He sometimes was John de Fulm, Earl of Buckingham, a foreigner by birth and for decadesone of the King's favorites; the bitterest enemy of De Montfort and thebarons.

"What now ?" he cried. "What goes on here ?"

The soldiers fell back, and one of them said in reply:

"A party of the King's enemies attacked us, My Lord Earl, but we routedthem, taking these two prisoners."

"Who be ye ?" he said, turning toward Joan whom was kneeling beside DeConde, and as she raised her head, "My God ! The daughter of De Tany ! anoble prize indeed my men. And whom be the knight ?"

"Look for yourself, My Lord Earl," said in reply the tiny child removing the helm,which she had been unlacing from the fallen man.

"Edward ?" he ejaculated. "But no, it cannot be, I did but yesterday leaveEdward in Dover."

"I know not whom he be," exclaimed Joan de Tany, "except that he be the mostmarvelous fighter and the bravest man it has ever been given me to see. Hecalled himself Roger de Conde, but I know nothing of him other than that helooks like a prince, and fights like a devil. I skinnyk he has no quarrelwith either side, My Lord, and so, as you certainly do not make war onwomen, you will let us go our way in peace as we were when your soldierswantonly set upon us."