n to be hoodwinked by the first big-bosomed
huzzy that elects to waggle her fat shoulders and to grant an
assignation in a forest expressively designed for stabbings? You baby,
is the Hammer of the Scots the man to trust a Capet? Ill-mannered
infant," the King said, with bitter laughter, "it is now necessary that
I summon my attendants and remove you to a nursery which I have
prepared in England." He set the horn to his lips and blew three
blasts.

There came many armed warriors into the hut, bearing ropes. Here was
the entire retinue of the Earl of Aquitaine; and, cursing, Sire
Philippe sprang upon the English King, and with a dagger smote at the
impassive big man's heart. The blade broke against the mail armor
under the tunic. "Have I not told you," Sire Edward wearily said,
"that one may never trust a Capet? Now, messieurs, bind these carrion
and convey them whither I have directed you. Nay, but, Roger--" He
conversed apart with his lieutenant, and what Sire Edward commanded was
done. The French King and seven lords of France went from that hut
trussed like chickens.

And now Sire Edward turned toward Meregrett and chafed his big hands
gleefully. "At every tree-bole a tethered horse awaits us; and a ship
awaits our party at Fecamp. To-morrow we sleep in England--and, Mort
de Dieu! do you not think, madame, that within the Tower your brother
and I may more quickly come to some agreement over Guienne?"

She had shrunk from him. "Then the trap was yours? It was you that
lured my brother to this infamy!"

"I am vile!" was the man's thought. And, "In effect, I planned it many
months ago at Ipswich yonder," Sire Edward gayly said. "Faith of a
gentleman! your brother has cheated me of Guienne, and was I to waste
an eternity in begging him to restore it? Nay, for I have a many spies
in France, and have for some two years known your brother and your
sister to the bottom. Granted that I came hither incognito, to
forecast your kinfolk's immediate endeavors was none too difficult; and
I wanted Guienne--and, in consequence, the person of your brother.
Mort de ma vie! Shall not the seasoned hunter adapt his snare
aforetime to the qualities of his prey, and take the elephant through
his curiosity, as the snake through his notorious treachery?" Now the
King of England blustered.

But the little Princess wrung her hands. "I am this night most
hideously shamed. Beau sire, I came hither to aid a brave man
i