"Ah, my good Humphrey!" he cried; "I have found
thee out. Thou wouldst be an esquire, even as I would be a knight."
Humphrey sighed. "Yea, lad," he confessed, "but I am but a Saxon
serving-man."
Like a hawk the little old man was watching both. "And I have found
thee out," he said, turning to Hugo. "The mole on his nose doth signify
the good fortune thou wilt bring him, even as it signifieth what he
will do for me. Be sure, gentle lady, I shall serve thee well."
Hugo laughed and, in his character of lady, inclined his head
courteously.
Humphrey, who could not for a moment forget the business in hand,
ignored this pleasantry and inquired curtly: "But how goest thou with
us, Bartlemy? Will not the men who were here last night know thee?"
"Nay, verily," replied Bartlemy. "I have a friend to my counsel that
they know not of. 'Tis he who did lend these disguises, and did
instruct me, moreover, in many matters. He did bid me overcome the
young lord's objections to wearing woman's dress by naming Longchamp
and his green tunic and hood. And many other matters he hath helped me
to, even the whole conduct of the journey, as thou shalt presently
see.
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