"Can you whisper his name?" and the King bent low over the bed.
Sir John's lips twitched. He labored hard to speak, but the strength was wanting; no sound came; the tongue refused to move. A spasm of disappointment passed over his face. Then suddenly he fixed his eyes meaningly upon De Lacy, and Richard understood.
"Does Sir Aymer know this fellow?" he asked.
"Yes," was the instant answer.
"Has he been about the Court?"
"No."
"St. Denis!" exclaimed De Lacy, "was it Flat-Nose?"
"Yes! Yes!" eagerly.
"One more question," said the King: "Can you suggest whither they carried the Countess?"
Again the eyes turned to De Lacy.