I found means, however, to make my mark upon him; but as our quarrel could not be fought out to the end, and as the false knight had the aid of Prince John, I am forced for a while to postpone our settlement, and meeting my good friend the minstrel, agreed to join him in his enterprise to discover our lord the king." The knight warmly grasped Cuthbert's hand.
"I am glad," he said, "to meet so true and valiant a knight.

I have often wondered at the valour with which you, although so young, bore yourself; and there were tales afloat of strange adventures which you had undergone in captivity for a time among the infidels." At Sir Adelbert's request, Cuthbert related the story of his adventures among the Saracens; and then Blondel, tuning his lute, sang several canzonets which he had composed in the Holy Land, of feats of arms and adventure.
"How far are you," Cuthbert asked presently, when Blondel laid his lute aside, "from the estates which were wrongfully wrested from you ?" "But twenty leagues," the knight said.

"My castle was on the Rhine, between Coblentz and Mannheim." "Does the baron know that you are so near ?" Cuthbert asked.
"Methinks that he does not," the knight replied, "but that he deems me to have gone to the court of the emperor to seek for redress--which, he guesses, I shall certainly fail to obtain." "How many men have you with you ?" Cuthbert asked.
"Fifty men, all good and true," the knight said.
"Has it never entered your thoughts to attempt a surprise upon his castle ?" Cuthbert said.
The knight was silent for a minute.
"At times," he said at length, "thoughts of so doing have occurred to me; but the castle is strong, and a surprise would be difficult indeed." "If the baron is lulled in security at present," Cuthbert said, "and deems you afar off, the watch is likely to be relaxed, and with a sudden onslaught you might surely obtain possession.

Blondel and myself are not pressed for time, and the delay of a few days can make but little difference.

If, therefore, you think we could be of assistance to you in such an attempt, my sword, and I am sure that of my friend, would be at your disposal." The knight sat for some time in silence.
"Thanks, generous knight," he said at last, "I am sorely tempted to avail myself of your offer; but I fear that the enterprise is hopeless.