"
"And like to have our necks stretched, lord, by reason of a fond and
foolish whim!"
"Unless, Pertinax, having naught to depend on but our native wit we, by our
wit, win free. Other poor rogues in like case have broke prison ere now,
and 'tis pity and shame in us if thou, a knight so potent and high-born,
and I, a prince, may not do the like."
"Messire, unlearned am I in the breaking o' prisons so when my time cometh
to die in a noose I can but die as knight should--though I had rather 't
were in honest fight."
"Spoken like the very fool of a knight!" quoth Jocelyn. "So now will I
show thee how by the wit of a brave and noble lady we may yet 'scape the
hangman. Hearken in thine ear!"
But, when Jocelyn had told him all and shown money and sleeping-charm, Sir
Pertinax grew thoughtful, sighing deep and oft, yet speaking not, wherefore
the Duke questioned him.
"Good gossip, gasp not!" quoth he. "How think'st thou of prison-breaking
now--expound!"
"Why, sir, I think when all do charmed and spellbound
snore,
Then will we shrewdly choke them that they wake
no more!"
"Nay, Pertinax, here shall be no need of choking, forsooth!" Sir Pertinax
bowed chin on fist and sighed again.
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