see. Then I got my back against the
tree and managed to keep them off for a period. The rest you know.
And to whom am I so heavily indebted?"

"My name is Aymer de Lacy."

"By St. Luke! John de Bury is glad that it is to a De Lacy he owes his
life."

"Are you Sir John de Bury of Craigston Castle?"

"The same--although, but for you I would be of the Kingdom of Spirits
instead."

"It would appear that my coming was very timely for us both," said De
Lacy, "for my mission in these parts is with you."

"With me?" Sir John de Bury exclaimed, struggling to his feet. "Then,
if you will let me have a horse, I will ride beside you to the
castle--it is less than half a league distant."

"One moment, Sir John," said Aymer. "Did you recognize any of your
assailants?"

"Not one, by St. Luke," said De Bury. "Some rascally robbers, I fancy;
there are enough of them in these parts."

De Lacy motioned to Raynor.

"Do you know this carrion?" he asked.

The veteran dismounted and examined the bodies; turning with his foot
those that had fallen face downward.

"They are strangers to me, my lord," he said. "I never saw hair of
them before. But, perchance, this fellow can give you some
information," and suddenly stooping, he seized one of the seeming dead
men by the neck and jerked him to his feet. "Answer the Knight,
rogue," he said. "Raynor Royk has seen too many dead bodies to be
fooled by one that has not a scratch upon it."

"By St, Denis!" said Do Lacy, "he is the one my good horse knocked
over. I clean forgot him. How now, fellow," he continued sternly,
"what mean you by assaulting a Knight upon the King's highway; and who
set you up to such work?"

The man, who had been simulating death, hoping so to escape, regarded
De Lacy with a frown and in sullen silence.

"Speak," said Raynor, giving him a shake that made his teeth rattle.

For answer he suddenly plucked a small dagger from a concealed sheath
and, twisting around, struck full and hard at the old soldier's face,
which was unprotected by the steel cap. Raynor sprang back and avoided
the blow, but in so doing he released his hold, and the rogue dashed
instantly for cover. No one was in his way and his escape seemed
certain, for the heavily armed men of De Lacy would have no chance in a
foot race with one lightly clad. With two bounds he had reached the
line of trees and was almost secure when, like a flash, Giles Dauvrey
drew his heavy dagger an