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Because, if so, I will do my best, provided " and he looked at the pocket of Acour's robe. "How much?" asked Acour. The man named a great sum, half to be paid down and half on the delivery of the papers. "I'll double it," said Acour, "if you can bring it about that these insolent Englishmen die of the pest." "How can I do that, lord?" asked Basil with a sour smile.
But Hugh was watching, and sprang back, and then the fray began, if fray it can be called. A wild joy shining in his eyes, Hugh grasped his long sword with both hands and struck. So great was that blow that it bit through Acour's armour, beneath his right arm, deep into the flesh and sent him staggering back.
Indeed, had not Acour vowed that he would hang the first man who attempted to desert, some of them would have left him to make the best of their way back to France. For always as they crouched by the smoking hearth they dreamed of Grey Dick and his terrible arrows. Sir Edmund Acour's letter came safely into the hands of Eve, brought to her by the Mayor himself. It read thus: Lady,
Lastly he learned that King Edward, in a letter written by one of his secretaries to Sir Andrew Arnold and received only that morning, said that he held him, Hugh de Cressi, not to blame for Acour's escape.
He told how Acour's letter had been won from his messenger by Sir Andrew's loyal guile. He told of the penance that Sir Andrew had laid upon them because of the new-shed blood of John Clavering, of the flight from Dunwich and the shooting of the horses of the Clavering men, and of their ride to London and to Windsor.
This man stretched out his hand to seize Hugh, but before ever it fell upon his shoulder the bow twanged and Acour's retainer was seen whirling round and round, cursing with pain. In the palm of his hand was an arrow that had sunk through it to the feathers. "You are right; that knave shoots well," said the Count to Sir John, who made no answer.
For a while there was silence. There they stood and stared at the smitten man waiting the end, whatever it might be. They all stared save Murgh, who fixed his stony eyes upon the sky. Presently it came. The sword, falling from Acour's hand into the grave, rested there point upward. With a last effort he drew his dagger.
"Sir Edmund Acour's, lord de Noyon, Sire, only, alack! another man was within the armour." "Your meaning?" said the King briefly, and in few words Hugh told the tale. "A strange story, Sir Hugh. It would seem that God fought against you in this matter.
This house, called Frog Hall, was part of Acour's estate, and because of the ague prevalent there in autumn, had been long unattended. Nor did any visit it at this season of the year, when no cattle grazed upon these salt marshes.
Then they withdrew to the side of the dais, and, standing under a lantern, spelled out Sir Edmund Acour's letter to the Duke of Normandy, word by word. The King finished the letter, and, still holding it in his hand, stood for a minute silent. Then his rage broke out. "'He of England," he quoted.