So Hugh recounted the history of the Crusade, and its diversion from Babylon, first to Zara, and then to Constantinople, and the falling-out between the Crusaders and the Greeks. He was interrupted frequently, for Sir James must ask questions as to the leaders and questions of policy, and how battles had turned. And after these had been explained, they came back to Hugh's own story, and Hugh detailed his adventures, beginning with the coming of Mocenigo to Blancherive.
"Mocenigo!" exclaimed his father. "That foul knave! Was there with him a swart, squat shipman——"
"Bartolommeo?"
"Ay, Bartolommeo Caraducci, he who brought you hither?"
"Nay, I met not Bartolommeo at that time. But after, when I came to sail for Outremer, he crossed my path."
Hugh told the story of the sea-fight in the Narrow Seas, and Sir James listened with keen relish.
"Ay, 'twas well-contrived," he applauded. "This Matteo is a man-at-arms of worth. I would I might meet with him. As for Bartolommeo, scoundrel that he is, I have a friendly regard for him, if only that he is no hypocrite and sins openly for the love of sinning. 'Twas he captained the galley Holy Dove, which brought me to Constantinople, and he, acting under Mocenigo's instructions, trapped me here."
"But how was that, father?" asked Hugh, amazed.
"'Tis a long story. But first we must have yours. Then I will make all clear to you."
So Hugh resumed the interrupted thread of his narrative, and described the journey across France, with the rescue of the Comnenoi in the forest near Troyes.