For a little while Crispin sat quite still, stripped of his last rag of hope. Then suddenly bracing himself, he sprang up, despite his weakness. “Bring him to me. I will see him at once.” “Tout-a-l'heure, monsieur,” replied the landlord. “At the moment he is absent. He went out to take the air a couple of hours ago, and is not yet returned.” “Heaven send he has walked into the sea!” Crispin broke out passionately. Then as passionately he checked himself. “No, no, my God--not that! I meant not that.” “Monsieur will sup?” “At once, and let me have lights.” The host withdrew, to return a moment later with a couple of lighted tapers, which he set upon the table. As he was retiring, a heavy step sounded on the stair, accompanied by the clank of a scabbard against the baluster. “Here comes milord's countryman,” the landlord announced. And Crispin, looking up in apprehension, saw framed in the doorway the burly form of Harry Hogan. He sat bolt upright, staring as though he beheld an apparition. With a sad smile, Hogan advanced, and set his hand affectionately upon Galliard's shoulder. “Welcome to France, Crispin,” said he. “If not him whom you looked to find, you have at least a loyal friend to greet you.” “Hogan!” gasped the knight. “What make you here? How came you here? Where is Jocelyn?” The Irishman looked at him gravely for a moment, then sighed and sank down upon a chair. “You have brought the lady?” he asked. “She is here. She will be with us presently.” Hogan groaned and shook his grey head sorrowfully. “But where is Jocelyn?” cried Galliard again, and his haggard face looked very wan and white as he turned it inquiringly upon his companion. “Why is he not here?” “I have bad news.” “Bad news?” muttered Crispin, as though he understood not the meaning of the words. “Bad news?” he repeated musingly. Then bracing himself, “What is this news?” “And you have brought the lady too!” Hogan complained. “Faith, I had hoped that you had failed in that at least.” “Sdeath, Harry,” Crispin exclaimed. “Will you tell me the news?” Hogan pondered a moment. Then: