“Most holy man, I give thee greeting,” replied the emperor; “what commands hast thou for me? Speak, and they are granted thee.” “Sire,” continued the false monk, “while on my way yesterday by Balancon, with other pilgrims, traveling the same road, we were set upon by brigands; all my companions were slain, and I alone, by the mercy of God, escaped death, and that only because they thought I was so near death already. At the nearest village I could gain I learned that the country was being ravaged by the four sons of Aymon, aided by a certain Renaud, and, from a picture, I am sure it was the latter who was our assailant, and it was he who brought me to this miserable state.” Here the pilgrim made another sign of the cross, saluted the emperor with humility, and begged him for food, as it had been a long time since he had had what he required. Renaud acted his part so well that Charlemagne was taken completely off his guard, and suspicious of nothing, gave orders that the holy father be well treated as one deserved who possessed such precious information. Renaud added to the good impression he had produced by a liberal quantity of prayers and blessings. At this point the camp was aroused by a blare of trumpets from without; it was Roland who had arrived with Richard surrounded by a strong guard. Charlemagne, who had already been warned by Ganelon of the result of his nephew’s expedition, received him joyfully, and, upon hearing his story, embraced him. Said he: “Thou hast done well; let the rebel be delivered to punishment at once.” At the first sight of the pilgrim, Richard recognized his cousin Renaud, which had the effect of reassuring him as to his safety. Renaud, on his part, succeeded in learning the plans of the execution, and where it was to take place, then he quietly withdrew, hastened to Montaubon and gave the order summoning all to arms as quickly as possible. This being accomplished, he prepared to lead them to the place of execution, and took the troops around by a circuitous route to the appointed place, hiding them in the woods nearby, and enjoining every one to preserve the utmost silence. On the arrival of Richard at the camp, Charlemagne immediately assembled his council. Said he: “At last one of the rebellious sons of Aymon has been delivered into my hands; it has been at a fearful cost of blood and treasure. They have defied and insulted me. I should be illy fitted to be a ruler did I not make a most forcible example of this rebellious subject, therefore do I decide to hang him as near the château on the mountain as possible, that it may give the execution an imposing effect. Let the affair proceed at once.”