"
"Yes, lord, it has. I have it straight from Clement's own secretary, and
the answer is that his Holiness will attend to the matter when the pest
has passed away from Avignon, and not before. He adds also that when
it does so, if ever, all the parties to the cause, by themselves or
by their representatives, must appear before him. He will give no _ex
parte_ judgment upon an issue which, from letters that have reached him
appears to be complicated and doubtful."
"Mother of Heaven!" exclaimed Acour, "what a fool am I to let you in to
tell me such tidings. Well, if that is all you have to say the sooner
I am out of this hateful city the better. I ride this afternoon, or, if
need be, walk on foot."
"Indeed," said Basil. "Then you leave behind you some who are not
so frightened of their health, but who bide here upon a very similar
errand. Doubtless, as often happens to the bold, they will find a way to
fulfil it."
"And who may these be, fellow?"
"A bold and warlike knight, a squire with hair like tow and a face that
might be worn by Death himself, and a young English serving man."
Acour started up from the chair in which he had sat down.
"No need to tell me their names," he said, "but how, by hell's gate,
came de Cressi and his familiar here."
"By the road, I imagine, lord, like others. At least, a few days ago
they were seen travelling toward the bridge of St.
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