He mouthed a word of vile import, the bloody foam on his lips mocking the bestiality of his tongue. "Ay--you--shall--not--have---her! Curse----" He died. Bartolommeo, standing beyond the galley's single mast, raised his visor. "Is he sped?" he called. "Ay. Prepare to follow him." "Mayhap, but not alone." Bartolommeo turned as he spoke and ran toward the stern-castle. He wrenched at the door of the cabin, and when it refused to open, raised his mace to shatter the panels. "Quick, Messer Hugh!" shrieked Ralph. "He would murder Lady Edith!" The mace rose and fell, but before it could achieve Bartolommeo's purpose the comrades were upon him. He ran to meet them, roaring like a bull. "Out of my path! Who seeks to stay Bartolommeo? By St. Bacchus, a few have sought to do that who did not tell their fate in the wine-shops! Back! Back, there! Bartolommeo comes!" He gained the rail and mounted it, clinging to the rigging of the mast with one hand. "Spare your swords, fair sirs," he said, bowing courteously. "I have a mind to test the accomplishment of that sorcerer who bargained for my soul. An he spoke sooth, doubt not the Devil will save me. Farewell! Sir James, I had ever a warm place in my heart for you! Messer Hugh, you had the makings of a youth who would give fine sport on the rack. May you come to a good end." He leaped, mace in hand, into the water. The ripples closed over him, as Ralph reached the railing where he had stood. "Certes, my masters, he hath gone," said the bowman in an awed tone. "A right valiant rogue," remarked Sir James. "A rare treat he will provide for his master in hell," quoth Matteo. "How was it that he failed to open the cabin-door?" demanded Hugh. "An he had won in there, he must have defied us, whilst he might----" He shuddered. "He did not get in for that I had entered before him," replied Ralph cheerfully. "And I bade Lady Edith bar the door after me when I left her." The comrades stared at Ralph. "When was this done?" asked Hugh. "Whilst you and Sir James and Messer Matteo were fighting by your lone," explained Ralph. "I thought Messer Mocenigo might have some deviltry in store for your lady, so I ran along beside the galley as far as I might under the rocks, and clambered aboard behind those who contended with you. They did not see me, and I entered the stern-castle, where Messer Comnenus and the Lady Helena were watching the fray. Lady Edith was bound helpless; but I released her and set her to watch them whilst I went to your aid." Sir James took Ralph's hand. "The glory of this bicker belongs to you," he said solemnly. "Hast conducted in right knightly fashion. When we return to Chesby, Ralph, you shall have a quarter-hide of land in the beechwood next the forest and a halfling of pigs to stock it with." "Nay, fair lord, 'twas naught," stammered Ralph.