Flat-Nose smiled.

“You will find her when you have topped these stairs,” he answered, and snapped his visor shut.

“I claim the villain!” De Bury exclaimed.

“Take him,” said De Lacy—­and whispered, to Giles Dauvrey:  “Keep behind Sir John, and if he weaken take his place until I come.”

Then with the old Knight in the middle and Aymer and Raynor Royk on either hand, they advanced to the fight.

But whereas at the gate they were on equal footing, here the assailed had vastly the advantage; for standing on the edge of the landing, where the stairs divided, they were high above their foes.  So the conflict began warily; and on the third step below the three halted and made play with the three above, seeking for a chance to rush up and get on even terms.  But the others were not to be confused by tricks or taken unaware, and were content to act only on the defensive and wait their opportunity.  And so they struggled for a while, with no result on either side save that the strain grew heavy and the breath came harder than at first.

Suddenly, Gorges’ heavy blade found an opening, and Sir John de Bury, with a great hole in his helmet, staggered back and sank into the arms of the men behind him.  But it brought no respite to the victor, for Giles Dauvrey stepped into the vacant place and his sword and Flat-Nose’s rang viciously together.

With a groan De Lacy marked the old Knight’s fall; then as for an instant his opponent’s eye wandered thither, he sprang up inside his stroke, and gripping him with both hands about the ankles threw him over his head and clean to the pavement below.

At this moment, Raynor Royk cut down his foe and joined his leader on the landing with the men-at-arms at his back.  Then, indeed, was the fight quickly ended—­save where Simon Gorges still held the squire at bay.

And while they fought a queer thing happened in the hall below, for Sir John de Bury got suddenly upon his feet and came toward the stairs.

“You must strike harder, Flat-Nose, to reach a skull through Spanish bascinet,” he said.  “Yet of a verity, did you stun me sore and show me stars in millions.  Have at him, De Lacy, I resign the rogue to you—­my legs are over shaky to stand on yonder stair.”

De Lacy motioned all to move back.

“Flat-Nose!” he called.  “You shall have one more chance.  Will you yield prisoner?”

Instantly Dauvrey stepped down out of reach and grounded blade.

“To dangle in a halter from the gate tower?” scoffed Gorges, facing about.  “Not by St. Edward!  Cry on your dogs.”

“Has life then grown tiresome to you?”

“Marry, no!  Yet it is but a change of deaths you offer; and I prefer the one that finds me sword in hand.”

“You have said the Countess of Clare is in this castle.  Will you accept life from her if she decree it; or in steel harness fight me to the death, if she condemn you?” De Lacy asked.