The equerry stepped out. Charles the Wicked rose, and approached the window that opened upon the square where the scaffold was erected. After throwing it partly open so as to be able to look out, he reclosed it and returned to his seat near the table, his lips contracted with a sinister smile. He had barely sat down again when the equerry returned preceding the archers in the middle of whom walked Jocelyn the Champion with his hands bound behind his back and his face inflamed with anger. The prince made a sign to the equerry, who thereupon withdrew with the Navarrians, leaving Charles the Wicked and Jocelyn alone, the latter, however, still pinioned. "Sire, I am the victim either of a mistake or of unworthy treason!" cried Jocelyn. "For the sake of your honor, I hope it is a mistake.... Order me to be unbound." "There is no mistake in the case." "Then it is treason! To disarm me! To pinion me!... Me, the carrier of the medallion that I sent to you together with a letter that I brought to you from Master Marcel! That is treason, Sire! Disgraceful felony!" "There is in all this neither mistake nor felony. A truce with your imprudent words!" "What else is it?" "A simple measure of prudence," coolly answered Charles the Wicked; "you signed the letter 'Jocelyn the Champion'.... Is that your name and profession?' "Yes, Sire; I am a defender of the oppressed." "Did Marcel send you to me?" "I told you so, and proved it by forwarding the medallion. What do you want of me? Ask; I shall answer." "What is the purpose of your message?" "You shall know it when you will have set me free of my bonds." "The bonds do not tie your tongue ... seems to me! You can answer very well as you are." "You ignore my character of ambassador! I have come in that capacity." "That's subtle ... but be careful; the minutes are precious; your message is certainly important.... Its success may be endangered by a prolonged silence." "Sire, I came to you, if not as a friend, still as an ally. You treat me like an enemy. Master Marcel will be thankful for my reserve----" "Very well," said Charles the Wicked, ringing a bell. The call was forthwith answered by the equerry. "Let this man be taken outside of the town, and the gates closed after him. Do not allow him in again." After a brief struggle with himself, Jocelyn resumed: "However outrageous be the reception you give an envoy of Marcel, I shall speak and fulfill my mission." At another sign from the King of Navarre, the equerry stepped out again and the former said to Jocelyn: "What is your message?" "Master Marcel charged me to say to you, Sire, that it was time to open the campaign; the Regent's army is marching upon Paris; all the vassals are up in arms; numerous troops of Jacques must be approaching Clermont to join you. Indeed, I am astonished at not having met any Jacques." "By what gate did you enter Clermont? From what side did you cross the walls?"