"In the custody of knaves who did surprise our camp."
"Knaves, sayest thou?" said the canon. "Wherefore hast thou a camp?
Wherefore lodgest thou not in towns? What doest thou wandering through
the fens?"
"We be pursued," answered Humphrey.
"Pursued? and by whom? Why, who should pursue the nephew of Roger
Aungerville?"
"It is a king's man, and he hath with him three men-at-arms," answered
Humphrey.
"A king's man, sayest thou? Nay, then, I meddle not in the king's
matters." And he made as if to hand back the ring.
"And wilt thou not, then, aid me to rescue my young master?"
"Nay," answered the canon. "I may not do such a thing except upon
compulsion. The dean is now absent, and I am in his place."
Beside himself with impatience over what seemed to him needless delay,
and with disappointment over what seemed to promise failure altogether,
Humphrey cried out roughly: "Compulsion, sayest thou? Then, since 'tis
compulsion thou lackest, compulsion thou shalt have." And he laid hands
on him.
At this two servants came running in. "Ye see," said the canon, turning
to them.
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