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Then Murgh turned and spoke in his slow and icy voice: "You were about to seek me in the fosse of this high tower, were you not, Hugh de Cressi and Richard Archer? A foolish thought, in truth, and a sinful, so sinful that it would have served you well if I had let you come. But your strait was sore and your faith was weak, and I had no such command.
"Ay, Sire; at least if the writing be that of Sir Andrew Arnold, for he was my master." "A learned one and a brave, Hugh de Cressi. Well, break seal; we listen."
And yet she's here, for Thomas of Kessland caught sight of her red cloak among the reeds, and what's more, Hugh de Cressi is with her, and Grey Dick too, for both were seen." "I am glad there's a third," said Sir John drily, "though God save me from his arrows!
"In fair fight, very fair fight," croaked Grey Dick. "Who doubts it? Can a de Cressi be a murderer?" asked the priest. "And you, Richard the Archer, what have you done?" "Shot a good horse and three bad men dead with arrows at least they should be dead and another through the hand, standing one against twenty."
"Was it at Blythburgh, in Suffolk, perchance?" asked Hugh. "Ay, at Blythburgh in Suffolk; but who are you that speak in English and know of Blythburgh in Suffolk?" "Oh!" cried Hugh, "what do you here, Sir Andrew Arnold?" The old man threw back his hood and stared at him. "Hugh de Cressi, by Christ's holy Name!" he exclaimed. "Yes, and Richard the archer, also.
Perchance both will be wanted, since the Claverings will scarcely let us out of the sanctuary if they can help it. Still, it is true they may not know where we lie hid, and that is our best chance of eating more good breakfasts this side the grave." "A pest on your evil talk," said de Cressi with an uneasy laugh, for he loved Hugh best of all his sons and was afraid of him.
But of all this departed splendour but little could be seen, since the place was lit only by a single lamp of whale's oil and a fire that burned upon the wide stone hearth, a great fire, since Father Arnold, who had spent many years of his life in the East, loved warmth. "Now, Hugh de Cressi," he said, "what have you done?" "Slain my cousin, John of Clavering, Father, and perhaps another man."
Well, good-bye, Hugh de Cressi, till you are sick of kisses and the long shafts begin to fly again, for then you will bethink you of a certain bow and of him who alone can bend it."
The flurry in the snow was at an end. John lay on his back, de Cressi knelt on him and lifted his short sword. "Do you yield?" men heard him say. "Nay," answered Clavering. Then suddenly Hugh rose and suffered his adversary to do likewise. "I'll not stick you like a hog!" he said, and some cried, "Well done!" for the act seemed noble. Only Acour muttered, "Fool!"
Again he paused and again there was no answer. "Moreover," he added, "I have news for you which I fear you will think sad and which, believe me, I pray you, it pains me to give, though the man was my rival and my enemy. Hugh de Cressi, to whom you held yourself affianced, is dead." She quivered a little at the words, but still made no answer, for her will was very strong.
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