Who are you that make this tumult at my gates?
Another turbulent Englishman, I'll be bound."
"Ay, sir, an Englishman called Sir Hugh de Cressi, and his companion,
Richard the Archer, whom these rogues have tried to rob and murder,
messengers from his Grace King Edward."
Now Sir Geoffrey changed his tone.
"Your pardon if I spoke roughly, Sir Hugh, but we poor Envoys have to
do with many rufflers from our own land. Enter, I pray you. My servants
will see to your gear and horses. But first, what is the trouble between
you and these fellows?"
Hugh told him briefly.
"Ah!" he said, "a common trick with foreigners. Well for you that night
had not fallen, since otherwise they might have rowed you up some back
waterway and there done you to death. The canals of Venice hide the
traces of many such foul deeds. Mother of Heaven!" he added, "why, this
boatman is none other than Giuseppe, the noted bravo," and he turned and
in Italian bade his servants seize the man.
But Giuseppe had heard enough. Springing into the water he swam like a
duck for the farther bank of the canal, and, gaining it, ran swiftly for
some alley, where he vanished.
"He's gone," said Sir Geoffrey, "and as well hunt with a lantern for a
rat in a sewer as for him. Well, we have his boat, which shall be sent
to the magistrate with letters of complaint. Only, Sir Hugh, be careful
to wear mail when you walk about at night, lest that villain and his
mates should come to collect their fare with a stiletto.
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