So Hugh recounted the history of the Crusade, and its diversion from Babylon, first to Zara, and then to Constantinople, and the falling-out between the Crusaders and the Greeks. He was interrupted frequently, for Sir James must ask questions as to the leaders and questions of policy, and how battles had turned. And after these had been explained, they came back to Hugh's own story, and Hugh detailed his adventures, beginning with the coming of Mocenigo to Blancherive. "Mocenigo!" exclaimed his father. "That foul knave! Was there with him a swart, squat shipman----" "Bartolommeo?" "Ay, Bartolommeo Caraducci, he who brought you hither?" "Nay, I met not Bartolommeo at that time. But after, when I came to sail for Outremer, he crossed my path." Hugh told the story of the sea-fight in the Narrow Seas, and Sir James listened with keen relish. "Ay, 'twas well-contrived," he applauded. "This Matteo is a man-at-arms of worth. I would I might meet with him. As for Bartolommeo, scoundrel that he is, I have a friendly regard for him, if only that he is no hypocrite and sins openly for the love of sinning. 'Twas he captained the galley _Holy Dove_, which brought me to Constantinople, and he, acting under Mocenigo's instructions, trapped me here." "But how was that, father?" asked Hugh, amazed. "'Tis a long story. But first we must have yours. Then I will make all clear to you." So Hugh resumed the interrupted thread of his narrative, and described the journey across France, with the rescue of the Comnenoi in the forest near Troyes. "This Comnenus, also, warned you not to journey to Constantinople?" exclaimed Sir James. "Then he is in it, too!" "In what?" "Nay, I will tell all, fair son, when the time comes. Do you finish first your tale. By St. James, 'tis one the jongleurs will make much of, or I do not know the breed of chivalry!" Hugh described the meeting with the Marshal of Champagne, the passage overland into Italy, the arrival at Venice and the reappearance of Mocenigo. Sir James gave eager attention to every statement, but was especially interested in the sidelights Hugh was able to cast upon the intrigues underlying the conduct of the Crusade. "And where was Lion-Heart all this time?" he broke in impatiently. "I say naught against Boniface of Montferrat. He comes of a good house. But there should have been a prince of kingly rank to lead such a host, and of all princes who is there like Lion-Heart?" "But--but--" Hugh choked, knowing how hard the blow he must deal, "but Lion-Heart is dead--long since." "Dead? Lion-Heart dead?" Sir James was silent a long time, and when he aroused himself it was to sigh deeply: "It brings home to me that I am become an ancient man, fair son. Lion-Heart is dead, and you are grown to manhood and the world goes well without my aid! Why should I fret for liberty?"