over his head and clean to the pavement below.

At this moment, Raynor Royk cut down his foe and joined his leader on
the landing with the men-at-arms at his back. Then, indeed, was the
fight quickly ended--save where Simon Gorges still held the squire at
bay.

And while they fought a queer thing happened in the hall below, for Sir
John de Bury got suddenly upon his feet and came toward the stairs.

"You must strike harder, Flat-Nose, to reach a skull through Spanish
bascinet," he said. "Yet of a verity, did you stun me sore and show me
stars in millions. Have at him, De Lacy, I resign the rogue to you--my
legs are over shaky to stand on yonder stair."

De Lacy motioned all to move back.

"Flat-Nose!" he called. "You shall have one more chance. Will you
yield prisoner?"

Instantly Dauvrey stepped down out of reach and grounded blade.

"To dangle in a halter from the gate tower?" scoffed Gorges, facing
about. "Not by St. Edward! Cry on your dogs."

"Has life then grown tiresome to you?"

"Marry, no! Yet it is but a change of deaths you offer; and I prefer
the one that finds me sword in hand."

"You have said the Countess of Clare is in this castle. Will you
accept life from her if she decree it; or in steel harness fight me to
the death, if she condemn you?" De Lacy asked.

Flat-Nose flung down his sword and raised his visor.

"I accept the offer, Sir Knight," he said. "I will risk the lady's
judgment. Knock upon the door in the farthest corner, and she,
herself, will open to you--there is no lock upon it, save that she has
inside."

"Will you come with me, Sir John?" De Lacy called, as Dauvrey made
haste to unlace his lord's helmet and lift it off.

De Bury shook his head. "Nay, lad, it is your right first. Later will
I join you and gladly."

Without further urging Aymer hurried down the corridor and tapped
lightly at the door, beyond which, if Flat-Nose spoke truly, he would
find his lost betrothed. No answer came, and he rapped again and
louder. But within was silence and he waited vainly for response.
Then with rising suspicion that he had been tricked by Darby's minion,
he struck the panel sharply and with force--and the door swung back
until it was open wide.

For a moment he hesitated; but when another knock brought no reply, he
ventured across the threshold and into the room a little way. Then as
his eyes chanced upon a hat with long plumes, lying on a table, and
beside it a v