key away," he said; "there's no telling what
wandering fool might let the monster out. And now there's but little
time before dawn. Elaine, child, go to your bed. This excitement has
plainly tired you. I cannot have my girl look like that when she's a
bride to-day. And you too, sir," he added, surveying Geoffrey, "look a
trifle out of sorts. Well, I am not surprised. A dragon is no joke.
Come to my study." And he took Geoffrey's arm.

"Oh, no!" said the youth. "I cannot. I--I must change my dress."

"Pooh, sir! I shall send to the tavern for your kit. Come to my study.
You are pale. We'll have a little something hot. Aha! Something hot!"

"But I think----" Geoffrey began.

"Tush!" said the Baron. "You shall help me with the wedding
invitations."

[Illustration: Sir Francis decideth to go down agayne]

"Sir!" said Geoffrey haughtily, "I know nothing of writing and such
low habits."

"Why no more do I, of course," replied Sir Godfrey; "nor would I
suspect you or any good gentleman of the practice, though I have made
my mark upon an indenture in the presence of witnesses."

"A man may do that with propriety," assented the youth. "But I cannot
come with you now, sir. 'Tis not possible."

"But I say that you shall!" cried the Baron in high good-humour. "I
can mull Malvoisie famously, and will presently do so for you. 'Tis to
help me seal the invitations that I want you. My Chaplain shall write
them. Come."

He locked Geoffrey's arm in his own, and strode quickly forward.
Feeling himself dragged away, Geoffrey turned his head despairingly
back towards the pit.

"Oh, he's safe enough in there," said Sir Godfrey. "No need to watch
him."

Sir Francis had listened to this conversation with rising dismay. And
now he quickly threw off the crocodile hide and climbed up the tree as
the bears had often done before him. It came almost to a level with
the wall's rim, but the radius was too great a distance for jumping.

"I should break my leg," he said, and came down the tree again, as the
bears had likewise often descended.

The others were now inside the house. Elaine with a sinking heart
retired to her room, and her father after summoning the Rev. Hucbald
took Geoffrey into his study. The Chaplain followed with a bunch of
goose-quills and a large ink-horn, and seated himself at a table,
while the Baron mixed some savoury stuff, going down his private
staircase into the buttery to get the spice and honey necessary.