in times like the
present, even a simple knight who can lead two hundred good fighting
men into the field is not to be despised, and the king is likely to be
easily satisfied with my replies to any question that may be raised.
Indeed, it would seem contrary to reason that I should slay a captive
against whom I have no cause of quarrel, and so forfeit the ransom which
I should get for him."

"But suppose that a messenger should come offering ransom before the
river happens to rise?"

"Then I shall anticipate matters, and shall say that what I know will
happen has already taken place. Do not be uneasy, Sir James. You have my
word in the matter, and now I have gone so far I shall carry it through.
From the moment when I ordered him into that dungeon his fate was
sealed, and in truth, when I gave the order I did so to put an end to
the indecision in which my mind had been all night. Once in there he
could not be allowed to come out alive, for his report of such treatment
would do me more harm among those of my own station in France than any
rumours touching his end could do. It is no uncommon affair for one
to remove an enemy from one's path; but cruelty to a knightly prisoner
would be regarded with horror. Would you like to have a look at him?"

The other hesitated. "No," he replied. "Against him personally I have no
great grudge. He has thwarted my plans, and stands now grievously in the
way of my making fresh ones; but as he did so from no ill-will towards
myself, but as it were by hazard, I have no personal hatred towards him,
though I would fain remove him from my path. Besides, I tell you fairly,
that even in that dungeon where you have thrown him I shall not feel
that he is safe until you send me word that he is dead. He has twice
already got out of scrapes when other men would have been killed. Both
at Vannes and at Ghent he escaped in a marvellous way; and but a few
weeks since, by the accident of his having a coat of mail under his
doublet he saved his life from as fair a blow as ever was struck.
Therefore I would not that he knew aught of my having a hand in this
matter, for if after having seen me he made his escape I could never
show my face in England again. I should advise you to bid three or four
men always enter his cell together, for he and that man-of-arms who
follows him like a shadow are capable of playing any desperate trick to
escape.

"That matter is easily enough managed," Sir Phillip said grim