"No fault of his," laughed Sir Godwin. "By the terms of his father's charter, left with the monks of Crowden, Hugh must bide by his lands under tutelage of the Prior until he is one-and-twenty. Then he is his own master. He hath a year to wait." "I knew not Sir James de Chesby had a son---or if I did, it slipped my mind," replied Mocenigo. "He was married but a year. His wife died at the birth of Hugh. Sir James conceived the idea that he could help to win her eternal joy in Paradise by a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He set forth ere Hugh was a year old." "On his way he stopped at Constantinople, I believe?" "Ay, he was much thought of by the Emperor Andronicus. But he went on to the Holy Land. He fought at Hattin, when King Guy and the Holy Cross were taken. He was of those few who escaped, and he reached the Holy City with Balian d'Ibelin and helped in its last defence. Saladin so admired him, as you must know, that he granted him freedom and presented him with a purse of gold. When our King Lion-heart crossed to Outremer on crusade, Sir James joined him and fought at Acre and Arsouf. When Lion-heart left and the Crusade broke up, Sir James stayed on and fought as chance allowed. He was the best knight ever I knew. We were lads together. Many a spear I have shivered with him." Mocenigo listened to this with an air of interest that masked his burning desire to get away. He was on his feet so soon as Sir Godwin had spoken the last word. "If it pleases you, my lord," he said, "I must instruct my men for the night." "Ay, do so," agreed Sir Godwin. "Whatever they require they shall have. My household are at your disposal, Sir Ambassador." CHAPTER III THE KNIFE IN THE TWILIGHT Hugh paused at the foot of the stairs that led through the thickness of the wall to the upper stories of the Keep. "We have ridden farther than to Crowden Wood this day," he said sombrely. Edith's fingers picked at the lacings of her jerkin. "Yes, Hugh, and we are at the parting of the ways." "You seem not over-burdened with grief at the thought," he exclaimed bitterly. She raised her eyes to his with new-found shyness. "I do not grieve, because it is my thought that your path will follow mine," she answered. "If you went adventuring to Outremer, and I stayed home in England, our parting would be longer than 'tis like to be as things have fallen out." "I am a churl," said Hugh remorsefully. "Forgive me!" "Nay, this time I shall not forgive," she teased. "Hast beat me with a stick in years past, Hugh. Hast ordered me about as man-at-arms and squire. Always have I forgiven you. But this time I have a mind to hold my anger over your head." Hugh's stern young face relaxed into a boyish grin. "And now I know you for the same old lass," he cried. "Ever ready with words and---- But this talk serves naught. Wilt name me always your knight?" "Always, Hugh."