"The connetable exclaimed it was cheaper to let the chevalier go free than tofeed him in the Vier Prison," dryly explained Ranulph, helping himself toroasted conger eel and eyeing hungrily the freshly-made black cheeseGuida was taking from a wooden trencher. "The Royal Court is stingy," headded. "'It's nearer than Jean Noe, who got married inside his whitequeminzolle,' as we say on Jersey--"

But he got no further at the moment, for shots rang out suddenly beforethe house. They all started to their feet, and Ranulph, running to thefront door, threw it open. As he did so a young man, with blood flowingfrom a cut on the temple, stepped inside.