"And how knowest thou that?" asked Josceline, complacently. "Didst thou see him?" "See him!" exclaimed Robert Sadler. "I have seen him more times than thou art years old. And never did he do so well as thou and Hugo." With hearts full of pride the two went from vaulting over the horse to striking heavy blows with a battle axe. "Ah!" cried Robert Sadler. "Could the cousin to the king see the strokes that ye make, he were fit to die from shame. He can strike not much better than a baby. I could wish that all mine enemies might strike me no more heavily than the cousin to the king." "This cousin to the king must be worthless," observed Josceline, his face red from the exertion of striking. "Worthless!" exclaimed Robert Sadler. "It were not well that the king heard that word, but a true word it is. Worthless he is." "I knew not that the king had a cousin," observed Hugo, with uplifted axe. "There was never a man born," declared Robert Sadler, recklessly, "who had not a cousin. And would the king that hath everything else be lacking in a common thing like a cousin? Thy speech is well nigh treasonable. But strike thou on. I will not stay to see thee put the king's cousin to shame, and then hear thee deny there is such a one." And he stalked off to the stables leading the horse. "I fear thou hast angered him," said Josceline. "But no matter. He will not harbor anger long." And so it proved. For before the two had finished striking he had returned to the tilt-yard apparently full of good humor. Two days went by. Then Lady De Aldithely spoke again to Hugo of his project. "Hast abandoned thy plan?" she asked. "Nay, my lady," he replied. "How should I abandon it? Is it not a good one?" "Good for my son," admitted Lady De Aldithely, "but bad for thee." "Thou wilt find it will be bad for neither," said Hugo, stoutly. "I am resolved." Lady De Aldithely sighed in relief. "Come nearer," she said. "I would confide in thee, and none but thou must hear. I have discovered the traitor within our walls. For a sum of money he will deliver my son to the king. Ask me not how. I have discovered it." Hugo looked at her and his eyes flashed indignation. "Deliver Josceline, he shall not!" he cried. "He could but for thee, for we are powerless." "Then again I say, he shall not." "Come nearer still," said Lady De Aldithely. "I would tell thee the man's name. What sayest thou to Robert Sadler?" Hugo stared. "Robert Sadler!" he repeated. "Why, 'tis he of all the men-at-arms, save William Lorimer, who is kindest to Josceline and me. He will be ever with us; in the tilt-yard, in the stables, in the hall, everywhere." "To watch you," said Lady De Aldithely. "To mark what you say. To catch your plans." "He shall catch no more plans from me!" cried Hugo, indignantly. "I will speak no more with him, nor be with him."