he
rode so hard that in a very short time he reached Bearn, and by virtue
of the papal bull appropriated the tithes. The Sieur de Corasse was
right wroth with the clerk and his doings, and came to him and said:

[Illustration: 'I will send you a champion whom you will fear more than
you fear me']

'"Master Martin, or Master Pierre, or whatever your name may be, do you
think that I am going to give up my rights just because of those letters
of yours? I scarce fancy you are bold enough to lay hands on property of
mine, for you will risk your life in the doing. Go elsewhere to seek a
benefice, for of my rights you shall have none, and this I tell you,
once and for all."

'The mind of the clerk misgave him, for he knew that the Chevalier cared
not for men's lives, and he dared not persevere. So he dropped his
claims, and betook himself to his own country or to Avignon. And when
the moment had come that he was to depart, he entered into the presence
of the Sieur de Corasse, and said:

'"Sir, it is by force and not by right that you lay hands on the
property of the Church, of which you make such ill-use. In this land you
are stronger than I, but know that as soon as I may I will send you a
champion whom you will fear more than you fear me."

'The Sieur de Corasse, who did not heed his words, replied:

'"Go, do as you will; I fear you as little alive as dead. For all your
talk, I will never give up my rights."

'Thus parted the clerk and the Sieur de Corasse, and the clerk returned
to his own country, but whether that was Avignon or Catalonia I know
not. But he did not forget what he had told the Sieur de Corasse when he
bade him farewell; for three months after, when he expected it least,
there came to the castle of Corasse, while the Chevalier was quietly
sleeping, certain invisible messengers, who began to throw about all
that was in the castle, till it seemed as if, truly, nothing would be
left standing. The Chevalier heard it all, but he said nought, for he
would not be thought a coward, and indeed he had courage enough for any
adventure that might befall.

'These sounds of falling weights continued for a long space, then ceased
suddenly.

'When the morning came, the servants all assembled, and their lord
having arisen from bed they came to him and said, "Sir, have you also
heard that which we have heard this night?" And the Sieur de Corasse hid
it in his heart and answered, "No; what have you heard?" And they