“Nothing,” Cuthbert said.  “I know no more than yourself.  Indeed, I hoped to have learned something from you as to the king.”

“I was separated from him at Gortz, and while he was taken a prisoner to the archduke, I was allowed to pursue my way.  I had many difficulties and dangers, and was some weeks in finding my way back.  Nothing was known of the king when I returned.  Indeed, I was the first bearer of any definite news concerning him since the day when he sailed from Acre.  Three weeks ago, as you may have learned, the news came that he is now detained in captivity by the emperor, who demanded his delivery by the Archduke John, into whose hands he first fell.  But where he is no one exactly knows.  The news has created an immense excitement in the kingdom, and all are resolved to sacrifice any of their treasures which may be demanded in order to satisfy the ransom which the recreant emperor has placed upon the king.  Shame is it indeed that a Christian sovereign should hold another in captivity.  Still more, when that other was returning through his dominions as a Crusader coming from the Holy Land, when his person should be safe, even to his deadliest enemy.  It has long been suspected that he was in the hands either of the emperor or of the archduke, and throughout Europe the feeling of indignation has been strong; and I doubt not, now that the truth is known, this feeling will be stronger than ever.”

“But now that it is known,” Cuthbert said, “I suppose there will be no delay in ransoming the king.”

“There will be no delay in raising the ransom,” Sir Baldwin said.  “But the kingdom is very impoverished by war, by the exactions of Prince John, and by those of Langley, who held it for King Richard.  He was a loyal servant of the king, but an exacting and rapacious prelate.  However, I doubt not that the rents of the English nobles will soon be charged with sums sufficient for the ransom; and if this avail not, not one of them will grudge their silver flagons and vessels to melt down to make the total required.  But we must not flatter ourselves that he will obtain his liberty so soon as the money is raised.  Prince John has long been yearning for sovereignty.  He has long exercised the real, if not the nominal, power, and he has been intriguing with the pope and Philip of France for their support for his seizing the crown.  He will throw every obstacle in the way, as, we may be sure, will Philip of France, Richard’s deadly enemy.  And now about yourself, Sir Cuthbert; tell me what has befallen you since we last met.”

Cuthbert related the adventures which had befallen him, and heard those of Sir Baldwin.

“You have not, I suppose,” the latter remarked, “as yet seen Prince John?”

“No,” Cuthbert replied, “I thought it better to come down to ask you to advise me on the position of affairs before I attempted to see him.”