第38章

``Swearestthou，HolyClerk?’’saidtheBlackKnight。

``ClerkmenoClerks，’’repliedthetransformedpriest；``bySaintGeorgeandtheDragon，Iamnolongerashavelingthanwhilemyfrockisonmyback——WhenIamcasedinmygreencassock，I

willdrink，swear，andwooalass，withanyblitheforesterintheWestRiding。’’

``Comeon，JackPriest，’’saidLocksley，``andbesilent；thouartasnoisyasawholeconventonaholyeve，whentheFatherAbbothasgonetobed——

Comeonyou，too，mymasters，tarrynottotalkofit——Isay，comeon，wemustcollectallourforces，andfewenoughweshallhave，ifwearetostormtheCastleofReginaldFront-de-Buf。’’

``What！isitFront-de-Buf，’’saidtheBlackKnight，``whohasstoptontheking’shighwaytheking’sliegesubjects?——Isheturnedthiefandoppressor?’’

``Oppressorheeverwas，’’saidLocksley。

``Andforthief，’’saidthepriest，``Idoubtifeverhewereevenhalfsohonestamanasmanyathiefofmyacquaintance。’’

``Moveon，priest，andbesilent，’’saidtheyeoman；

``itwerebetteryouledthewaytotheplaceofrendezvous，thansaywhatshouldbeleftunsaid，bothindecencyandprudence。’’

CHAPTERXXI

Alas，howmanyhoursandyearshavepast，Sincehumanformshaveroundthistablesate，Orlamp，ortaper，onitssurfacegleam’d！

Methinks，Ihearthesoundoftimelongpass’dStillmurmuringo’erus，intheloftyvoidOfthesedarkarches，liketheling’ringvoicesOfthosewholongwithintheirgraveshaveslept。

_Orra，aTragedy。_

WhilethesemeasuresweretakinginbehalfofCedricandhiscompanions，thearmedmenbywhomthelatterhadbeenseized，hurriedtheircaptivesalongtowardstheplaceofsecurity，wheretheyintendedtoimprisonthem。Butdarknesscameonfast，andthepathsofthewoodseemedbutimperfectlyknowntothemarauders。Theywerecompelledtomakeseverallonghalts，andonceortwicetoreturnontheirroadtoresumethedirectionwhichtheywishedtopursue。Thesummermornhaddawneduponthemeretheycouldtravelinfullassurancethattheyheldtherightpath。Butconfidencereturnedwithlight，andthecavalcadenowmovedrapidlyforward。Meanwhile，thefollowingdialoguetookplacebetweenthetwoleadersofthebanditti。

``Itistimethoushouldstleaveus，SirMaurice，’’

saidtheTemplartoDeBracy，``inordertopreparethesecondpartofthymystery。Thouartnext，thouknowest，toacttheKnightDeliverer。’’

``Ihavethoughtbetterofit，’’saidDeBracy；``I

willnotleavetheetilltheprizeisfairlydepositedinFront-de-Buf’scastle。TherewillIappearbeforetheLadyRowenainmineownshape，andtrustthatshewillsetdowntothevehemenceofmypassiontheviolenceofwhichIhavebeenguilty。’’

``Andwhathasmadetheechangethyplan，DeBracy?’’repliedtheKnightTemplar。

``Thatconcernstheenothing，’’answeredhiscompanion。

``Iwouldhope，however，SirKnight，’’saidtheTemplar，``thatthisalterationofmeasuresarisesfromnosuspicionofmyhonourablemeaning，suchasFitzurseendeavouredtoinstilintothee?’’

``Mythoughtsaremyown，’’answeredDeBracy；

``thefiendlaughs，theysay，whenonethiefrobsanother；andweknow，thatwerehetospitfireandbrimstoneinstead，itwouldneverpreventaTemplarfromfollowinghisbent。’’

``OrtheleaderofaFreeCompany，’’answeredtheTemplar，``fromdreadingatthehandsofacomradeandfriend，theinjusticehedoestoallmankind。’’

``Thisisunp