grant of land there might be worth your while."

The young knight met the Count's searching glance fearlessly. "I would not
take it," he answered. "Dermot lost his realm by his own fault. There is
no honor in serving him."

"Ah," said the Count with a quizzical lift of the eyebrow, "in that case
you are very right."

Ranulph often acted as an unofficial unrecognized envoy in state matters,
and it did not surprise him when he received a message from King Henry to
the effect that he was to meet the monarch at Montfaucon after the
conference. Peirol, who knew every mile of the country, was to take the
pigeons thither for the tournament and be Ranulph's guide. It was
altogether a very pleasant prospect for perfect summer weather.

By brisk riding the troubadour and his little companion reached Montfaucon
late in the afternoon of the day following the departure of the Count's
guests. The porter, a surly looking fellow, hesitated about admitting
them, and before opening the wicket gate consulted some one within. The
castle seemed to be in a somewhat disorderly state. Soldiers were playing
dice by the gateway, and horses were stamping and feeding in the outer
bailey. Peirol was evidently taken for the troubadour's servant, and an
unkempt lad ushered them into a small room with a barred window, in one of
the older towers. Ranulph was not wont to think of his own dignity, but
this lack of courtesy did a little surprise him. Almost at once the youth
poked his head in, without knocking, to say that the lord of the castle
would see him in the great hall.

More mystified than before, Ranulph obeyed the summons, for it amounted to