So they went, and with them David, who had witnessed the confession of Father Nicholas.  Therefore they thought it best that he should accompany them to testify to it if there were need.

“Bid my lady keep a good heart and say that I will be with her again ere long,” said Hugh as they descended the stairs in haste.

Following the guidance of Basil, they turned first this way and then that, till soon in the gathering darkness they knew not where they were.

“What was the name of the street in which Sir Andrew had his lodging?” asked Hugh, halting.

“Rue St. Benezet,” answered Basil.  “Forward, we have no time to lose.”

“Did you tell Sir Andrew where we dwelt, master?” said Dick presently, “for I did not.”

“By my faith, Dick, no; it slipped my mind.”

“Then it will be hard for him to find us if he has need, master, in this rabbit warren of a town.  Still that can’t be mended now.  I wish we were clear of this business, for it seems to me that yon fellow is not leading us toward the palace.  Almost am I minded——­” and he looked at Basil, then checked himself.

Presently Dick wished it still more.  Taking yet another turn they found themselves in an open square or garden that was surrounded by many mean houses.  In this square great pest-fires burned, lighting it luridly.  By the flare of them they saw that hundreds of people were gathered there listening to a mad-eyed friar who was preaching to them from the top of a wine-cart.  As they drew near to the crowd through which Basil was leading them, Hugh heard the friar shouting: 

“Men of Avignon, this pest which kills us is the work not of God, but of the Jew blasphemers and of the sorcerers who are in league with them.  I tell you that two such sorcerers who pass as Englishmen are in your city now and have been consorting with the Jews, plotting your destruction.  One looks like a young knight, but the other has the face of Death himself, and both of them wrought murders in a neighbouring town to protect the Jews.  Until you kill the accursed Jews this plague will never pass.  You will die, every one of you, with your wives and children if you do not kill the Jews and their familiars.”

Just then the man, rolling his wild eyes about, caught sight of Hugh and Dick.

“See!” he screamed.  “There are the wizards who in Venice were seen in the company of the Enemy of Mankind.  That good Christian, Basil, has brought them face to face with you, as he promised me that he would.”

As he heard these words Hugh drew his sword and leapt at Basil.  But the rogue was watching.  With a yell of fear he threw himself among the crowd and there vanished.

“Out weapons, and back to back!” cried Hugh, “for we are snared.”

So the three of them ranged themselves together facing outward.  In front of them gleamed Grey Dick’s axe, Hugh’s sword and David’s great knife.  In a moment the furious mob was surging round them like the sea, howling, “Down with the foreign wizards!  Kill the friends of the Jews!” one solid wall of changing white faces.