“I charge the whole world—till I know the truth. Who brought us here? How was it the place was empty? Who betrayed the secret to Merlin? Who gave Merlin the King’s ring?” Knollys opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. He turned, and began to stamp up and down the hall, glancing at Merlin every time he passed. “Thunder!” He wheeled round and faced Fulk. “By God, lad, such words take some swallowing! And this black treachery! The boy knew! He gave the ring! He has spat upon our honour!” His eyes were like the eyes of a man leading a charge of horse. “Shall I, Robert Knollys, have to pledge myself on the Cross? Where is Isoult?” “Out yonder.” “Bring her in to me. Let her hear.” Fulk went out into the garden and brought her into the hall, where Knollys was pacing up and down. He paused in his stride, swung round, and saw Isoult’s bandaged arm. “Wounded?” “She turned a knife aside from me, Knollys.” “Isoult, a woman can look into a man’s eyes and read his honour. Fulk here looks at me askance, as though I, Robert Knollys, were a false and bloody dog fit to hunt with that dead hound yonder. By the Cross of Christ, I knew nothing of this treachery.” Isoult was ready with her answer. “I believe it.” But Knollys looked at Fulk. “Let him speak, for I was his father’s comrade in arms.” Something gave way in Fulk’s mistrust. The blood rushed to his face; his eyes grew generous. He stood forward, holding out a hand. “Knollys, God pardon me. I have had a devil in me since I saw the ring on that friar’s hand.” “And, by heaven, lad, I too have a devil in me. Richard is at Windsor; I would put this ring in the false boy’s nose.” He went to where Merlin lay, and, taking the ring from the dead hand, slipped it on his own little finger. “Madame Isoult, trust your man to me. I will leave Cavendish and a guard here. They shall clear out these shambles. And to-morrow you shall see our faces again.” She looked Knollys steadily in the eyes. “Yes, I trust you. But this man of mine has not slept.” Fulk laughed. “What is a night without a bed to a forester? Knollys, I am with you. Our horses are in the stable.” “You shall take Cavendish’s. It will save time, and we can get fresh mounts on the road. I blow like a north wind when my blood is up. Come.” He took Isoult’s hand, lifted it to his lips, and then turned towards the door. “Take her in your arms, lad. A brave woman is worth all the good wine in the world.” CHAPTER XXXIX It was late in the afternoon when they saw William of Wykeham’s tower rising above the trees like a casket of rose-red marble. The track ran near the river, and a long curve of placid water ended in the great castle set upon its hill. It was lush country, and very green, and pleasant to behold, and in some of the meadows men were making hay.