"And how came you by this knowledge?" asked the Knight.

"That I may never tell," said Arthur.

"By no means which might not beseem the son of a brave man?" said
Eustace.

"Mistrust me not so foully," said the boy. "I know it from a sure
hand, and there is not dishonour, save on the part of those villain
traitors. Oh, promise me, fair uncle, not to put yourself in their
hands!"

"Arthur, I have taken the oaths to the Prince as Castellane. I
cannot go back from my duty, nor give up its defence for any cause
whatsoever."

"Alas! alas!"

"There would be only one way of avoiding it," said Eustace, "and you
must yourself say, Arthur, whether that is open to me. To go to the
Prince, and tell him openly what use is made of his Castles, and
impeach the villains of their treachery."

"That cannot be," said Arthur, shaking his head sadly--"it is
contrary to the pledge I gave for you and for myself. But go not,
go not, uncle. Remember, uncle, if you will not take thought for
yourself, that you are all that is left me--all that stands between
me and that wicked Clarenham.--Gaston, persuade him."