laine came to Geoffrey and they whispered together.

[Illustration: The Dragon perceiueth hymself to be entrapped]

"Thy trade is done for," said the youth, at length. "There'll be no
more monks of Oyster-le-Main, and no more Dragon of Wantley. But thou
and the other curs may live, if ye so choose."

"Through what do I buy my choice?"

"Through a further exhibition of thine art. Thou must play Dragon
to-night once again for the last time. This, that I may show thee
captive to Sir Godfrey Disseisin."

"And in chains, I think," added Elaine. "There is one behind the
post." It had belonged in the bear-pit during the lives of Orlando
Crumb and Furioso Bun, two bears trapped expressly for the Baron near
Roncevaux.

"After which?" inquired Sir Francis.

"Thou shalt go free, and I will claim this lady's hand from her
father, who promised her to any man that brought the Dragon to him
dead or alive."

"Papa shall be kept at a distance from you," said Elaine, "and will
never suspect in this dimness, if you roar at him thoroughly."

"Then," continued Geoffrey, "I shall lead thee away as my spoil, and
the people shall see the lizard-skin after a little while. But thou
must journey far from Wantley, and never show face again."

"And go from Oyster-le-Main and the tithings?" exclaimed Sir Francis.
"My house and my sustenance?"

"Sustain thyself elsewhere," said Geoffrey; "I care not how."

"No!" said Sir Francis. "I'll not do this."

"Then we call Sir Godfrey. The Baron will not love thee very much,
seeing how well he loves his Burgundy thou hast drank. Thou gavest him
sermons on cold spring-water. He'll remember that. I think thou'lt be
soon hanging. So choose."

The Knight of the Voracious Stomach was silent.

"This is a pretty scheme thou hast," he presently said. "And not thine
own. She has taught thee this wit, I'll be bound. Mated to her,
thou'lt prosper, I fear."

"Come, thy choice," said Geoffrey, sternly.

A sour smile moved the lips of Sir Francis. "Well," he said, "it has
been good while it lasted. Yes, I consent. Our interests lie together.
See how Necessity is the mother of Friendship, also."

The mask was drawn over his face, and they wound the chain about the
great body.

"There must be sounds of fighting," said Elaine. "Make them when I am
gone into the house."

"If I had strangled thee in thy prison, which was in my mind," said
the voice of the hidden speaker, "this folly we--but there. Let