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Updated: June 1, 2025
"My most gracious lord," said he, "the noble Count Calli is loath to lift the gage of an unknown man, and would make bold to say that he will not do so until he is satisfied that he who so boastingly offers it is worthy in blood, station, and knighthood to stand before him." "For all that I will stand surety," said Hymbercourt, turning to the duke and to Campo-Basso.
"Will Count Calli lift the gage, or shall we appoint a court of heraldry to determine whether or no the combat shall take place?" There was a whispered conversation among the Italians, after which Campo-Basso addressed the duke.
"We cannot gainsay Your Lordship's surety, most gracious duke," returned Campo-Basso; "but with all meekness and humility we would suggest, with Your Grace's permission, that when a man jeopards his life against another he feels it his right to know at least his foe's name." "Count Calli must content himself with knowing that the knight's name is Sir Maximilian du Guelph.
"I may not go to your uncle's house, Fräulein," answered Max. "I can go safely to the inn. Do not fear for me." Yolanda protested frantically, but Max refused. "Go quickly, then," she said, "and be on your guard at all times. This man who came upon us is Count Calli, the greatest villain in Burgundy. He is a friend of Campo-Basso.
Campo-Basso and his troops held the bridge of Bouxieres, by which the Burgundian fugitives would want to pass; and the Lorrainerss of Rend and his Swiss and German allies scoured the country, killing all with whom they fell in. Rend returned to Nancy in the midst of a population whom his victory had delivered from famine as well as war.
After the duke had set on foot a search for the man who had fired the arquebuse, he came down to the false lists and stood with Hymbercourt and me, discussing the event. Campo-Basso said that his heart was "sore with grief," and the Italians jabbered like monkeys. One of them wanted to kiss Max for sparing his kinsman's life, but Max thrust him off with a fierce oath.
The year before, he had made an offer to Louis XI. to go over to him with his troops during a battle, or to hand over to him the Duke of Burgundy, dead or alive. Louis mistrusted the traitor, and sent Charles notice of the offers made by Campo-Basso. But Charles mistrusted Louis's information, and kept Campo-Basso in his service.
"My Lord Duke, I beg you not to sign the warrant until I have asked a few questions of my Lord Campo-Basso concerning these alleged spies." "Why do you say 'alleged spies, my Lord d'Hymbercourt?" asked the duke. "Do you know anything of them? Are they friends of yours?" "If they are friends of mine, Your Grace may be sure they are not spies," answered Hymbercourt.
Did not I command you to make haste?" "You did, my lord," answered the herald. "King Louis put me off from day to day, always promising me an answer, but giving it only yesterday afternoon when the sun was half below the horizon." Charles nervously broke the seals of the package, and attempted to read the letter. He failed, and handed it to Campo-Basso, saying: "Read the missive.
"I fear, my lord," said Campo-Basso, with a sympathetic desire to make trouble, if possible, "that His Majesty delays an answer while he frames one that shall be elusive, yet conciliatory. King Louis, Your Grace knows, thinks many times before each word he speaks or writes." "If he has intentionally delayed this answer, I'll give him cause to think many times after his words," said Charles.
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