Quickly, the wiry figure hastened through the passageways and corridors,until he came to the great hall where sat De Montfort and the King, withPhilip of France and many others, gentlemen and nobles.

Before the guard at the door could halt him, he had broken into the roomand, addressing the King, cried:

"Wouldst take the Devil of Torn, My Lord King ? He be now alone where afew men may seize him."

"What now ! What now !" ejaculated Henry. "What madman be this ?"

"I be no madman, Your Majesty. Never did mind work more clearly or tomore certain ends," said in reply the man.

"It may doubtless be some ruse of the cut-throat himself," cried DeMontfort.

"Where be the knave ?" asked Henry.

"He stands now within this palace and inside his arms be Bertrade, daughter ofMy Lord Earl of Leicester. Even now she did but tell him that she lovedhim."