H. C. Bailey

“ The Devil laughed long; his men with him, and some of the women. A few looked at Bertram pitifully.
"The fool grows witty," laughed the Devil. Suddenly his face changed. His heavy grey brows came lowering down, his thin lips curled back from his teeth. "And here is my answer, fool—fool!" He hissed the word. "First, the boy shall make sport for us; then you—fool! That for your King!" he spat upon the ground.
"Art a little man to talk so high," said Bertram coolly. "Six-score pounds of skin and bone, I guess thee, Master Devil. Less without thy teeth." ”

“ The King shook his head.
"Even with the Devil we keep faith," he said; and Sir Stephen looked downcast. "Nay, never grieve for that, Stephen," cried the King. "Shalt hunt him none the less," and Sir Stephen fell on his knee and kissed the King's hand in great joy. But that night a homestead flared scarce half a mile from the King's outer guard; and when John Bowlegs, the sergeant of the guard, rode down with his men through the darkness, they found nought but blazing ricks and a blazing roof. ”

“ Through his teeth he had muttered—
"Splendour of Heaven!"—that only; but the Devil's man began to be afraid.
"And for that?" said Robert Burnell softly.
"For that you shall give Giles Dentnoire Robert's lands," said the Devil's man hastily.
"Spawn of Mahound! would you sell your murders to me?" thundered the King. But the Devil's man had his courage.
"Will you buy, Sir King?" he said bluntly. Then the guard took a step forward, watching the King; but the Devil's man had no fear of armed men, though he might tremble at the hot wrath of the King. He glanced at the guard and laughed. ”