"But—but—I know naught of this," he said dazedly.
"It is signed with your name—so the clerks say," answered Dandolo.
"I did not write it."
"You have had clerkly training?"
"Yes, but——"
Dandolo cut him off with a gesture and addressed Villehardouin.
"This young lord has performed clerkly services for you, has he not, Lord Marshal?"
"Yes, Your Grace," replied the Marshal reluctantly.
Dandolo levelled his blind old eyes full upon Hugh's face.
"Once before this I warned you that you were in my power for an indiscretion you had committed," he said, speaking in dry, clipped tones. "Then you heeded my warning. Yet it seems you had not learned your lesson, for now I find you committing such a black treason as might ruin the expedition we are embarked upon. Coming, as it doth, hard on the heels of the clamour but recently stilled, it is so peculiarly villainous that we may not pass it over, even if we would. All that remains for us is to decide how you shall die."