Accordingly one of the prisoners was liberated and given a letter to his master in which the news of his son's capture was made known. Geoffrey also expressed therein his willingness to hand Henri over to his father should Sir Yves set Sir Oliver and his squire Oswald at liberty, without further delay.
Three days later a curt message was received from the Tyrant of Malevereux.
"Do as thou wilt with my son," he wrote. "Since he hath been fool enough to fall into thy hands, let him shift for himself. But rest assured concerning the oath I swore relating to Sir Oliver, not one jot nor one tittle will I abate in fulfilment of it."
"Here is a fine ado," quoth Gripwell. "'Tis certain this base villain hath no more regard for his son than for the veriest cur in his kennels."
"Perchance this Henri will offer ransom," suggested Geoffrey doubtfully.
"We can but try him. Methinks that with all the treasure stored within the walls of Malevereux 'twould be passing strange if this prisoner of ours hath not command of ten thousand crowns."
Accordingly Geoffrey and the men-at-arms, attended by two archers, entered the narrow chamber in which Sir Yves' son was confined.
Henri de Valadour, the son of Sir Yves de Malevereux, was sitting on a stone bench, brooding over his misfortunes. He had been shown a consideration that contrasted favourably with his sire's treatment of Sir Oliver, but the sullen countenance of the prisoner belied any feelings of gratitude for his courteous though compulsory entertainment.
"Ten thousand crowns, by my hilt!" he cried disdainfully when the matter was mentioned. "Ye'll do well if ye see the colour of ten thousand sous. If it be thy will to put me to death so be it; but I pray thee, fair sir, that it may not be by means of a hempen rope."
"'Twould be a fine sight for the countryside to see Henri, son of Sir Yves, dangling by his neck from the topmost turret of Taillemartel," said Gripwell roughly.