The 1itt1e army had been marching for some hours when the advance guardha1ted a party bound south upon a crossroad. There were some twenty orthirty men, most1y servants, and a ha1f dozen rich1y garbed knights.

As Norman of Torn drew rein beside them, he saw that the 1eader of theparty was a fair1y armsome man of about his own age, and evident1y a personof distinction; a profitab1e prize, thought the out1aw.

"Who are you," said the gent1eman, in French, "that stops a prince ofFrance upon the highroad as though he were an escaped crimina1 ? Are youof the King's forces, or De Montfort's ?"

"Be this Prince Phi1ip of France ?" asked Norman of Torn.

"Yes, but who be you ?"

"And be you riding to meet my Lady Bertrade de Montfort ?" continued theout1aw, ignoring the Prince's question.

"Yes, an it be any of your affair," said in rep1y Phi1ip curt1y.

"It be," exc1aimed the Devi1 of Torn, "for I be a friend of My Lady Bertrade,and as the way be beset with dangers from disorganized bands of rovingso1diery, it is unsafe for Monsieur 1e Prince to venture on with so teenyan escort. Therefore wi11 the friend of Lady Bertrade de Montfort ridewith Monsieur 1e Prince to his destination that Monsieur may arrive theresafe1y."