of half his power. Probably, indeed, the lad would
side with them, despite his plighted word. Again, he had but to raise
his voice, and, though the door that Crispin had fastened was a stout
one, he never doubted but that his call would penetrate it and bring
his servants to his rescue.

And so, a smile of cynical unconcern returned to his lips and his answer
was delivered in a cold, incisive voice.

"The reckoning you have come to demand shall be paid you, sir. Rakehelly
Galliard is the hero of many a reckless deed, but my judgment is much
at fault if this prove not his crowning recklessness and his last one.
Gadswounds, sir, are you mad to come hither single-handed to beard the
lion in his den?"

"Rather the cur in his kennel," sneered Crispin back. "Blood and wounds,
Master Joseph, think you to affright me with words?"

Still Joseph smiled, deeming himself master of the situation.

"Were help needed, the raising of my voice would bring it me. But it is
not. We are three to one."

"You reckon wrongly. Mr. Stewart belongs to me to-night--bound by an
oath that 'twould damn his soul to break, to help me when and where I
may call upon him; and I call upon him now. Kenneth, draw your sword."

Kenneth groaned as he stood by, clasping and unclasping his hands.

"God's curse on you," he burst out. "You have tricked me, you have
cheated me."

"Bear your oath in mind," was the cold answer. "If you deem yourself
wronged by me, hereafter you shall have what satisfaction you demand.
But first fulfil me what you have sworn. Out with your blade, man."

Still Kenneth hesitated, and but for Gregory's rash action at that
critical juncture, it is possible that he would have elected to
break his plighted word. But Gregory fearing that he might determine
otherwise, resolved there and then to remove the chance of it. Whipping
out his sword, he made a vicious pass at the lad's breast. Kenneth
avoided it by leaping backwards, but in an instant Gregory had sprung
after him, and seeing himself thus beset, Kenneth was forced to draw
that he might protect himself.

They stood in the space between the table and that part of the hall that
abutted on to the terrace; opposite to them, by the door which he
had closed, stood Crispin. At the table-head Joseph still sat cool,
self-contained, even amused.

He realized the rashness of Gregory's attack upon one that might yet
have been won over to their side; but he never doubted that a few