his arms fell at his side. "Aye,"
he said, in a gasping voice, "I know thee." He swallowed spasmodically
for a moment or two, and then, in the sudden revulsion of feeling, burst
out sobbing convulsively.

Sir James marched the two off to his office, he himself walking
between them, holding an arm of each, the other lads following behind,
awe-struck and silent. Entering the office, Sir James shut the door
behind him, leaving the group of squires clustered outside about the
stone steps, speculating in whispers as to what would be the outcome of
the matter.

After Sir James had seated himself, the two standing facing him, he
regarded them for a while in silence. "How now, Walter Blunt," said he
at last, "what is to do?"

"Why, this," said Blunt, wiping his bleeding lip. "That fellow, Myles
Falworth, hath been breeding mutiny and revolt ever sin he came hither
among us, and because he was thus mutinous I would punish him therefor."

"In that thou liest!" burst out Myles. "Never have I been mutinous in my
life."

"Be silent, sir," said Sir James, sternly. "I will hear thee anon."

"Nay," said Myles, with his lips twitching and writhing, "I will not be
silent. I am friendless here, and ye are all against me, but I will not
be silent, and brook to have lies spoken of me."

Even Blunt stood aghast at Myles's boldness. Never had he heard any one
so speak to Sir James before. He did not dare for the moment even to
look up. Second after second of dead stillness passed, while Sir James
sat looking at Myles with a stern, terrifying calmness that chilled him
in spite of the heat of his passion.

"Sir," said the old man at last, in a hard, quiet voice, "thou dost know
naught of rules and laws of such a place as this. Nevertheless, it
is time for thee to learn them. So I will tell thee now that if thou
openest thy lips to say only one single word more except at my bidding,
I will send thee to the black vault of the donjon to cool thy hot
spirits on bread and water for a week." There was something in the
measured quietness of the old knight's tone that quelled Myles utterly
and entirely. A little space of silence followed. "Now, then, Blunt,"
said Sir James, turning to the bachelor, "tell me all the ins and outs
of this business without any more underdealing."

This time Blunt's story, though naturally prejudiced in his own favor,
was fairly true. Then Myles told his side of the case, the old knight
listening attentively.