Page 132 - A Knight of the White Cross

"Now, what is this matter, Sir Gervaise?" he asked pleasantly. "Nothing
serious, I trust?"

"I don't know, Sir John. That is a matter for your consideration; but it seems

to me of such importance that it ought to be brought to your knowledge."

The face of the bailiff grew more grave, and, seating himself in a chair, he

motioned to Gervaise to do the same.

"Now, let me hear what it is," he said.

Gervaise told his story simply. A slight smile passed across the bailiff's face

as he mentioned that he had met the Greek on the roof of the house of
Signor Vrados, and had not liked the expression of his face.

"Vrados has some fair daughters, has he not?" he asked.

"Yes, sir; but I know little of them. That is the only visit that I ever paid
there, or, indeed, to the house of any one in the town."

Sir John's face grew grave again as Gervaise recounted how he had seen the
man enter into communication with a slave; and he frowned heavily when

he heard of his meeting afterwards with one of the prison officers.

"In truth, Sir Gervaise," he said, after a pause, "this seems to be a right
serious matter, and you have done wisely in informing me of what you
have seen. Assuredly there is mischief of some sort in the wind. The

question is how to get to the bottom of it. Of course, the grand master might
order the arrest of this Greek and of the prison officer, but you may be sure

that neither would commit himself unless torture were applied; and I, for
one, have no belief in what any man says under such circumstances. The
most honest man may own himself a traitor when racked with torture, and

may denounce innocent men. It is at best a clumsy device. What think you
of the matter?"