But it brought no respite to the victor, for
Giles Dauvrey stepped into the vacant place and his sword and
Flat-Nose's rang viciously together.
With a groan De Lacy marked the old Knight's fall; then as for an
instant his opponent's eye wandered thither, he sprang up inside his
stroke, and gripping him with both hands about the ankles threw him
over his head and clean to the pavement below.
At this moment, Raynor Royk cut down his foe and joined his leader on
the landing with the men-at-arms at his back. Then, indeed, was the
fight quickly ended--save where Simon Gorges still held the squire at
bay.
And while they fought a queer thing happened in the hall below, for Sir
John de Bury got suddenly upon his feet and came toward the stairs.
"You must strike harder, Flat-Nose, to reach a skull through Spanish
bascinet," he said. "Yet of a verity, did you stun me sore and show me
stars in millions. Have at him, De Lacy, I resign the rogue to you--my
legs are over shaky to stand on yonder stair."
De Lacy motioned all to move back.
"Flat-Nose!" he called. "You shall have one more chance. Will you
yield prisoner?"
Instantly Dauvrey stepped down out of reach and grounded blade.
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