“Yes, it is true that he knows,” answered Raymond; “but he counsels us to keep our secret awhile longer.  He thinks, as does Gaston, that we were wiser first to win our way to greater fame and fortune than mere boys can hope to do, and then to stand revealed as those sprung from a noble line.  How came he to know?  That I will tell thee when I am something rested.  But I am so weary with our journey that I scarce know how to frame my thoughts in fitting words.  Yet I am glad to see thy face again, good John.  I have been wearying long for a sight of thee.”

“Thou art indeed sadly changed thyself, my cousin,” said John.  “In truth, men who go to these wars go with their lives in their hands.  Was it on the glorious field of Crecy that thou receivedst some hurt?  Sure thou hast been sore wounded.  But thou shalt tell me all thy tale anon, when thou art something rested and refreshed.”

The tale was told that same evening, when, after Raymond had slept for a few hours and had been able then to partake of some food, he felt, in part at least, recovered from the fatigues of the long ride from the coast, and could recline at ease beside the glowing fire, and talk to John of all that had befallen him since they had parted two and a half years before.

The account of the victory at Crecy was eagerly listened to, and also that of the subsequent march upon Calais, when the King of France, choosing to consider the campaign at an end, had disbanded both his armies, leaving the victorious King of England to build unmolested a new town about Calais, in which his soldiers could live through the winter in ease and plenty, and complete the blockade both by sea and land undisturbed by hostile demonstrations.

“It seems to me,” said Raymond, “that did our great Edward wish to make good his claim on the crown of France, he has only to march straight upon Paris and demand coronation there.  When after the victory at Crecy and the subsequent triumphs I have told you of, over band after band of troops all going to the support of Philip, we could have marched unopposed through the length and breadth of the land, none daring to oppose us, the soldiers all thought that Paris, not Calais, would be the next halting place.

“What thinkest thou, good John?  Thou knowest much of the true mind of the King.  Why, after so glorious a victory, does he not make himself master of all France?”

John smiled his thoughtful smile.

“Verily because our King is statesman as well as soldier; and though he boldly advances a claim on the crown of France, to give the better colour to his feats of arms against its King, he knows that he could not rule so vast an empire as that of France and England together would be, and that his trusty subjects at home would soon grow jealous and discontented were they to find themselves relegated to the second place, whilst their mighty Edward took up his abode in his larger and more turbulent kingdom of France.