You know that I would part with
Calais only when I parted with my soul."
"Then you know nothing of de Chargny's attempt?"
"Nothing sire."
"Liar and villain!" yelled the King, springing to his feet and
dashing his fist upon the table until the glasses rattled again.
"Seize him, archers! Seize him this instant! Stand close by
either elbow, lest he do himself a mischief! Now do you dare to
tell me to my face, you perjured Lombard, that you know nothing of
de Chargny and his plans?"
"As God is my witness I know nothing of him!" The man's lips were
white, and he spoke in a thin, sighing, reedy voice, his eyes
wincing away from the fell gaze of the angry King.
Edward laughed bitterly, and drew a paper from his breast. "You
are the judges in this case, you, my fair son, and you, Chandos,
and you, Manny, and you, Sir Hubert, and you also, my Lord Bishop.
By my sovereign power I make you a court that you may deal justice
upon this man, for by God's eyes I will not stir from this room
until I have sifted the matter to the bottom. And first I would
read you this letter. It is superscribed to Sir Aymery of Pavia,
nomme Le Lombard, Chateau de Calais. Is not that your name and
style, you rogue?"
"It is my name, sire; but no such letter has come to me."
"Else had your villainy never been disclosed. It is signed
`Isidore de Chargny'.
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