of all my army to hold it for me?"

"Nay, sire, what reasons can there be for such questions? They touch my
honor very nearly. You know that I would part with Calais only when I
parted with my soul."

"Then you know nothing of de Chargny's attempt?"

"Nothing sire."

"Liar and villain!" yelled the King, springing to his feet and dashing
his fist upon the table until the glasses rattled again. "Seize him,
archers! Seize him this instant! Stand close by either elbow, lest he do
himself a mischief! Now do you dare to tell me to my face, you perjured
Lombard, that you know nothing of de Chargny and his plans?"

"As God is my witness I know nothing of him!" The man's lips were white,
and he spoke in a thin, sighing, reedy voice, his eyes wincing away from
the fell gaze of the angry King.

Edward laughed bitterly, and drew a paper from his breast. "You are the
judges in this case, you, my fair son, and you, Chandos, and you, Manny,
and you, Sir Hubert, and you also, my Lord Bishop. By my sovereign power
I make you a court that you may deal justice upon this man, for by God's
eyes I will not stir from this room until I have sifted the matter to
the bottom. And first I would read you this letter. It is superscribed
to Sir Aymery of Pavia, nomme Le Lombard, Chateau de Calais. Is not that
your name and style, you rogue?"

"It is my name, sire; but no such letter has come to me."

"Else had your villainy never been disclosed. It is signed 'Isidore de
Chargny'. What says my enemy de Chargny to my trusted servant? Listen!
'We could not come with the last moon, for we have not gathered
sufficient strength, nor have we been able to collect the twenty
thousand crowns which are your price. But with the next turn of the moon
in the darkest hour we will come and you will be paid your money at the
small postern gate with the rowan-bush beside it.' Well, rogue, what say
you now?"

"It is a forgery!" gasped the Italian.

"I pray you that you will let me see it, sire," said Chandos. "De
Chargny was my prisoner, and so many letters passed ere his ransom was
paid that his script is well-known to me. Yes, yes, I will swear that
this is indeed his. If my salvation were at stake I could swear it."

"If it were indeed written by de Chargny it was to dishonor me," cried
Sir Aymery.

"Nay, nay!" said the young Prince. "We all know de Chargny and have
fought against him. Many faults he has, a boaster and a brawler, but a
braver man and