De Lacy dismounted and aided him to examine his wounds. The only one of any consequence was in the leg; it had been made by a sword thrust; and the point having penetrated only the fleshy part of the thigh, no material damage was inflicted. "Were you alone when assaulted?" asked De Lacy, the while he was binding a scarf around the injury. "Yes--and another piece of childishness. I had despatched my squire on a sudden errand, a short ways back, and had no notion of danger, when these rogues suddenly set upon me. I made short work of two of them and would have got through, without difficulty, but for the death of my horse. They stabbed him, as you 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.