He fought on and marvelled as the seconds went by that Gregory came not to his aid.

Then the sickening thought that perhaps Gregory was overcome occurred to him.

In such a case he must reckon upon himself alone.

He cursed the over-confidence that had led him into that ever-fatal error of underestimating his adversary.

He might have known that one who had acquired Sir Crispin's fame was no ordinary man, but one accustomed to face great odds and master them.