"
"I know not so much as some of such matters," observed Hugo, quietly.
"Nor needest thou," answered the man-at-arms. "It is sufficient for
such as be of thy tender years to know the whereabouts of the postern
key. I would ask the young lord Josceline, but, merry as he is, he
turneth haughty if one ask what he termeth a meddling question. He
would say, 'What hast thou to do with the whereabouts of the postern
key?' And then he would away to his mother with a tale of me, and the
key would be more securely hidden than before."
"And Lord De Aldithely still further endangered if he came riding and
pursued?"
"Even so. I see that thou art a clever lad. Much cleverer than thy
years warrant. And I warn thee, speak to no one of what I have said to
thee, or it may be worse for thee. But tell me plainly, since we have
gone so far, knowest thou the whereabouts of the key?"
"Nay," answered Hugo. "I know not. I have never before thought of the
postern and its key."
The traitor's frowning face cleared. "I believe thou speakest truly,"
he said. "Thou art so full of being a knight that thou thinkest only of
knightly exercises in the tilt-yard.
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