When they met again in the workshop the armourer said: "Clean yourself up
after breakfast, Walter, and put on your best clothes. I will go with you
before the mayor, and then you shall tell him your story. There is sure to
be a stir about it before the day is done. As we walk thither we can settle
how much of your story it is good to tell."

On their way over the bridge Geoffrey told Walter that he thought he had
better tell the whole story exactly as it had occurred, concealing only the
fact that he had recognized the knight's face. "You had best too," he said,
"mention nought about the white cloak. If we can catch the man of the hut
in the swamp, likely enough the rack will wring from him the name of his
employer, and in that case, if you are brought up as a witness against him
you will of course say that you recognize his face; but 'tis better that
the accusation should not come from you. No great weight would be given to
the word of a 'prentice boy as against that of a noble. It is as bad for
earthen pots to knock against brass ones, as it is for a yeoman in a
leathern jerkin to stand up against a knight in full armour.

"But unless the lady knows her enemy she may fall again into his snares.

"I have thought of that," Geoffrey said, "and we will take measures to
prevent it."

"But how can we prevent it?" Walter asked, surprised.

"We must find out who this knight may be, which should, methinks, not be
difficult. Then we will send to him a message that his share in this
night's work is known to several, and that if any harm should ever again be
attempted against the lady or her daughter, he shall be denounced before