"None but our own pleasure," answered Hereward; "for I suspect there is not between us any legitimate cause of quarrel demanding to be fought out in such a place, and before such a spectator. Thou art, if I mistake not, the bold Frank, who was yesternight imprisoned in this place with, a tiger, chained within no distant spring of his bed?"
"I am," answered the Count.
"And where is the animal who was opposed to thee?"
"He lies yonder," answered the Count, "never again to be the object of more terror than the deer whom he may have preyed on in his day." He pointed to the body of the tiger, which Hereward examined by the light of the dark lantern already mentioned.
"And this, then, was thy handiwork?" said the wondering Anglo-Saxon.
"Sooth to say it was," answered the Count, with indifference.
"And thou hast slain my comrade of this strange watch?" said the
Varangian.
"Mortally wounded him at the least," said Count Robert.
"With your patience, I will be beholden to you for a moment's truce, while I examine his wound," said Hereward.
"Assuredly," answered the Count; "blighted be the arm which strikes a foul blow at an open antagonist!"