomfiture being greeted by a roar of laughter on
the part of the uncouth people around.

"The insolence!" muttered the King to Denis. "These English islanders
are brutal in their ways. If they knew who I was! Here, let's ride
on."

His horse answered to the pressure of his knees and moved off upward
through the crowd, Saint Simon following his track, and Denis coming
last, having no little difficulty in closing up, for the increasing
crowd obstructed his way, the people's curiosity being aroused by the
strangers.

"These horses for sale?" said the man who had been rebuffed, pressing up
to the young esquire's knee.

"No," said the lad, in fairly good English. "Why?"

"Hallo!" said the man. "You are a Frenchman. Then you have brought
these over to sell. Look here, young man, I can help your master to
find a buyer in some great English lord. I deal in horses, and I'll
make it worth his while. Where are you going to stay?"

"I don't know," replied Denis. "Keep back, please. My horse doesn't
like crowding, and he may strike out."

"I'll take care," said the man. "I understand horses. Yes, this is a
nice animal you are riding too."

Denis made no answer, but pressed forward. There was some shouting, but
the crowd gave way and he rode up close just as the King drew rein by a
gateway and then