Upstairs a lantern, burning low, was discovered. The Frenchman took it, called a good-night, and went into his chamber. Sir Nicholas, yawning prodigiously, sought his own, and stumbled over the low truckle-bed on which Joshua lay peacefully asleep. "God's Death!" swore Sir Nicholas. Joshua was awakened by a drop of tallow alighting on his nose, and started up, rubbing the afflicted member. Beauvallet set down the candle, laughing. "My poor Joshua!" "Master, you are in your cups," Joshua said severely. "None so deep," said Sir Nicholas cheerfully, and found the basin and ewer that stood upon a rude chest. There was a great splashing of water, and a spluttering. "Pouf!" said Sir Nicholas, towelling his head. "Go to sleep, starveling. What are you at?" Joshua was for rising. "You've need to come out of those clothes, sir," said he. "Oh, let be!" said Beauvallet, and flung himself down as he was upon the bed. The candle went out, but the moonlight shone in at the uncurtained window. It lit Beauvallet's face, but could not keep him awake. Soon a snore disturbed the stillness, and then another. He was awakened out of a deep sleep by a hand shaking his shoulder, and a hissing whisper in his ear. He came groping out of the mists, felt the clutch upon his shoulder, and of instinct shot out a pair of hands to grasp the unknown's throat. "Ha, dog!" Joshua choked, and tried to tear apart the gripping fingers. "'Tis I--Joshua!" he gasped. The grip slackened at once. Sir Nicholas sat up, and was shaken with laughter. "Ye were nigh sped that time, chewet! What a-plague ails you to come pawing me?" "Matter enough," Joshua said. "Ha' done with your laughter, sir! Yon Frenchman's crept below stairs to steal the mare." "What!" Beauvallet swung his legs off the bed, and felt for his shoon. "Cock's passion, that whey-faced maltworm! How learned you this?" Joshua was groping for his breeches. "I waked to hear one go creeping down the stairs. A step creaked. Be sure I was alert upon the instant! _I_ do not fall cup-shotten into a stupor." "Peace, you elf-skin! What then?" "Then might I hear the door open stealthily below, and in a moment a cloaked fellow with a lantern crosses the yard to the barn. Ho, thinks I----" "Give me my sword," Beauvallet interrupted, and made for the door. "I shall be with you on the instant!" Joshua hissed after him. "A plague on these points!" Sir Nicholas went swiftly down the stairs, sword in hand, and crossed the taproom in two bounds to the door. Outside in the yard was bright moonlight, and to the right the barn cast a great black shadow. Through the door came the glimmer of a lantern, and the muffled sound of movement. Beauvallet gave his head a little shake, as though to cast off the lingering fumes of the wine he had drunk, and went forward, cat-like, over the cobbles.