Why stand you there in silence?"

"My liege," said Chandos gravely, "I have served you for over a score of
years, and have shed my blood through as many wounds in your cause, so
that you should not take my words amiss. But indeed I should feel myself
to be no true man if I did not tell you that my Squire Nigel, though
perchance he has spoken more bluntly than becomes him, is none the less
right in this matter, and that you are wrong. For bethink you, sire--"

"Enough!" cried the King, more furious than ever. "Like master, like
man, and I might have known why it is that this saucy Squire dares to
bandy words with his sovereign lord. He does but give out what he hath
taken in. John, John, you grow overbold. But this I tell you, and you
also, young man, that as God is my help, ere the sun has set this night
the Red Ferret will hang as a warning to all spies and traitors from the
highest tower of Calais, that every ship upon the Narrow Seas, and every
man for ten miles round may see him as he swings and know how heavy is
the hand of the English King. Do you bear it in mind, lest you also may
feel its weight!" With a glare like an angry lion he walked from the
room, and the iron-clamped door clanged loudly behind him.

Chandos and Nigel looked ruefully at each other. Then the knight patted
his Squire upon his bandaged head.

"You have carried yourself right well, Nigel. I could not wish for
better. Fear not. All will be well."

"My fair and honored lord," cried Nigel, "I am heavy at heart, for
indeed I could do no other, and yet I have brought trouble upon you."

"Nay, the clouds will soon pass. If he does indeed slay this Frenchman,
you have done all that lay within your power, and your mind may rest
easy."

"I pray that it will rest easy in Paradise," said Nigel; "for at the
hour that I hear that I am dishonored and my prisoner slain I tear this
bandage from my head and so end all things. I will not live when once my
word is broken."

"Nay, fair son, you take this thing too heavily," said Chandos, with a
grave face. "When a man has done all he may there remains no dishonor;
but the King hath a kind heart for all his hot head, and it may be that
if I see him I will prevail upon him. Bethink you how he swore to hang
the six burghers of this very town, and yet he pardoned them. So keep a
high heart, fair son, and I will come with good news ere evening."

For three hours, as the sinking sun traced the shadow higher an