Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/72

48 "It will be, perhaps, a simpler matter to take you in than for you to let yourself out when you choose. I should not be surprised to see the van of an attacking force appear at the edge of the woods even while we are yet talking. We have reason to expect a siege. When it may begin and, still more, when it may end, is impossible to foresee."

"And from whom do you fear an assault?" the Friar inquired, as he looked about him at the workmen.

"We do not fear it, but we expect it from the Count de Ferrers," Edgar replied. "He has already shown himself an enemy, and he has heretofore made a claim to this castle."

"I have seen him, and I asked him but yesterday for shelter," said the Friar, frowning as he spoke. "He bade me begone 'for a black rat fit for nothing but to gnaw grain that might keep a soldier.' Yet even a brother of St. Francis may be of use to a knight, did he but know it. I am a man of some learning, and I have some skill in arts that are unknown to common folk. If you will not grudge me a bit of bread and place to bestow a thin old man used to discomfort, I shall study to repay you. As to the siege, I can bear a hand at a lever or point a catapult in case of need."