De Lacy frowned, and his patience began to ebb.  For the first time he assumed the offensive.  Pressing Selim close, he feinted quickly twice, and catching the other off guard he brought his sword down on the stranger’s with a crash.  There was a flash of sparks, a sharp ring of metal on stones, and of the weapon naught was left but a silver hilt.

“Yield,” said Aymer sternly, presenting his point at the man’s throat.  “It is your last chance.”

“I yield,” said the other, hurling the bladeless hilt to the ground.  “And may the Devil get the rogue that forged this weapon!  And now, fair Knight,—­for I see that your spurs are golden,—­I will avow my destination to be London, and I presume I am at liberty to proceed.”

“Nay, I shall have to ask you to bear me company back to Northampton,” said De Lacy kindly.

“How so!  Am I a prisoner?”

“Only until daybreak.”

“It is most unusual—­but, so be it.”  Then he turned to his companion.  “Farewell, James,” he said, “my misfortune need not affect you.  I will join you in London.”

De Lacy shook his head.  “He came with you, and with you he bides.  Giles, see to him.”

“Truly, this is a strange proceeding on the King’s highway, and with His Majesty but a few miles distant,” the other exclaimed with increasing heat.

“Pardieu! how know you of the King’s whereabouts?” said De Lacy, scanning the man’s face.  “I believe you are from Northampton.”

A shrug of the shoulders was the only answer.

At that moment the patrol rode up and was about to proceed when Sir Aymer stopped him.

“You know this man?” he demanded.

The soldier came closer; and after a brief glance answered:  “He is a squire in the household of Lord Rivers, so please you; I have seen him often.”

De Lacy smiled.  “So that explains your knowledge of the King.  I regret, however, that Rivers’ message will not reach Edward to-night.  Nathless, I would like to know how you passed the guards thus far.”

“This fellow’s statement that I am of Lord Rivers’ following does not establish that I am from him now,” replied the squire.  “You, yourself, saw that I struck the highway only at this spot, and that I did not come from the direction of Northampton.”

“Yet that proves nothing to my mind, except that you thought to avoid the patrol by a detour and have failed.  Come, sir, we will face Northward, if you please; enough time has been wasted in profitless debate.”

The squire wheeled his horse to the right, as though to comply; then suddenly driving home the spurs he cleared the road at a bound and dashed back the way he had come.