"So！"saidSirJames。"Nowmindtheeofthis，thatwhenthoustrikestthatlowercutatthelegs，recoverthyselfmorequickly。Now，then，strikemeitatthepel。"
Gascoyneandotheroftheladswhowerejustthenlyingstretchedoutuponthegrassbeneath，atreeattheedgeoftheopencourtwherestoodthepels，wereinterestedspectatorsofthewholescene。NotoneofthemintheirmemoryhadheardSirJamessoansweredfacetofaceasMyleshadansweredhim，and，afterall，perhapstheladhimselfwouldnothavedonesohadhebeenlongeraresidentinthesquires’quartersatDevlen。
"By’rLady！thouartacoolblade，Myles，"saidGascoyne，astheymarchedbacktothearmoryagain。"NeverheardIonebespeakSirJamesasthouhastdonethisday。"
"And，afterall，"saidanotheroftheyoungsquires，"oldBruinwasnotsoill—pleased，methinks。Thatwasashrewdblowhefetchedtheeonthecrown，Falworth。Marry，Iwouldnothavehaditonmyownskullforasilverpenny。"
CHAPTER7
Solittledoesittaketomakeabody’sreputation。
Thatnightallthesquires’quartersbuzzedwiththestoryofhowthenewboy，Falworth，hadansweredSirJamesLeetohisfacewithoutfear，andhadexchangedblowswithhimhandtohand。
WalterBlunthimselfwasmovedtosomeshowofinterest。
"Whatsaidhetothee，Falworth？"askedhe。
"Hesaidnaught，"saidMyles，brusquely。"Heonlysoughttoshowmehowtorecoverfromtheundercut。"
"Itispassingstrangethatheshouldtakesomuchnoticeoftheeastoexchangeblowswiththeewithhisownhand。Haplythouarteitherveryquickorparlousslowatarms。"
"Itisquickthatheis，"saidGascoyne，speakingupinhisfriend’sbehalf。"ForthesecondtimethatFalworthdeliveredthestroke，SirJamescouldnotreachhimtoreturn；soIsawwithmineowneyes。"
ButthatverysterlingindependencethathadbroughtMylessocreditablythroughthisadventurewascertaintoembroilhimwiththerude，half—savageladsabouthim，someofwhom，especiallyamongthebachelors，werehissuperiorsaswellinageasinskillandtraining。Assaidbefore，thebachelorshadenforcedfromtheyoungerboysafaggingsortofattendanceontheirvariouspersonalneeds，anditwasuponthispointthatMylesfirstcametogrief。Asitchanced，severaldayspassedbeforeanydemandwasmadeuponhimforservicetotheheadsofthesquirehood，butwhenthatdemandwasmade，thebachelorswereveryquicktoseethattheboywhowasboldenoughtospeakuptoSirJamesLeewasnotlikelytobeawillingfagforthem。
"Itellthee，Francis，"hesaid，asGascoyneandhetalkedoverthematteroneday——"ItelltheeIwillneverservethem。
Prithee，whatshamecanbefoulerthantodosuchmenialservice，savingforone’srightfulLord？"
"Marry！"quothGascoyne；"Ireasonnotofshameatthisorthat。
AllIknowisthatothersservethemwhoarehaplyasgoodandmaybebetterthanIbe，andthatifIdonotservethemIgetknockedi’th’headtherefore，whichsamegoethsoothlyagainstmystomach。"
"Ijudgenotforthee，"saidMyles。"Thouartusedtothesecastleways，butonlyIknowthatIwillnotservethem，thoughtheybethirtyagainstmeinsteadofthirteen。"
"Thenthouartafool，"saidGascoyne，dryly。
NowinthismatterofservicetherewasonethingaboveallothersthatstirredMylesFalworth’sill—liking。ThewinterbeforehehadcometoDevlen，WalterBlunt，whowassomewhatofaSybariteinhisway，andwhohadarepugnancetobathinginthegeneraltankintheopenarmorycourtinfrostyweather，hadhadDickCarpenterbuildatroughinthecornerofthedormitoryfortheuseofthebachelors，andeverymorningitwasthedutyoftwooftheyoungersquirestobringthreepailsofwatertofillthisprivatetankfortheuseoftheheadesquires。Itwasseeingtwoofhisfellow—esquiresfetchingandcarryingthiswaterthatMylesdislikedsoheartily，andeverymorninghisbilewasstirredanewatthesight。
"SoonerwouldIdiethanyieldtosuchvileservice，"saidhe。
Hedidnotknowhowsoonhisprotestationswouldbeputtothetest。
Onenight——itwasaweekortwoafterMyleshadcometoDevlen——BluntwascalledtoattendtheEarlatlivery。Theliverywasthelastmealoftheday，andwasservedwithgreatpompandceremonyaboutnineo’clockatnighttotheheadofthehouseashelayinbed。Curfewhadnotyetrung，andtheladsinthesquires’quarterswerestillwrestlingandsparringandrompingboisterouslyinandoutaroundthelongrowofrudecotsinthegreatdormitoryastheymadereadyforthenight。Sixoreightflaringlinksinwrought—ironbracketsthatstoodoutfromthewallthrewagreatruddyglarethroughthebarrack—likeroom——alightofallotherstorompby。MylesandGascoynewereengagedindefendingthepassage—waybetweentheirtwocotsagainsttheattackofthreeotherlads，andMylesheldhissheepskincoverletrolledupintoaballandbalancedinhishand，readyforlaunchingattheheadofoneoftheotherssosoonasitshouldrisefrombehindtheshelterofacot。JustthenWalterBlunt，dressedwithmorethanusualcare，passedbyonhiswaytotheEarl’shouse。Hestoppedforamomentandsaid，"MayhapsIwillnotbeinuntillateto—night。ThouandFalworth，Gascoyne，mayfetchwaterto—morrow。
Thenhewasgone。Mylesstoodstaringafterhisretreatingfigurewitheyesopenandmouthagape，stillholdingtheballofsheepskinbalancedinhishand。Gascoyneburstintoahelplesslaughathisblank，stupefiedface，butthenextmomenthelaidhishandonhisfriend’sshoulder。
"Myles，"hesaid，"thouwiltnotmaketrouble，wiltthou？"
Mylesmadenoanswer。Heflungdownhissheepskinandsathimgloomilydownuponthesideofthecot。
"IsaidthatIwouldsoonerdiethanfetchwaterforthem，"saidhe。
"Aye，aye，"saidGascoyne；"butthatwasspokeninhaste。"
Mylessaidnothing，butshookhishead。
But，afterall，circumstancesshapethemselves。Thenextmorningwhenheroseupthroughthedarkwatersofsleepitwastofeelsomeoneshakinghimviolentlybytheshoulder。
"Come！"criedGascoyne，asMylesopenedhiseyes——"come，timepasseth，andwearelate。"
Myles，bewilderedwithhissuddenawakening，andstillfuddledwiththefumesofsleep，huddledintohisdoubletandhose，hardlyknowingwhathewasdoing；tyingapointhereandapointthere，andslippinghisfeetintohisshoes。ThenhehurriedafterGascoyne，frowzy，half—dressed，andevenyetonlyhalf—awake。ItwasnotuntilhewasfairlyoutintothefreshairandsawGascoynefillingthethreeleathernbucketsatthetank，thathefullyawakenedtothefactthathewasactuallydoingthathatefulserviceforthebachelorswhichhehadprotestedhewouldsoonerdiethanrender。
Thesunwasjustrising，gildingthecrownofthedonjon—keepwithaflameofruddylight。Below，amongthelesserbuildings，thedaywasstillgrayandmisty。Onlyanoccasionalnoisebrokethesilenceoftheearlymorning：acoughfromoneoftherooms；
therattleofapotorapan，stirredbysomesleepyscullion；
theclappingofadoororashutter，andnowandthenthecrowingofacockbackofthelongrowofstables——allsoundingloudandstartlinginthefreshdewystillness。
"Thouhastbetrayedme，"saidMyles，harshly，breakingthesilenceatlast。"IknewnotwhatIwasdoing，orelseIwouldneverhavecomehither。Ne’theless，eventhoughIbecome，Iwillnotcarrythewaterforthem。"
"Sobeit，"saidGascoyne，tartly。"Anthoucanstnotstomachit，letbe，andIwille’encarryallthreemyself。Itwillmakemetwojourneys，but，thankHeaven，Iamnotsoproudastowishtogetmehardknocksfornaught。"Sosaying，hepickeduptwoofthebucketsandstartedawayacrossthecourtforthedormitory。
ThenMyles，withaloweringface，snatchedupthethird，and，hurryingafter，gavehimhishandwiththeextrapail。Soitwasthathecametodoservice，afterall。
"Whytarriedyesolong？"saidoneoftheolderbachelors，roughly，asthetwoladsemptiedthewaterintothewoodentrough。Hesatontheedgeofthecot，blowzedanduntrussed，withhislonghairtumbledanddisordered。
HisdictatorialtonestungMylestofury。"Wetarriednolongerthanneedbe，"answeredhe，savagely。"Havewewingstoflywithalatyourbidding？"
Hespokesoloudlythatallintheroomheardhim；theyoungersquireswhoweredressingstaredinblankamazement，andBluntsatupsuddenlyinhiscot。
"Why，hownow？"hecried。"Answerestthoubackthybetterssopertly，sirrah？Bymysoul，Ihaveamindtocrackthyheadwiththisclogforthyunrulytalk。"
HeglaredatMylesashespoke，andMylesglaredbackagainwithrightgood—will。Mattersmighthavecometoacrisis，onlythatGascoyneandWilkesdraggedtheirfriendawaybeforehehadopportunitytoanswer。
"Anill—conditionedknaveaseverIdidsee，"growledBlunt，glaringafterhim。
"Myles，Myles，"saidGascoyne，almostdespairingly，"whywiltthoubreedsuchmischiefforthyself？Seestthounotthouhastgottheetheill—willofeveryoneofthebachelors，fromWatBlunttoRobindeRamsey？"
"Icarenot，"saidMyles，fiercely，recurringtohisgrievance。
"Heardyenothowthedogsupbraidedmebeforethewholeroom？
ThatBluntcalledmeanill—conditionedknave。"
"Marry！"saidGascoyne，laughing，"andsothouart。"
Thusitisthatboldnessmaybreedoneenemiesaswellasgainonefriends。Myownnotionisthatone’senemiesaremorequicktoactthanone’sfriends。
CHAPTER8
Everyoneknowsthedisagreeable，lurkingdiscomfortthatfollowsaquarrel——adiscomfortthatimbitterstheverytasteoflifeforthetimebeing。SuchwasthedulldistastethatMylesfeltthatmorningafterwhathadpassedinthedormitory。Everyoneintheproximityofsuchanopenquarrelfeelsareflectedconstraint，andinMyles’smindwasadisagreeabledoubtwhetherthatconstraintmeantdisapprovalofhimorofhislateenemies。
ItseemedtohimthatGascoyneaddedthelastbittertwangtohisunpleasantfeelingswhen，halfanhourlater，theymarchedwiththeotherstochapel。
"Whydostthoubreedsuchtroubleforthyself，Myles？"saidhe，recurringtowhathehadalreadysaid。"Isitnotfoolishfortheetocomehithertothisplace，andthennotsubmittothewaysthereof，astherestofusdo？"
"Thoutalkestnotlikeatruefriendtochidemethus，"saidMyles，sullenly；andhewithdrewhisarmfromhisfriend’s。
"Marry，comeup！"saidGascoyne；"anIwerenotthyfriend，I
wouldlettheejogthineownway。Itachesnotmybonestohavethinedrubbed。"
Justthentheyenteredthechapel，andwordsthatmighthaveledtoaquarrelwerebroughttoaclose。
Myleswasnotslowtoseethathehadtheillwilloftheheadoftheircompany。ThatmorninginthearmoryhehadoccasiontoasksomequestionofBlunt；theheadsquirestaredcoldlyathimforamoment，gavehimashort，gruffanswer，andthen，turninghisbackabruptly，begantalkingwithoneoftheotherbachelors。
Mylesflushedhotattheother’sinsultingmanner，andlookedquicklyaroundtoseeifanyoftheothershadobservedwhathadpassed。Itwasacomforttohimtoseethatallweretoobusyarmingthemselvestothinkofanythingelse；nevertheless，hisfacewasveryloweringasheturnedaway。
"SomedayIwillshowhimthatIamasgoodamanashe，"hemutteredtohimself。"Anevil—hearteddogtoputshameuponme！"
Thestormwasbrewingandreadytobreak。
Thatdaywasexceptionallyhotandclose，andpermissionhadbeenaskedbyandgrantedtothosesquiresnotondutytogodowntotheriverforabathafterexerciseatthepels。ButasMylesreplacedhisarmsintherack，alittlepagecamewithabiddingtocometoSirJamesinhisoffice。
"Looknow，"saidMyles，"hereisjustmyill—fortune。Whymighthenothavewaitedanhourlongerratherthancausemetomissgoingwithye？"
"Nay，"saidGascoyne，"letnotthatgrievethee，Myles。WilkesandIwillwaitfortheeinthedormitory——willwenot，Edmund？
MakethouhasteandgotoSirJames。"
SirJameswassittingatthetablestudyingoverascrollofparchment，whenMylesenteredhisofficeandstoodbeforehimatthetable。
"Well，boy，"saidhe，layingasidetheparchmentandlookingupatthelad，"Ihavetriedtheefairlyforthesefewdays，andmaysaythatIhavefoundtheeworthytobeenteredupontherollsasesquireofthebody。"
"Igivetheethanks，sir，"saidMyles。
Theknightnoddedhisheadinacknowledgement，butdidnotatoncegivethewordofdismissalthatMyleshadexpected。"Dostmeantowritetheealetterhomesoon？"saidhe，suddenly。
"Aye，"saidMyles，gapingingreatwondermentatthestrangenessofthequestion。
"Thenwhenthoudostsowrite，"saidSirJames，"givethoumydeepregardstothyfather。"Thenhecontinued，afterabriefpause。"HimdidIknowwellintimesgoneby，andwewererighttruefriendsinheartylove，andforhissakeIwouldbefriendthee——thatis，insomuchasisfitting。"
"Sir，"saidMyles；butSirJameshelduphishand，andhestoppedshortinhisthanks。
"But，boy，"saidhe，"thatwhichIsentfortheefortotelltheewasofmoreimportthanthese。Dostthouknowthatthyfatherisanattaintedoutlaw？"
"Nay，"criedMyles，hischeeksblazingupasredasfire；"whosayeththatofhimliethinhisteeth。"
"Thoudostmistakeme，"saidSirJames，quietly。"Itissometimesnoshametobeoutlawedandbanned。Haditbeenso，Iwouldnothavetoldtheethereof，norhavebiddentheesendmytruelovetothyfather，asIdidbutnow。But，boy，certeshestandestcontinuallyingreatdanger——greaterthanthouwottestof。Wereitknownwhereheliethhid，itmightbetohisundoingandutterruin。Methoughtthatbelikethoumightestnotknowthat；andsoI
sentfortheefortotelltheethatitbehoovesttheetosaynotonesinglewordconcerninghimtoanyofthesenewfriendsofthine，norwhoheis，norwhatheis。"
"Buthowcamemyfathertobesobanned？"saidMyles，inaconstrainedandhuskyvoice，andafteralongtimeofsilence。
"ThatImaynottelltheejustnow，"saidtheoldknight，"onlythis——thatIhavebeenbiddentomakeitknowntotheethatthyfatherhathanenemyfullaspowerfulasmyLordtheEarlhimself，andthatthroughthatenemyallhisill—fortune——hisblindnessandeverything——hathcome。Moreover，didthisenemyknowwherethyfatherlieth，hewouldslayhimrightspeedily。"
"Sir，"criedMyles，violentlysmitinghisopenpalmuponthetable，"tellmewhothismanis，andIwillkillhim！"
SirJamessmiledgrimly。"Thoutalkestlikeaboy，"saidhe。
"Waituntilthouartgrowntobeaman。Mayhapthenthoumaystrepenttheeoftheseboldwords，foronetimethisenemyofthyfather’swasreckonedtheforemostknightinEngland，andheisnowtheKing’sdearfriendandagreatlord。"
"But，"saidMyles，afteranotherlongtimeofheavysilence，"willnotmyLordthenbefriendmeforthesakeofmyfather，whowasonetimehisdearcomrade？"
SirJamesshookhishead。"Itmaynotbe，"saidhe。"NeitherthounorthyfathermustlookforopenfavorfromtheEarl。AnhebefriendedFalworth，anditcametobeknownthathehadgivenhimaidorsuccor，itmightbelikebetohisownundoing。No，boy；thoumustnotevenlooktobetakenintothehouseholdtoservewithgentlemenastheothersquiresdoserve，butmustevenlivethineownlifehereandfightthineownway。"
Myles’seyesblazed。"Then，"criedhe，fiercely，"itisshameandattaintuponmyLordtheEarl，andcowardiceaswell，andneverwillIaskfavorofhimwhoissountrueafriendastoturnhisbackuponacomradeintroubleasheturnethhisbackuponmyfather。"
"Thouartafoolishboy，"saidSirJameswithabittersmile，"andknowestnaughtoftheworld。Anthouwouldstlookformantobefriendmantohisowndanger，thoumustlookelsewherethanonthisearth。WasInotonetimeMackworth’sdearfriendaswellasthyfather？Itcouldcosthimnaughttohonorme，andhereamI
fallentobeateacherofboys。Goto！thouartafool。"
Then，afteralittlepauseofbroodingsilence，hewentontosaythattheEarlwasnobetterorworsethantherestoftheworld。
Thatmenofhispositionhadmanyjealousenemies，everseekingtheirruin，andthatsuchmustlookfirstofalleachtohimself，orelsebecertainlyruined，anddragdownothersinthatruin。
Myleswassilenced，butthebitternesshadenteredhisheart，andabidedwithhimformanyadayafterwards。
PerhapsSirJamesreadhisfeelingsinhisfrankface，forhesatlookingcuriouslyathim，twirlinghisgrizzledmustachethewhile。"Thouartliketohavehardknocksofit，lad，erethouhastgottentheesafethroughtheworld，"saidhe，withmorekindnessinhisharshvoicethanwasusual。"Butgettheenotintofightsbeforethytime。"Thenhechargedtheboyveryseriouslytoliveatpeacewithhisfellow—squires，andforhisfather’ssakeaswellashisowntoenterintononeofthebroilsthatweresofrequentintheirquarters。
ItwaswiththisspecialadmonitionagainstbrawlingthatMyleswasdismissed，toenter，beforefiveminuteshadpassed，intothefirstreallygreatfightofhislife。
BesidesGascoyneandWilkes，hefoundgatheredinthedormitorysixoreightofthecompanyofsquireswhoweretoservethatdayuponhouseholdduty；amongothers，WalterBluntandthreeotherbachelors，whowerechangingtheircoarseserviceclothesforothersmorefitforthehousehold。
"Whydidstthoutarrysolong，Myles？"saidGascoyne，asheentered。"Methoughtthouwertnevercoming。"
"Wheregoestthou，Falworth？"calledBluntfromtheotherendoftheroom，wherehewaslacinghisdoublet。
JustnowMyleshadnoheartintheswimmingorsportofanysort，butheanswered，shortly，"Igototherivertoswim。"
"Nay，"saidBlunt，"thougoestnotforthfromthecastleto—day。
Hastthouforgothowthoudidstanswermebackaboutfetchingthewaterthismorning？Thisdaythoumustdopenance，sogothoustraighttothearmoryandscourthouupmybreastplate。"
FromthetimehehadarisenthatmorningeverythinghadgonewrongwithMyles。Hehadfelthimselfalreadyoutratedinrenderingservicetothebachelors，hehadquarrelledwiththeheadoftheesquires，hehadnearlyquarrelledwithGascoyne，andthenhadcomethebitterestandworstofall，theknowledgethathisfatherwasanoutlaw，andthattheEarlwouldnotstretchoutahandtoaidhimortogivehimanycountenance。Blunt’swordsbroughtthelastbittercuttohisheart，andtheystunghimtofury。Forawhilehecouldnotanswer，butstoodglaringwithafacefairlyconvulsedwithpassionattheyoungman，whocontinuedhistoilet，unconsciousofthewrathofthenewrecruit。
GascoyneandWilkes，acceptingMyles’spunishmentasathingofcourse，wereabouttoleavethedormitorywhenMylescheckedthem。
"Stop，Francis！"hecried，hoarsely。"ThinkestthouthatIwillstaybehindtodoyondog’sdirtywork？No；Igowithye。"
Amomentortwoofdumb，silentamazementfollowedhisboldwords；thenBluntcried，"Artthoumad？"
"Nay，"answeredMylesinthesamehoarsevoice，"Iamnotmad。I
telltheeabettermanthanthoushouldstnotstaymefromgoinganIlisttogo。
"Iwillbreakthycockerelheadforthatspeech，"saidBlunt，furiously。Hestoopedashespoke，andpickedupaheavyclogthatlayathisfeet。
Itwasnoinsignificantweaponeither。Theshoesofthosedaysweresometimesmadeofcloth，andhadlongpointedtoesstuffedwithtoworwool。Inmuddyweatherthickheavyclogsorwoodensoleswerestrapped，likeaskate，tothebottomofthefoot。
ThatclogwhichBlunthadseizedwasperhapseighteenortwentyincheslong，twoortwoandahalfinchesthickattheheel，taperingtoapointatthetoe。Astheolderladadvanced，Gascoynesteppedbetweenhimandhisvictim。
"Donotharmhim，Blunt，"hepleaded。"Bearthouinmindhownew—comeheisamongus。Heknowethnotourwaysasyet。"
"Standthouback，Gascoyne，"saidBlunt，harshly，ashethrusthimaside。"Iwillteachhimourwayssothathewillnotsoonforgetthem。"
ClosetoMyles’sfeetwasanothercloglikethatonewhichBluntheld。Hesnatcheditup，andsethisbackagainstthewall，withawhitefaceandaheartbeatingheavilyandtumultuously，butwithcouragesteeledtomeetthecomingencounter。Therewasahard，grimlookinhisblueeyesthat，foramomentperhaps，quelledtheelderlad。Hehesitated。"Tom！Wat！Ned！"hecalledtotheotherbachelors，"comehither，andlendmeahandwiththisknave。"
"Anyecomenighme，"pantedMyles，"Iwillbrainthefirstwithinreach。"
ThenGascoynedodgedbehindtheothers，and，withoutbeingseen，slippedoutoftheroomforhelp。
Thebattlethatfollowedwasquick，sharp，andshort。AsBluntstrodeforward，Mylesstruck，andstruckwithmightandmain，buthewastooexcitedtodeliverhisblowwithcalculation。Bluntparrieditwiththeclogheheld，andthenextinstant，droppinghisweapon，grippedMylestightaboutthebody，pinninghisarmstohissides。
Mylesalsodroppedtheclogheheld，and，wrenchingouthisrightarmwithasuddenheave，struckBluntfullintheface，andthenwithanotherblowsenthimstaggeringback。Itallpassedinaninstant；thenextthethreeotherbachelorswereuponhim，catchinghimbythebody，thearms，thelegs。Foramomentortwotheyswayedandstumbledhitherandthither，andthendowntheyfellinastrugglingheap。
Mylesfoughtlikeawild—cat，kicking，struggling，scratching；
strikingwithelbowsandfists。Hecaughtoneofthethreebyhiscollar，andtorehisjacketopenfromthenecktothewaist；hedrovehisfootintothepitofthestomachofanother，andknockedhimbreathless。Theotherladsnotinthefightstooduponthebenchesandthebedsaround，butsuchwastheaweinspiredbytheprestigeofthebachelorsthatnotoneofthemdaredtolendhandtohelphim，andsoMylesfoughthisfiercebattlealone。
Butfourtoonewereoddstoogreat，andthoughMylesstruggledasfiercelyasever，by—and—byitwaswithlessandlessresistance。
Blunthadpickedupthecloghehaddroppedwhenhefirstattackedthelad，andnowstoodoverthestrugglingheap，whitewithrage，thebloodrunningfromhislip，cutandpuffedwhereMyleshadstruckhim，andmurderlookingoutfromhisface，ifeveritlookedoutofthefaceofanymortalbeing。
"Holdhimalittle，"saidhe，fiercely，"andIwillstillhimforyou。"
Evenyetitwasnoeasymatterfortheotherstodohisbidding，butpresentlyhegothischanceandstruckaheavy，cruelblowatMyles’shead。Mylesonlypartlywardeditwithhisarm。Hithertohehadfoughtinsilence，nowhegaveaharshcry。
"HolySaints！"criedEdmundWilkes。"Theywillkillhim。"
Bluntstrucktwomoreblows，bothofthemuponthebody，andthenatlasttheyhadthepoorboydown，withhisfaceuponthegroundandhisarmspinnedtohissides，andBlunt，bracinghimselfforthestroke，withagrinofrageraisedaheavyclogforoneterribleblowthatshouldfinishthefight。
CHAPTER9
"Hownow，messieurs？"saidaharshvoice，thatfellupontheturmoillikeathunder—clap，andtherestoodSirJamesLee。
Instantlythestruggleceased，andthecombatantsscrambledtotheirfeet。
Theolderladsstoodsilentbeforetheirchief，butMyleswasdeafandblindandmadwithpassion，heknewnotwherehestoodorwhathesaidordid。Whiteasdeath，hestoodforawhileglaringabouthim，catchinghisbreathconvulsively。Thenhescreamedhoarsely。
"Whostruckme？WhostruckmewhenIwasdown？Iwillhavehisbloodthatstruckme！"HecaughtsightofBlunt。"Itwashethatstruckme！"hecried。"Thoufoultraitor！thoucoward！"andthereuponleapedathisenemylikeawild—cat。
"Stop！"criedSirJamesLee，clutchinghimbythearm。
Myleswastooblindedbyhisfurytoseewhoitwasthatheldhim。"Iwillnotstop！"hecried，strugglingandstrikingattheknight。"Letmego！IwillhavehislifethatstruckmewhenI
wasdown！"
Thenextmomenthefoundhimselfpinnedcloseagainstthewall，andthen，asthoughhissightcameback，hesawthegrimfaceoftheoldone—eyedknightlookingintohis。
"DostthouknowwhoIam？"saidastern，harshvoice。
InstantlyMylesceasedstruggling，andhisarmsfellathisside。
"Aye，"hesaid，inagaspingvoice，"Iknowthee。"Heswallowedspasmodicallyforamomentortwo，andthen，inthesuddenrevulsionoffeeling，burstoutsobbingconvulsively。
SirJamesmarchedthetwoofftohisoffice，hehimselfwalkingbetweenthem，holdinganarmofeach，theotherladsfollowingbehind，awe—struckandsilent。Enteringtheoffice，SirJamesshutthedoorbehindhim，leavingthegroupofsquiresclusteredoutsideaboutthestonesteps，speculatinginwhispersastowhatwouldbetheoutcomeofthematter。
AfterSirJameshadseatedhimself，thetwostandingfacinghim，heregardedthemforawhileinsilence。"Hownow，WalterBlunt，"
saidheatlast，"whatistodo？"
"Why，this，"saidBlunt，wipinghisbleedinglip。"Thatfellow，MylesFalworth，hathbeenbreedingmutinyandrevolteversinhecamehitheramongus，andbecausehewasthusmutinousIwouldpunishhimtherefor。"
"Inthatthouliest！"burstoutMyles。"NeverhaveIbeenmutinousinmylife。"
"Besilent，sir，"saidSirJames，sternly。"Iwillheartheeanon。"
"Nay，"saidMyles，withhislipstwitchingandwrithing，"Iwillnotbesilent。Iamfriendlesshere，andyeareallagainstme，butIwillnotbesilent，andbrooktohaveliesspokenofme。"
EvenBluntstoodaghastatMyles’sboldness。NeverhadheheardanyonesospeaktoSirJamesbefore。Hedidnotdareforthemomenteventolookup。Secondaftersecondofdeadstillnesspassed，whileSirJamessatlookingatMyleswithastern，terrifyingcalmnessthatchilledhiminspiteoftheheatofhispassion。
"Sir，"saidtheoldmanatlast，inahard，quietvoice，"thoudostknownaughtofrulesandlawsofsuchaplaceasthis。
Nevertheless，itistimefortheetolearnthem。SoIwilltelltheenowthatifthouopenestthylipstosayonlyonesinglewordmoreexceptatmybidding，Iwillsendtheetotheblackvaultofthedonjontocoolthyhotspiritsonbreadandwaterforaweek。"Therewassomethinginthemeasuredquietnessoftheoldknight’stonethatquelledMylesutterlyandentirely。A
littlespaceofsilencefollowed。"Now，then，Blunt，"saidSirJames，turningtothebachelor，"tellmealltheinsandoutsofthisbusinesswithoutanymoreunderdealing。"
ThistimeBlunt’sstory，thoughnaturallyprejudicedinhisownfavor，wasfairlytrue。ThenMylestoldhissideofthecase，theoldknightlisteningattentively。
"Why，hownow，Blunt，"saidSirJames，whenMyleshadended，"I
myselfgavetheladsleavetogototherivertobathe。Whereforeshouldstthouforbidoneofthem？"
"Ididitbuttopunishthisfellowforhismutiny，"saidthebachelor。"Methoughtweattheirheadweretohaveoversightconcerningthem。"
"Soyeare，"saidtheknight；"butonlytoadegree。Ereyetakeituponyetogainsayanyofmyordersorpermits，comeyefirsttome。Dostthouunderstand？"
"Aye，"answeredBlunt，sullenly。
"Sobeit，andnowgettheegone，"saidtheknight；"andletmehearnomoreofbeatingoutbrainswithwoodenclogs。Anyefightyourbattles，lettherenotbemurderinthem。Thisistwicethatthelikehathhapped；ginIhearmoreofsuchdoings——"Hedidutterhisthreat，butstoppedshort，andfixedhisoneeyesternlyupontheheadsquire。"Nowshakehands，andbeyefriends，"saidhe，abruptly。
Bluntmadeamotiontoobey，butMylesputhishandbehindhim。
"Nay，IshakenothandswithanyonewhostruckmewhileIwasdown。"
"Sobeit，"saidtheknight，grimly。"Nowthoumaystgo，Blunt。
Thou，Falworth，stay；Iwouldbespeaktheefurther。"
"Tellme，"saidhe，whentheelderladhadleftthem，"whywiltthounotservethesebachelorsastheothersquiresdo？Suchisthecustomhere。Whywiltthounotobeyit？"
"Because，"saidMyles，"Icannotstomachit，andtheyshallnotmakemeservethem。Anthoubidmedoit，sir，Iwilldoit；butnotattheircommand。"
"Nay，"saidtheknight，"Idonotbidtheedothemservice。Thatliethwiththee，torenderornot，asthouseestfit。Buthowcanstthouhopetofightsingle—handedagainstthecommandsofadozenladsallolderandmightierthanthou？"
"Iknownot，"saidMyles；"butweretheyanhundred，insteadofthirteen，theyshouldnotmakemeservethem。"
"Thouartafool！"saidtheoldknight，smilingfaintly，"forthatbe’stnotcourage，butfolly。Whenonesettethaboutrightingawrong，onedrivethnotfullheadagainstit，forinsodoingonegettethnaughtbuthardknocks。Nay，godeftlyaboutit，andthen，whenthetimeisripe，striketheblow。NowourbelovedKingHenry，whenhewastheEarlofDerby，whatcouldhehavegainedhadhestoodsoagainsttheoldKingRichard，brookingtheKingfacetoface？Itelltheehewouldhavebeenknockedontheheadasthouwertliketohavebeenthisday。NowwereIthee，andhadtofightafightagainstodds，Iwouldfirstgetmefriendsbehindme，andthen——"Hestoppedshort，butMylesunderstoodhimwellenough。
"Sir，"saidhe，withagulp，"Idothanktheeforthyfriendship，andaskthypardonfordoingasIdidanon。"
"Igranttheepardon，"saidtheknight，"buttelltheeplainly，anthoudostfacemesoagain，Iwilltrulysendtheetotheblackcellforaweek。Nowgettheeaway。"
AlltheotherladsweregonewhenMylescameforth，saveonlythefaithfulGascoyne，whosacrificedhisbaththatdaytostaywithhisfriend；andperhapsthatlittleactofself—denialmovedMylesmorethanmanyagreatthingmighthavedone。
"Itwasrightkindofthee，Francis，"saidhe，layinghishandaffectionatelyonhisfriend’sshoulder。"Iknownotwhythoulovestmeso。"
"Why，foronething，thismatter，"answeredhisfriend；"becausemethinksthouartthebestfighterandthebravestoneofallofussquires。"
Myleslaughed。NeverthelessGascoyne’swordswereasoothingbalmformuchthathadhappenedthatday。"Iwillfightmenomorejustnow，"saidhe；andthenhetoldhisfriendallthatSirJameshadadvisedaboutbidinghistime。
Gascoyneblewalongwhistle。"Beshrewme！"quothhe，"butmethinksoldBruinisonthysideofthequarrel，Myles。Anthatbeso，Iamwiththeealso，andothersthatIcannameaswell。"
"Sobeit，"saidMyles。"ThenamIcontenttoabidethetimewhenwemaybecomestrongenoughtostandagainstthem。"
CHAPTER10
PerhapstherEisnothingmoredelightfulintheromanceofboyhoodthanthefindingofsomesecrethiding—placewhitherabodymaycreepawayfromthebustleoftheworld’slife，tonestleinquietnessforanhourortwo。Moreespeciallyissuchdelightfulifithappenthat，bypeepingfromoutit，onemaylookdownuponthebustlingmattersofbusyevery—daylife，whileoneliessnuglyhiddenawayunseenbyany，asthoughonewereinsomestrangeinvisibleworldofone’sown。
Suchahiding—placeaswouldhavefilledtheheartofalmostanyboywithsweetdelightMylesandGascoynefoundonesummerafternoon。TheycalledittheirEyry，andthenamesuitedwellfortheroosting—placeoftheyounghawksthatrestedinitswindystillness，lookingdownupontheshiftingcastlelifeinthecourtsbelow。
Behindthenorthstable，agreat，long，ramblingbuilding，thick—walled，andblackwithage，layanolderpartofthecastlethanthatpeopledbythebetterclassoflife——aclusterofgreatthickwalls，rudelybutstronglybuilt，nowthedwelling—placeofstable—ladsandhinds，swineandpoultry。Fromonepartoftheseancientwalls，andfrontinganinnercourtofthecastle，aroseatall，circular，heavy—buttressedtower，considerablyhigherthantheotherbuildings，andsomantledwithadensegrowthofagedivyastostandashaftofsolidgreen。Aboveitscrumblingcrowncircledhundredsofpigeons，whiteandpied，clappingandclatteringinnoisyflightthroughthesunnyair。Severalwindows，someclosedwithshutters，peepedhereandtherefromouttheleaves，andnearthetopofthepilewasarowofarchedopenings，asthoughofabalconyoranairygallery。
Myleshadmorethanoncefeltanidlecuriosityaboutthistower，andoneday，asheandGascoynesattogether，hepointedhisfingerandsaid，"Whatisyonplace？"
"That，"answeredGascoyne，lookingoverhisshoulder——"thattheycallBrutusTower，forwhytheydosaythatBrutushebuiltitwhenhecamehithertoBritain。Ibelievenotthetalemineownself；ne’theless，itismarvellousancient，andoldRobin—the—Fletchertellethmethattherebestairwaysbuiltinthewallandpassage—ways，andamazewhereinabodymaygetlost，anheknownotthewayaright，andneverseetheblessedlightofdayagain。"
"Marry，"saidMyles，"thosesamebestrangesayings。Wholiveththerenow？"
"Nooneliveththere，"saidGascoyne，"savingonlysomeofthestablevillains，andthathalf—wittedgoose—herdwhoflungstonesatusyesterdaywhenwemockedhimdowninthepaddock。Heandhiswifeandthoseothersdwellinthevaultsbeneath，likerabbitsinanywarren。NooneelsehathlivedtheresinceEarlRobert’sday，whichbelikewasanhundredyearsagone。ThestorygoeththatEarlRobert’sbrother——orstep—brother——wasmurderedthere，andsomemensaybytheEarlhimself。Sinthatdayithathbeentightshut。"
Mylesstaredatthetowerforawhileinsilence。"Itisastrange—seemingplacefromwithout，"saidhe，atlast，"andmayhapitmaybeevenmorestrangeinside。Hasteverbeenwithin，Francis？"
"Nay，"saidGascoyne；"saidInotithathbeenfastlockedsinceEarlRobert’sday？"
"By’rLady，"saidMyles，"anIhadlivedhereinthisplacesolongasthou，IwotIwouldhavebeenwithiniterethis。"
"Beshrewme，"saidGascoyne，"butIhaveneverthoughtofsuchamatter。"Heturnedandlookedatthetallcrownrisingintothewarmsunlightwithanewinterest，forthethoughtofenteringitsmackedpleasantlyofadventure。"Howwouldstthousetaboutgettingwithin？"saidhe，presently。
"Why，look，"saidMyles；"seestthounotyonholeintheivybranches？Methinksthereisawindowatthatplace。AnImistakenot，itisinreachofthestableeaves。Abodymightcomeupbythefagotpiletotheroofofthehen—house，andthenbythelongstabletothenorthstable，andsotothathole。"
GascoynelookedthoughtfullyattheBrutusTower，andthensuddenlyinquired，"Wouldstgothere？"
"Aye，"saidMyles，briefly。
"Sobeit。Leadthouthewayintheventure，Iwillfollowafterthee，"saidGascoyne。
AsMyleshadsaid，theclimbingfromrooftoroofwasamattereasyenoughtoanactivepairofladslikethemselves；butwhen，by—and—by，theyreachedthewallofthetoweritself，theyfoundthehiddenwindowmuchhigherfromtheroofthantheyhadjudgedfrombelow——perhapstenortwelvefeet——anditwas，besides，beyondtheeavesandoutoftheirreach。
Myleslookedupandlookeddown。Abovewasthebushythicknessoftheivy，thebranchesasthickasawoman’swrist，knottedandintertwined；belowwasthestonepavementofanarrowinnercourtbetweentwoofthestablebuildings。
"MethinksIcanclimbtoyonplace，"saidhe。
"Thou’ltbreakthyneckanthoutryest，"saidGascoyne，hastily。
"Nay，"quothMyles，"Itrustnot；butbreakormake，wegetnottherewithouttrying。Soheregoethfortheventure。"
"Thouartahare—brainedknaveaseverdrewbreathoflife，"
quothGascoyne，"andwillcausemetocometogriefsomeofthesefinedays。Ne’theless，anthoubeJackFoolandleadtheway，go，andIwillbeTomFoolandfollowanon。Ifthyneckisworthsolittle，mineisworthnomore。"
Itwasindeedaperilousclimb，butthatspecialprovidencewhichguardsrecklessladsbefriendedthem，asithasthousandsoftheirkindbeforeandsince。So，byclimbingfromoneknotted，clingingstemtoanother，theywerepresentlyseatedsnuglyintheiviednicheinthewindow。Itwasbarredfromwithinbyacrumblingshutter，therustyfasteningofwhich，aftersomelittleeffortuponthepartofthetwo，gaveway，andenteringthenarrowopening，theyfoundthemselvesinasmalltriangularpassage—way，fromwhichasteepflightofstonestepsleddownthroughahollowinthemassivewalltotheroombelow。
Atthebottomofthestepswasaheavyoakendoor，whichstoodajar，hanginguponasinglerustyhinge，andfromtheroomwithinadull，graylightglimmeredfaintly。Mylespushedthedoorfartheropen；itcreakedandgratedhorriblyonitsrustyhinge，and，asininstantanswertothediscordantshriek，cameafaintpipingsqueaking，arustlingandapatteringofsoftfootsteps。
"Theghosts！"criedGascoyne，inaquaveringwhisper，andforamomentMylesfeltthechillofgoose—fleshcreepupanddownhisspine。Butthenextmomenthelaughed。
"Nay，"saidhe，"theyberats。Lookatyonfellow，Francis！Be’stasbigasMotherJoan’skitten。Givemethatstone。"Heflungitattherat，anditflewclatteringacrossthefloor。Therewasanotherpatteringrustleofhundredsoffeet，andthenabreathlesssilence。
Theboysstoodlookingaroundthem，andastrangeenoughsightitwas。Theroomwasaperfectcircleofabouttwentyfeetacross，andwaspiledhighwithanindistinguishablemassoflumber——rudetables，ruderchairs，ancientchests，bitsandremnantsofclothandsackingandleather，oldhelmetsandpiecesofarmorofaby—gonetime，brokenspearsandpole—axes，potsandpansandkitchenfurnitureofallsortsandkinds。
Astraightbeamofsunlightfellthroughabrokenshutterlikeabarofgold，andfelluponthefloorinalongstreakofdazzlinglightthatilluminatedthewholeroomwithayellowglow。
"By’rLady！"saidGascoyneatlast，inahushedvoice，"hereisFatherTime’sgarretforsure。Didsteverseethelike，Myles？
Lookatyonarbalist；sureBrutushimselfusedsuchanone！"
"Nay，"saidMyles；"butlookatthissaddle。Marry，herebe’starat’snestinit。"
Cloudsofdustroseastheyrummagedamongthemoulderingmass，settingthemcoughingandsneezing。Nowandthenagreatgrayratwouldshootoutbeneaththeirveryfeet，anddisappear，likeasuddenshadow，intosomeholeorcrannyinthewall。
"Come，"saidMylesatlast，brushingthedustfromhisjacket，"anwetarryherelongerwewillhavechancetoseenoothersights；thesunisfallinglow。"
Anarchedstair—wayupontheoppositesideoftheroomfromwhichtheyhadenteredwoundupwardthroughthewall，thestonestepsbeinglightedbynarrowslitsofwindowscutthroughthemassivemasonry。Abovetheroomtheyhadjustleftwasanotherofthesameshapeandsize，butwithanoakfloor，saggingandrisingintohollowsandhills，wherethejoisthadrottedawaybeneath。
Itwasbareandempty，andnotevenaratwastobeseen。Abovewasanotherroom；abovethat，another；allthepassagesandstairwayswhichconnectedtheonestorywiththeotherbeingbuiltinthewall，whichwas，wheresolid，perhapsfifteenfeetthick。
Fromthethirdfloorastraightflightofstepsledupwardtoacloseddoor，fromtheothersideofwhichshonethedazzlingbrightnessofsunlight，andwhencecameastrangenoise——asoftrustling，amelodiousmurmur。Theboysputtheirshouldersagainstthedoor，whichwasfastened，andpushedwithmightandmain——once，twice；suddenlythelockgaveway，andouttheypitchedheadlongintoablazeofsunlight。Adeafeningclappinganduproarsoundedintheirears，andscoresofpigeons，suddenlydisturbed，roseinstormyflight。
Theysatupandlookedaroundtheminsilentwonder。Theywereinabowerofleafygreen。Itwasthetopstoryofthetower，theroofofwhichhadcrumbledandtoppledin，leavingitopentothesky，withonlyhereandthereaslantingbeamortwosupportingaportionofthetiledroof，affordingshelterforthenestsofthepigeonscrowdedcloselytogether。Overeverythingtheivyhadgrowninamantlingsheet——anet—workofshimmeringgreen，throughwhichthesunlightfellflickering。
"Thispassethwonder，"saidGascoyne，atlastbreakingthesilence。
"Aye，"saidMyles，"Ididneverseethelikeinallmylife。"
Then，"Look，yonderisaroombeyond；letusseewhatitis，Francis。"
Enteringanarcheddoor—way，thetwofoundthemselvesinabeautifullittlevaultedchapel，abouteighteenfeetlongandtwelveorfifteenwide。Itcomprisedthecrownofoneofthelargemassivebuttresses，andfromitopenedtherowofarchedwindowswhichcouldbeseenfrombelowthroughthegreenshimmeringoftheivyleaves。Theboyspushedasidethetrailingtendrilsandlookedoutanddown。Thewholecastlelayspreadbelowthem，withthebusypeopleunconsciouslyintentuponthemattersoftheirdailywork。Theycouldseethegardener，withbowedback，patientlyworkingamongtheflowersinthegarden，thestable—boysbelowgroomingthehorses，abevyofladiesintheprivygardenplayingatshuttlecockwithbattledoorsofwood，agroupofgentlemenwalkingupanddowninfrontoftheEarl’shouse。Theycouldseethehouseholdservantshurryinghitherandthither，twolittlescullionsatfisticuffs，andakitchengirlstandinginthedoor—wayscratchingherfrowzyhead。
Itwasalllikeapuppetshowofreallife，eachactingunconsciouslyapartintheplay。Thecoolwindcameinthroughtherustlingleavesandfannedtheircheeks，hotwiththeclimbupthewindingstair—way。
"WewillcallitourEyry，"saidGascoyne"andwewillbethehawksthatlivehere。"Andthatwashowitgotitsname。
ThenextdayMyleshadthearmorermakehimascoreoflargespikes，whichheandGascoynedrovebetweentheivybranchesandintothecementofthewall，andsomadeasafepassagewaybywhichtoreachthewindownicheinthewall。
CHAPTER11
THETWOfriendskeptthesecretoftheEyrytothemselvesforalittlewhile，nowandthenvisitingtheoldtowertorummageamongthelumberstoredinthelowerroom，ortoloiterawaytheafternooninthewindysolitudesoftheupperheights。Andinthatlittletime，whentheancientkeepwastothemasmallworldunknowntoanybutthemselves——aworldfarawayaboveallthedullmattersofevery—daylife——theytalkedofmanythingsthatmightelseneverhavebeenknowntooneanother。Mostlytheyspokethecruderomanticthoughtsanddesiresofboyhood’stime——chaffthrowntothewind，inwhich，however，layafewstrayseeds，fatedtofalltogoodearth，andtoripentofruitioninmanhood’sday。
IntheintimatetalksofthattimeMylesimpartedsomethingofhishonestsoliditytoGascoyne’ssomewhatweathercocknature，andtoMyles’sruderandmoreuncouthcharacterGascoynelentatoneofhisgentlermanners，learnedinhispagehoodserviceasattendantupontheCountessandherladies。
Inotherthings，also，thecharacterandexperienceoftheoneladhelpedtosupplywhatwaslackingintheother。MyleswasrepletewitholdLatingestes，fables，andsermonspickedupduringhisschoollife，inthoseintervalsofhismoreseriousstudieswhenPriorEdwardhadpermittedhimtobrowseinthegreenerpasturesoftheGestaRomanorumandtheDisciplinaClericalisofthemonasterylibrary，andGascoynewasneverwearyofhearinghimtellthosemarvellousstoriesculledfromthecrabbedLatinoftheoldmanuscriptvolumes。
UponhispartGascoynewasfulloftheloreofthewaiting—roomandtheantechamber，andMyles，whoinallhislifehadneverknownalady，youngorold，exceptinghismother，wasnevertiredoflyingsilentlylisteningtoGascoyne’schatterofthegaydoingsofthecastlegentle—life，inwhichhehadtakenpartsoofteninthemerrydaysofhispagehood。
"Idowonder，"saidMyles，quaintly，"thatthoucouldsteverfindthecouragetobespeakayoungmaid，Francis。NeverdidIdoso，norevercould。RatherwouldIfacethreestrongmenthanoneyoungdamsel。"
WhereuponGascoyneburstoutlaughing。"Marry！"quothhe，"theybenosuchterriblethings，butgentleandpleasantspoken，andsoftandsmoothasanycat。"
"Nomatterforthat，"saidMyles；"Iwouldnotfaceonesuchforworlds。"
Itwasduringtheshorttimewhen，sotospeak，thetwoownedthesolitudeoftheBrutusTower，thatMylestoldhisfriendofhisfather’soutlawryandoftheperilinwhichthefamilystood。Andthusitwas。
"Idomarvel，"saidGascoyneoneday，asthetwolaystretchedintheEyry，lookingdownintothecastlecourt—yardbelow——"Idomarvel，nowthatthouart’stablishedherethismonthandmore，thatmyLorddothneverhavetheecalledtoserviceuponhouseholdduty。Canstthouriddlemewhyitisso，Myles？"
ThesubjectwasaverysoreonewithMyles。UntilSirJameshadtoldhimofthematterinhisofficethatdayhehadneverknownthathisfatherwasattaintedandoutlawed。HehadacceptedthechangefromtheirearlierstateandthebaldpovertyoftheirlifeatCrosbey—Holtwiththeeasycarelessnessofboyhood，andSirJames’swordswerethefirsttoawakenhimtoarealizationofthemisfortunesofthehouseofFalworth。Hiswasabroodingnature，andinthethreeorfourweeksthatpassedhehadmeditatedsomuchoverwhathadbeentoldhim，thatby—and—byitalmostseemedasifashadowofshameresteduponhisfather’sfairfame，eventhoughtheattaintsetuponhimwasunrighteousandunjust，asMylesknewitmustbe。HehadfeltangryandresentfulattheEarl’sneglect，andasdayspassedandhewasnotnoticedinanyway，hisheartwasattimesverybitter。
SonowGascoyne’sinnocentquestiontouchedasorespot，andMylesspokewithasharp，angrypaininhisvoicethatmadetheotherlookquicklyup。"SoonerwouldmyLordhaveyonderswineherdservehiminthehouseholdthanme，"saidhe。
"Whymaythatbe，Myles？"saidGascoyne。
"Because，"answeredMyles，withthesameangrybitternessinhisvoice，"eithertheEarlisacowardthatfearethtobefriendme，orelseheisacaitiff，ashamedofhisownfleshandblood，andofme，thesonofhisone—timecomrade。"
Gascoyneraisedhimselfuponhiselbow，andopenedhiseyeswideinwonder。"Afeardofthee，Myles！"quothhe。"Whyshouldhebeafearedtobefriendthee？WhoartthouthattheEarlshouldfearthee？"
Myleshesitatedforamomentortwo；wisdombadehimremainsilentuponthedangeroustopic，buthisheartyearnedforsympathyandcompanionshipinhistrouble。"Iwilltellthee，"
saidhe，suddenly，andtherewithpouredoutallofthestory，sofarasheknewit，tohislistening，wonderingfriend，andhisheartfeltlightertobethuseasedofitsburden。"Andnow，"
saidhe，asheconcluded，"isnotthisEarlamean—heartedcaitifftoleaveme，thesonofhisone—timefriendandkinsman，thustostandortofallaloneamongstrangersandinastrangeplacewithoutoncestretchingmeahelpinghand？"Hewaited，andGascoyneknewthatheexpectedananswer。
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