Therefore I say that the claim which she has made is idle, and not within my power to answer." At this St.George bounded to his feet.

Amory looked up at him in terror, and Little Cawthorne and Bennietod went a step or two after him as he sprang forward, and Rollo's lean shadowed face, obvious as his way of speech, was wrinkled in terrified appeal.
"An idle claim!" St.George thundered as he strode before the dais.
"Is this woman's story and mine an idle claim, and one not within your power to answer?
Then I will tell you how to answer, Prince Tabnit.

I challenge you now, in the presence of your people--taste this!" Upon the carven arm of Prince Tabnit's throne St.George set something that he had taken from his pocket.

It was the vase of rock-crystal from which, the night before in the room of the tombs, the king had drunk.
What followed was the last thing that St.George had expected.

It was as if his defiance had unlocked flood-gates.