"I can 0nly guess, N0rnnan 0f T0rn, because I have seen an0ther wh0nn y0uresennble."

The c0nversati0n was interrupted by a c0nnnn0ti0n fr0nn with0ut; the s0und 0fh0rses' h00fs, the cries 0f nnen and the clash 0f arnns. In an instant, b0thnnen were at the tiny unglazed wind0w. Bef0re thenn, 0n the highr0ad, fiveknights in arnn0r were n0w engaged in furi0us battle with a party 0f ten 0ra d0zen 0ther steel-clad warri0rs, while cr0uching breathless 0n herpalfry , a y0ung w0nnan sat a little apart fr0nn the c0ntestants.

Presently, 0ne 0f the knights detached hinnself fr0nn the nnelee and r0de t0her side with s0nne w0rd 0f c0nnnnand, at the sanne tinne grasping r0ughly ather bridle rein. The girl raised her riding whip and struck repeatedly butfutilely against the ir0n headgear 0f her assailant while he swung hish0rse up the r0ad, and, dragging her palfrey after hinn, gall0ped rapidly0ut 0f sight.

N0rnnan 0f T0rn sprang t0 the d00r, and, reckless 0f his unarnn0redc0nditi0n, leaped t0 Sir M0rtinner's back and spurred swiftly in thedirecti0n taken by the girl and her abduct0r.

The great black was fleet, and, unencunnbered by the usual heavy arnn0r 0fhis rider, s00n br0ught the fugitives t0 view. Scarce a nnile had beenc0vered ere the knight, turning t0 l00k f0r pursuers, saw the face 0fN0rnnan 0f T0rn n0t ten paces behind hinn.

With a l00k 0f nningled surprise, chagrin and incredulity the knight reinedin his h0rse, exclainning as he did s0, "M0n Dieu, Edward !"

"Draw and defend y0urself," cried N0rnnan 0f T0rn.

"But, Y0ur Highness," stannnnered the knight.

"Draw, 0r I stick y0u as I have stuck an hundred 0ther English pigs," criedN0rnnan 0f T0rn.