The next morning he was led out to the square before the castle.  It was a large flagged courtyard.  Upon one side was the entrance to the castle, one of whose wings also formed a second side to the square.  The side facing this was formed by the wall of the city, and the fourth opened upon a street of the town.  This side of the square was densely filled with citizens, while the men-at-arms of the baron and a large number of knights were gathered behind a scaffold erected in the centre.  Upon this was a block, and by the side stood a headsman.  As Cuthbert was led forward a thrill of pleasure ran through him at perceiving no signs of his followers, who he greatly feared might have been captured in the night, and brought there to share his fate.

As he was led forward, the young noble whose life he had saved advanced to the baron, and dropping on one knee before him, craved the life of Cuthbert, relating the event by which he had saved his life in the passage of the mountains.  The baron frowned heavily.

“Though he had saved the life of every noble in Bavaria,” he said, “he should die.  I have sworn an oath that every Englishman who fell into my hands should expiate the murder of my kinsman; and this fellow is, moreover, guilty of an outrage to the arms of Austria.”

The young Sir Ernest drew himself up haughtily.

“My lord baron,” he said, “henceforth I renounce all allegiance to you, and I will lay the case before the emperor, our common master, and will cry before him at the outrage which has thus been passed upon a noble gentleman.  He has thrown down the glove, and challenged any of your knights, and I myself am equally ready to do battle in his cause.”

The baron grew red with passion, and he would have ordered the instant arrest of the young man, but as Sir Ernest was connected by blood with many present, and was indeed one of the most popular among the nobles of the province, the baron simply waved him aside, and ordered Cuthbert to be led to the block.  The young Englishman was by the executioner divested of his armour and helmet, and stood in the simple attire worn by men of rank at that time.  He looked around, and holding up his hand, conveying alike a farewell and a command to his followers to remain in concealment, he gazed round the crowd, thinking that he might see among them in some disguise or other the features of Cnut, whose tall figure would have rendered him conspicuous in a crowd.  He failed, however, to see any signs of him, and turning to the executioner, signified by a gesture that he was ready.

At this instant an arrow from the wall above pierced the brain of the man, and he fell dead in his tracks.  A roar of astonishment burst from the crowd.  Upon the city wall at this point was a small turret, and on this were five figures.  The wall around was deserted, and for the moment these men were masters of the position.

“Seize those insolent varlets!” the baron shouted, shaking his sword with a gesture of fury at them.