Now I bowed before him, rubbing my hands, and answered, for so the humour led me:  “Then I fear that I must take my lord farther than my lord would wish to travel just at present, though who knows?  Perchance, like the rest of us, he may take that journey sooner than he thinks.”

Now at the sound of my voice I saw the lady Blanche stare at me, trying to catch sight of my face beneath the hood which I wore on this cold day, while Deleroy started and said briefly: 

“Your meaning?”

“It is plain, my lord.  John Grimmer is dead and I know not where he dwells at present since he took that secret with him.  But I, who unworthily carry on his trade, am at your lordship’s service.”

Then I turned and bade the shopman command Kari to come hither and bring with him the choicest of our cups and jewels.

He went and I busied myself in setting stools for these noble customers to rest on before the fire.  As I did so by chance my hand touched that of the lady Blanche, whereat once more she strove to peer beneath my hood.  It was as though the nature in her knew that touch again, as by some instinct every woman does, if once the toucher’s lips have been near her own, though it be long ago.  But I only turned my head away and drew that hood the closer.

Now Kari came and with him the shopman, bearing the precious wares.  Kari wore a wool-lined robe, very plain, which yet became him so well that with his fine-cut face and flashing eyes he looked like an Eastern prince disguised.  At him this fine pair stared, for never had they seen such a man, but taking no note, with many bows he showed the jewels one by one.  Among these was a gem of great value, a large, heart-shaped ruby that Kari had set in a surround of twisted golden serpents with heads raised to strike and little eyes of diamonds.  Upon this brooch the lady Blanche fixed her gaze and discarding all others, began to play with it, till at length the lord Deleroy asked the price.  I consulted with Kari, explaining that myself I did not handle this branch of my business, then named it carelessly; it was a great sum.

“God’s truth!  Blanche,” said Deleroy, “this merchant thinks I am made of gold.  You must choose a cheaper ornament for your new year’s gift, or he will have to wait for payment.”

“Which mayhap I should be willing to do from one of your quality, my lord,” I interrupted, bowing.

He looked at me and said: 

“Can I have a word apart with you, merchant?”

Again I bowed and led him to the eating-room where he gazed about him, amazed at the richness of the furnishings.  He sat him down upon a carven chair while I stood before him humbly and waited.

“I am told,” he said at length, “that John Grimmer did other business besides that of selling jewels.”

“Yes, my lord, some foreign trade.”

“And some home trade also.  I mean that he lent money.”