ter and Ralph had been discussing the situation, and
had arrived at a tolerably correct conclusion.

"This conduct on the part of this brutal French knight, Ralph, is so
strange that methinks it cannot be the mere outcome of his passions or
of hate against me as an Englishman, but of some deeper motive; and we
were right in thinking that in bargaining for my person with the Count
of Evreux it was more than my ransom which he sought. Had that been his
only object he would never have thrown us into this noisome dungeon, for
my report of such treatment would bring dishonour upon him in the eyes
of every knight and noble in France as well as in England. It must be my
life he aims at, although what grudge he can have against me it passes
me to imagine. It may be that at Cressy or elsewhere some dear relative
of his may have fallen by my sword; and yet were it so, men nourish no
grudge for the death of those killed in fair fight. But this boots not
at present. It is enough for us that it is my life which he aims at,
and I fear, Ralph, that yours must be included with mine, since he would
never let a witness escape to carry the foul tale against him. This
being so, the agreement on which I surrendered is broken, and I am free
to make my escape if I can, and methinks the sooner that be attempted
the better.

"So let us work to plan how we may best get out of this place. After our
escape from that well at Vannes we need not despair about breaking out
from this dungeon of Holbeaut."

"We might overpower the guard who brings our food," Ralph said.

"There is that chance," Walter rejoined, "but I think it is a poor one.
They may be sure that this dishonourable treatment will have rendered us
desperate, and they will take every precaution and come well armed. It
may be, too, that they will not come at all, but that they intend us to
die of starvation, or perchance to be drowned by the floods, which it
is easy to see often make their way in here. No, our escape, if escape
there be, must be made through that loophole above. Were that bar
removed, methinks it is wide enough for us to squeeze through. Doubtless
such a hazard has not occurred to them, seeing that it is nigh twelve
feet above the floor, and that a single man could by no possibility
reach it, but with two of us there is no difficulty. Now, Ralph, do you
stand against the wall. I will climb upon your shoulders, and standing
there can reach the bar, and so haul myself up