island, fair sir, but from what they can
gather upon the sea around it. They are broken folk from all countries,
justice-fliers, prison-breakers, reavers, escaped bondsmen, murderers
and staff-strikers who have made their way to this outland place and
hold it against all comers. There is one here who could tell you of
them and of their ways, for he was long time prisoner amongst them."
The seaman pointed to Black Simon, the dark man from Norwich, who
was leaning against the side lost in moody thought and staring with a
brooding eye at the distant shore.

"How now, fellow?" asked Knolles. "What is this I hear? Is it indeed
sooth that you have been a captive upon this island?"

"It is true, fair sir. For eight months I have been servant to the man
whom they call their King. His name is La Muette, and he comes from
Jersey nor is there under God's sky a man whom I have more desire to
see."

"Has he then mishandled you?"

Black Simon gave a wry smile and pulled off his jerkin. His lean sinewy
back was waled and puckered with white scars. "He has left his sign of
hand upon me," said he. "He swore that he would break me to his will,
and thus he tried to do it. But most I desire to see him because he hath
lost a wager to me and I would fain be paid."

"This is a strange saying," said Knolles. "What is this wager, and why
should he pay you?"

"It is but a small matter," Simon answered; "but I am a poor man and the
payment would be welcome. Should it have chanced that we stopped at this
island I should have craved your leave that I go ashore and ask for that
which I have fairly won."

Sir Robert Knolles laughed. "This business tickleth my fancy," said he.
"As to stopping at the island, this shipman tells me that we must needs
wait a day and a night, for that we have strained our planks. But if you
should go ashore, how will you be sure that you will be free to depart,
or that you will see this King of whom you speak?"

Black Simon's dark face was shining with a fierce joy. "Fair sir, I will
ever be your debtor if you will let me go. Concerning what you ask, I
know this island even as I know the streets of Norwich, as you may well
believe seeing that it is but a small place and I upon it for near a
year. Should I land after dark, I could win my way to the King's house,
and if he be not dead or distraught with drink I could have speech with
him alone, for I know his ways and his hours and how he may be found. I
would ask