DEATH THE KNIGHT AND THE LADY _BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ PIERROT 2s. net 'The story has an extraordinary charm, imagination, style. The descriptions of the German soldiers passing the park gates on their way to Paris, of the old Corporal of the Grand Army, drunken and broken-hearted, of the gentle figure of the poor young count, these belong to literature, and literature of a fine quality.'--_Academy._ 'It is a fascinating romance.'--_Punch._ 'Weird mystery and delicate fancy mingle in "Pierrot." Mr Stacpoole writes gracefully and his manner suits his dainty theme.'--_Black and White._ 'Mr Stacpoole has achieved a distinct success. He has managed to create just the atmosphere of poetic mystery that is required, and this it is which gives the book its charm.'--_National Observer._ 'If all the volumes of Mr John Lane's new "Pierrot Library" are to be of the same genus as the first one, "Pierrot," let us have a volume once a week and regularly as Sunday comes round.'--_Woman._ 'On the whole "Pierrot" is both unusual and refreshing.'--_Literary World._ 'The story is peculiarly fascinating. The writer has a deft touch and a rare command of apt language.'--_Dundee Advertiser._ JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD LONDON & NEW YORK DEATH THE KNIGHT AND THE LADY A GHOST STORY BY H. DE VERE STACPOOLE [Illustration] JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD LONDON & NEW YORK MDCCCXCVII CONTENTS PAGE BALLAD OF THE ARRAS vii PROLOGUE 1 CHAP. I. I DESCRIBE MYSELF 11 II. JAMES WILDER 16 III. A SOUND WHICH REMINDS ME OF MY PAST 27 IV. INSTRUCTIONS PERFORMED 35 V. WE SAY GOOD-BYE 38 VI. --AND I START 42 VII. NORTH 44 VIII. THE DIMLY-PAINTED FACE 50 IX. GERALDINE 57 X. WE MEET 72 XI. THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK 78 XII. THE MORNING 89 XIII. "YOU WERE NOT DRESSED LIKE THIS" 102 XIV. THE BALLADE OF THE FALCON 109 XV. MY LETTER 112 XVI. THE BLACK HORSE AND THE WHITE 121 XVII. THE OLD OAK CHEST 126 XVIII. THE TRUMPETER 144 XIX. THE TRUMPETER 147 XX. THE RUBY WINE 151 XXI. "AND THEY LAID HIM TO HIS REST" 160 XXII. THE END 162 BALLAD OF THE ARRAS Lo! where are now these armoured hosts Mailed for the tourney _câp-a-pie_, These dames and damozelles whose ghosts Make of the past this pagentry?