nd made it known to the Comte de Foix in
the way I shall tell you.

'The first year, whenever the Sieur de Corasse came into the presence of
the Count at Ortais or elsewhere, he would say to him: "Monseigneur,
such-and-such a thing has happened in England, or in Scotland, or in
Germany, or in Flanders, or in Brabant, or in some other country," and
the Comte de Foix marvelled greatly at these things. But one day he
pressed the Sieur de Corasse so hard that the knight told him how it was
he knew all that passed in the world and who told him. When the Comte de
Foix knew the truth of the matter, his heart leapt with joy, and he
said: "Sieur de Corasse, bind him to you in love. I would I had such a
messenger. He costs you nothing, and knows all that passes throughout
the world."

'"Monseigneur," said the Chevalier, "thus will I do."

'Thus the Sieur de Corasse was served by Orthon, and that for long. I
know not if Orthon had more than one master, but certain it is that
every week he came, twice or thrice during the night, to tell to the
Sieur de Corasse the news of all the countries that he had visited,
which the Sieur wrote at once to the Comte de Foix, who was of all men
most joyed in news from other lands. One day when the Sieur de Corasse
was with the Comte de Foix, the talk fell upon Orthon, and suddenly the
Count inquired, "Sieur de Corasse, have you never seen your messenger?"

'He answered, "No, by my faith, Monseigneur, and I have never even asked
to."

'"Well," he replied, "it is very strange. If he had been as friendly to
me as he is to you, I should long ago have begged him to show me who and
what he is. And I pray that you will do all you can, so that I may know
of what fashion he may be. You tell me that his speech is Gascon, such
as yours or mine."

'"By my faith," said the Sieur de Corasse, "it is only the truth. His
Gascon is as good as the best; and, since you advise it, I will spare
myself no trouble to see what he is like."

'Two or three nights after came Orthon, and finding the Sieur de Corasse
sleeping soundly, he pulled the pillow, so as to wake him. So the Sieur
de Corasse awoke with a start and inquired, "Who is there?"

'He answered, "I am Orthon."

'"And whence do you come?"

'"From Prague in Bohemia. The Emperor of Rome is dead."

'"And when did he die?"

'"The day before yesterday."

'"And how far is it from Prague to this?"

'"How far?" he answered. "Why, it is sixty days' jou