Page 135 - A Knight of the White Cross

think there would be very little questioning, for I should pretend to be in a
state of sullen despair, and give such short answers to questions that I

should soon be left alone."

"The scheme is a good one, Sir Gervaise, though full of danger and
difficulty. If you are ready to render this great service to the Order, I
willingly accept the sacrifice you offer to make. I will send one of my

slaves down into the town to buy garments suitable for you, and also stains
for your skin. It will, of course, be necessary for you to shave a portion of

your head in Turkish fashion. I will also see Sir John Boswell, and ask him
to arrange for a craft to be ready to start at noon. The galley is not expected
in until evening, but of course she may arrive at any moment now. Come

here again in an hour's time, and I will have the clothes ready for you."

"May I suggest, sir, that they should be those appropriate to a small
merchant? This might seem to account for my not being placed with the
other slaves who may be on board the galley, as it would be supposed that I

was set apart in order that I should be sent to one of the auberges as a
servant; and my afterwards being herded with the others would be

explained by its being found that there was no opening for me in such a
capacity. I should think there would be no difficulty in obtaining such a
suit, as garments of all kinds are brought here in prizes, and are bought up

by some of the Greek merchants, who afterwards find opportunities of
despatching them by craft trading among the islands."

Just before noon Gervaise walked down to the port with Sir John Boswell,
a servant following with a bundle.

"It seems to me a hare brained scheme, lad," Sir John, who had just joined

him, said, as they issued from the auberge; "though I own, from what the
bailiff tells me, that there must be some treacherous plot on hand, and when
that is the case it is necessary that it should be probed to the bottom. But for

a knight to go in the disguise of an infidel slave seems to me to be beyond
all bounds."