“For this deserved chastisement Count Calli seeks the young man’s life by bearing false witness against him; and with it that of my old friend, Sir Karl de Pitti.  It is Burgundy’s shame, my lord, that these treacherous mercenaries should be allowed to murder strangers and to outrage Your Grace’s loyal subjects in the name of Your Lordship’s justice.  Sir Maximilian du Guelph has demanded the combat against this Count Calli.  Sir Maximilian is a spurred and belted knight, and under the laws of chivalry even Your Grace may not gainsay him.”

“My lord, I do not fight assassins and spies,” said Calli, addressing the duke.

“I do,” cried Max, “when they put injuries upon me as this false coward has done.  I will prove upon his body, my Lord Duke, who is the assassin and the spy.  My Lord d’Hymbercourt will vouch that my rank entitles me to fight in knightly combat with any man in this presence.  My wrists are manacled, my lord, and I have no gage to throw before this false knight; but, my Lord of Burgundy, I again demand the combat.  One brave as Your Grace is must also be just.  We shall leave Count Calli no excuse to avoid this combat, even if I must tell Your Grace my true rank and station.”

“This knight,” said Hymbercourt, addressing Charles and extending his hand toward Max, “is of birth entitling him to meet in the lists any knight in Burgundy, and I will gladly stand his sponsor.”

“My Lord d’Hymbercourt’s sponsorship proves any man,” said the duke, who well knew that Campo-Basso and his friends would commit any crime to avenge an injury, fancied or real.

“My Lord Duke, I pray your patience,” said Campo-Basso, obsequiously.  “No man may impugn my Lord d’Hymbercourt’s honesty, but may he not be mistaken?  In the face of the evidence against this man, may he not be mistaken?  The six men who were with Count Calli will testify to the treasonable words spoken by this young spy.”

“Does any other man in presence know these men?” asked the duke.  No one responded.

After a little time Hymbercourt broke silence.

“I am grieved and deeply hurt, my lord, that you should want other evidence than mine against the witnesses who make this charge.  I am a Burgundian.  These witnesses are Italians who love Your Grace for the sake of the gold they get.  I had hoped that my poor services had earned for me the right to be believed, but if I may have a little time, I will procure another man whose word shall be to you as the word of your father.”

“Bring him into our presence,” answered the duke.  “We will see him to-morrow at this hour.”

“May I not crave Your Grace’s indulgence for a half-hour?” pleaded Hymbercourt.  “I will have this man here within that time.”

“Not another minute,” replied the duke.  “Heralds, cry the rising.”

“Oyez!  Oyez!  Oyez!  His Grace, the Duke of Burgundy, is about to rise.  His Grace has risen,” cried the herald.