"Come, Master Catesby, our late respective positions are now reversed," said I calmly and distinctly, that my speech might be clear to his dazed senses. "Dost hear me?"
In a feeble voice, and with the use of many curses intermixed with groans, he answered that he did.
"Before thou diest thou shalt have an opportunity for the making of some slight restitution for the many wrongs that thou hast done to me. Tell me where I may find the Lady Hazel."
He raised himself up and leaned on his well arm, whilst the other did hang limp and twisted at his side.
"And what shall I receive for the telling of this to thee?"
"The weight of one good act to place opposite to the great load of evil on the scales of justice, when thou dost shortly appear before the seat of judgment."
"Ha, ha, ha!" loud did he laugh. "And dost thou then think that I am bereft of reason, to thus fling from me all that I do possess wherewith to buy my life? Nay, unless thou dost spare my life, thou mayest search from now until thy death, ere thou dost find the lady that thou seekest."
I held my dagger to his throat, but still he did hold his secret fast.
"Thy miserable life is then spared, for the present, if thou dost tell me where the lady is."
"And wilt thou forbid yon demon from murdering me?"