"That question, lady, is not so much for me as for the owner of this castle to answer," replied De Maupas with an air of regret. "Hark! He is at the door; we will enquire his intentions concerning his prisoners." The door opened and Sir Eustace de Brin entered. He was clad from head to foot in black armour, without any sort of relief or ornament whatever, and the effect was grim and forbidding to the last degree. If the two poor captives had needed anything further to destroy their last hopes, the sight of this grim-visaged, black-bearded, and black-mailed knight would have supplied it. Indeed, at the sight of him Jeanette screamed aloud and Beatrice sank down upon the couch and covered her face with her hands. Turning towards the maid, De Brin gave her so fierce a look that she was reduced to instant silence. Then he turned to De Maupas and asked: "Doubtless the lady Beatrice gladly welcometh thy suit, friend De Maupas?" "Not exactly, Sir Eustace. She was, however, asking after Sir John and his esquire as thou wert entering. She would wish to know what thou dost intend concerning them." "Their fate? Spies and enemies of my beloved France? They must die," replied De Brin instantly. "Would nothing move thee from thy purpose?" asked De Maupas persuadingly. "If what I desire cometh to pass, their fate will become of some moment to me. Wouldst then, for our friendship’s sake, allow me to intercede for their lives?" De Brin slowly paced the length of the room and back again. "Eustace de Brin never turned a deaf ear to the pleading of a friend," he said in a quieter tone. "For our friendship’s sake, then, if thou dost intercede for their lives’ on behalf of thy wife I will listen. If ’tis for aught else I will not move one single hair’s breadth from my purpose." "Hearest thou, Beatrice? Wilt thou----?" De Maupas stopped and looked enquiringly at his formidable companion. De Brin had given a sudden start, and appeared to be gazing at the window with an intent expression on his face. Roused by De Maupas’s sudden silence, Beatrice lifted her face from her hands and looked at the two men. Both were listening intently, and she caught a sound as of the winding of a distant horn. It ceased as though broken off short, and the two men looked significantly at one another. "Didst hear?" said De Maupas laconically.