Pinabel, now exasperated, drew his sword and rushed at the defenseless old knight, but he stepped aside with great dexterity, avoiding the shock, and then turned with incredible quickness and gave his adversary such a heavy blow on the wrist with his staff that he dropped his sword. A second blow in the stomach sent him tumbling to the feet of Charlemagne. Then placing his foot on Pinabel’s throat, the old knight menaced him with his staff, held aloft in his left hand. The now thoroughly frightened Pinabel, trembling for his life, implored the grace of his conqueror, who permitted him to arise while he regarded him with contempt. The emperor and all the knights greatly marveled. Maugis was then permitted to visit the camp, of which privilege he was not slow to avail himself, making a thorough inspection throughout. In passing again the tent of Pinabel, upon leaving, reassured by the fact that his disguise had not been penetrated thus far, he determined to play him a trick. It can be readily conceived that Pinabel was not charmed by his visit, and he forthwith ordered his esquires to seize the old man and bind him solidly. But when they attempted to do so Maugis hypnotized them, and so benumbed them they appeared to be almost asleep, and when he approached Pinabel, the coward was so appalled at the manifestations of a power so little known at that remote age, and doubly terrified at being alone with the old knight, that he fell to his knees and supplicated him for pardon. “I will spare thy life,” said the old knight in a terrible voice. “It hath no value in my eyes; heaven hath condemned thee.” Pinabel at these words raised his eyes, and there recognized that Maugis, the terrible warrior sorcerer, stood before him. The coward would have cried out, but his tongue was paralyzed and the sounds died upon his lips, his limbs seemed stricken, and with a look of anguish on his face he fell in a heap. Maugis, much pleased to have given the coward this fright, left the camp and arrived safely at the city of Dordogne. CHAPTER XV. The captivity of the Duke de Normandie was insupportable to Charlemagne, for he was one of his bravest and most redoubtable knights. The emperor complained bitterly to his peers and raved like a man out of his senses at the infamy of Maugis in retaining his prisoner.