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 measure, trusted for supporting his character, with more anxiety and hesitation than had hitherto accompanied it. But Front-de-Bœuf was accustomed to see men of all ranks tremble in his presence, so that the timidity of the supposed father did not give him any cause of suspicion. "Who and whence art thou, priest?" said he.

"Pax vobiscum," reiterated the Jester, "I am a poor servant of St Francis, who, travelling through this wilderness, have fallen among thieves, (as Scripture hath it), quidam viator incidit in latrones, which thieves have sent me unto this castle in order to do mine ghostly office on two persons condemned by your honourable justice.

"Ay, right," answered Front-de-Bœuf; "and canst thou tell me, holy father, the number of those banditti?"

"Gallant sir," answered the Jester, "nomen illis legio, their name is legion."

"Tell me in plain terms what numbers there are? or, priest, thy cloak and cord will ill protect thee."

"Alas!" said the supposed friar, "cor meum eructavit, that is to say, I was like to burst with