Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-26
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.


man OF much wisdom and valor"
He Is Sir William Fenton, who, with my
unworthy self, is the chief counselor of the
prince, he being high steward and I the
seneschal of Aquitaine."
And the knights upon the right, beside
Don Pedro?'
They are cavaliers of Spain who have
followed him in his exile The one at his
brave and true a man as heart could wish
In front to the right are the Gascon lords.
You may well tell them by their clouded
brows, for there hath been some ill-will of
late betwixt the prince and them. The tall
and burly man is the CAPITAL de Buch, whom
l doubt not that you know, for a Drawer
knight never laid lance in rest. That heavy
faced cavalier who plucks his skirts and
whispers In his ear is Lord Oliver de Clis-
son, known also as the butcher. He 1t Is
who stirs up strife, and forever blows the
dying embers into flame. The man with
the mole upon his cheek is the Lord Pom
mers, and his two brothers stand behind
him, with the Lord Lesparre, Lord de
Rosem, Lord de Mucident, Sir Perducas
others. Further back are knights from
Quercy. Limousin. Saintonge, Poitou and
Aquitaine. with the valiant Sir Guiscard
d'Angle. That is he in the rose-colored
doublet with the ermine'
And the knights upon this side?"
'"They are all Englishmen. some of the
household and others who, like yourself.
are captains of companies. There is Lord
Matthew Courtney, with Sir Walter Huet,
SIR Thomas Banaster and Sir Thomas Eel
ton, who Is the brother of the high steward
Mark well the man with the high nose and
fiaxen beard who hath placed his hand upon
the shoulder of the dark, hard-faced cava-
Her in the rust-stained jupon.
LAY, by St. Paul!' observed Sir Nigel,
they both bear the print of their armor
upon their cotes-hardies. Methinks they
are men who breathe freer In camp than
court"
There are many of US who do that,
Nigel" said Chandos, land the head of the
court Is, l dare warrant, among them. But
of these two men the one Is Sir Hugh Cal
verey and the other is Sir Robert knoles.
Sir Nigel and Sir Oliver craned their
necks to have the clearer view of these
famous warriors, the one chosen leader of
free companies, the other man who by
his fierce valor and energy had raised him.
self from the lowest ranks until he was
second only to Chandos himself in the
esteem of the army.
HE hath no light hand In war, hath Sir
Robert" said Chandos. IF he passes
years to come. 1 have heard that In the
north 1t Is still the use to call house
which hath but. the two gable-ends LETT,
without walls or roof, knolles' inter.
IT have often heard of him.. said Nigel,
land 1 have hoped to be so far honored as
to run a course with him. But bark, Sir
John, what is amiss with the prince?"
While Chandos had been conversing with
suitors had been ushered In, Adventures
seeking to sell their swords, and mer-
chants clamoring over some grievance, a
ship detained for the carriage OF troops
or a tun of sweet wine which had the bot
tom knocked out by a troop OF thirsty
archers A few words from the prince dis
posed of each case, and, II the applicant
liked not the judgment, quick glance
from the princes dark eyes sent him to
the door viii the grievance all gone out
of him. The younger ruler had sat INST
lesslv upon his stool with the two puppet
monarchs enthroned behind him, but or
sudden a dark shadow passed over his face,
and he sprang to his feet in one or the
gusts of passion which were the single blot
upon his noble and generous character.
How now Don Mantin de Ia Carra"' he
cried. How now, sirrah? What message
do you bring to US from our brother of
Navarre?"
The newcomer to whom this abrupt query
had been addressed was tall and exceed
ingly handsome cavalier who had just been
ushered into the apartment. His swarthy
cheek and raven-black hair spoke of the
fiery south, and he wore his long black
cloak swathed across his chest and over
his shoulders in a graceful sweeping fash
ion which was neither English nor French
With stately steps and many profound
bows, he advanced to the foot of the dais
before replying to the princes question.
my powerful and iilustrious master" he
began, Charles, King of Navarro, Earl of
Evreux, Count of Champagne, who also
writeth himself Overload of Bearn, hereby
sends his love and greetings to his dear
cousin Edward, the Prince of Wales, Gov
ernor of Aquitaine, grand commander Of"
flush! tushi Don Martini" interrupted
the prince. who had been beating the
ground with his foot impatiently during
this stately preamble. 1--WE already know
our cousins titles and style, and. certes,
we know our own. To the point, man, and
at once. Are the passes open to us, or does
your master go back from his word pledged
to me at Libourne no later than last MI
chaelmas?'
at would i'll become my gracious master.
sire. to go back from promise given He
does but ask some delay and certain con-
ditlons and hostages
"Conditionsl Hostages! Is he speaking to
the Prince of England, or is 1t to the
bourgeois provost of some half-captured
town? Conditions, quotha? He may find
much to mend in his own condition
long. The passes are, then, closed to us?''
NAY, sire
'"They are open, them"
NAY, sire; If you would but
Enough. enough, Don Martin" cried the
prince. ut is a sorry sight to see so true
a knight pleading in SO false cause. We
know the doings of our cousin Charles.
We know that while with the right hand he
takes our $4,000 crowns for the holding of
the passes open, he hath his left outstretch-
ed to Henry of Trastamare or to the King
of France, all ready to take as many more
for the keeping them closed l know our
good Charles, and. by my blessed name
saint, the confessor he shall learn that
know him. He sets his kingdom up to
the best bidder. like some scullion farrier
selling glandered horse. He is"
my lord" cried Don Martin, Il cannot
stand there to hear such words of my
master. Did they come from other lips. l
should know better how to answer them
Don Pedro frowned and curled his lip, but
the prince smiled and nodded his approba-
ton.
Your bearing and your words. Don Mar
tin, are such I should have looked for in
you," he remarked. You will tell the
king, your master, that he hath been paid
his price, and that If he holds to his
promise he hath my word for it that no
scath shall come to his people, nor to their
houses or gear. If. however, we have not
his leave, 1 shall come close at the heels
of this message without his leave, and bear
ing key with me which shall open all
that he may close"
He stopped and whispered to Sir Robert
Knolles and Sir Hugh Calverly, who smiled
as men well pleased. and FASTENED from the
room.
"Our cousin Charles has had experience
of our friendship" the prince continued,
land now, by the saints! he shall feel
touch of our displeasure. I send now a
message to our cousin Charles which his
kingdom NAV read. Let him take