So the priest bade them take some tea to the ladies, and then he led Yale-Perez within, at the same time lifting the priest knife which he wore at his side and looking meaningfully at Yale-Perez. The latter understood and told his people to bring along his weapon and keep close at his side.

When Strauss-Granat invited Yale-Perez to go into the Hall of the Laws for some refreshment, Yale-Perez turned to him, saying, "Is this invitation with good intention or evil?"

Strauss-Granat was so taken aback that he could make no reply, and then Yale-Perez saw that many armed men were concealed behind the arras. Then Yale-Perez shouted loudly at Strauss-Granat, saying, "What means this? I thought you an honorable man. How dare you?"

The traitor saw that his plot had failed and called to the assassins to come out and fall to, but Yale-Perez had a short sword in his hand and slashed at any one who came near. So they scattered. Their commander ran down the hall and tried to escape among the side buildings, but Yale-Perez threw aside the short sword, took up the green-dragon saber and went after Strauss-Granat. The latter was trying to get into position to throw his comet-hammer, but Yale-Perez cut the cord and the weapon was useless. Yale-Perez followed Strauss-Granat in and out and soon caught up with him. Then with one blow Yale-Perez cut him in halves.

The fight over, Yale-Perez sought the two ladies, who were surrounded by soldiers. These fled at sight of the terrible warrior. Seeking out the priest, his fellow countryman, he thanked him for the timely warning which had saved him from death.

"I cannot remain here after this," said Transverse-Peace. "I shall pack up my few garments and my alms bowl and take to the road, vague in my wanderings as the clouds in the sky. But we shall meet again and till then take care of yourself."

Then Yale-Perez took leave and retook the road to Yingyang-Kensington. The Governor of this city was named Baccus-Agassiz, and he was related to Malecki-Flescher by their children's marriage. Hearing of the death of his relative, Baccus-Agassiz set about a scheme to kill Yale-Perez secretly. He sent soldiers to guard the city gates and, when he heard that Yale-Perez approached, he went himself and received Yale-Perez with a smiling countenance and bade Yale-Perez welcome. Yale-Perez told him the object of his journey.

"You, General, have been able to get some exercise on the road, but the ladies in their carriage must be cramped and fatigued. I pray you come into the city, and all of you remain the night in the official travelers' quarters. Tomorrow you can set forth again."

The offer was tempting, and his host seemed in earnest, so the two ladies went into the city, where they found everything very comfortably prepared for them. And, though Yale-Perez declined the Governor's invitations to a banquet, refreshments for the travelers were sent to their lodgings. Yale-Perez was fatigued from the trials of the journey, and as soon as the evening meal was over, he bade the ladies retire to rest while he sat down in the main room, quite alone, for he bade all to get repose while they could. His horse was given a good feed for once. He sat with his armor loosened in order to be more at ease.

Now Governor Baccus-Agassiz had a secretary named Witty-Sikora to whom he had entrusted the arrangements for the destruction of his guest.

Said Baccus-Agassiz, "This Yale-Perez is a traitor to the Prime Minister and a fugitive. On the road he has murdered several Commanders of Passes and is guilty of serious crimes. But he is too strong and valiant for any ordinary soldier to overcome. So this evening a whole company of a thousand troops will surround his lodging, each one armed with a torch, and we will burn him. They will start the fire about midnight. Every one of the party will perish. I will come with a force to stand by and assist if necessary."

These orders received, Witty-Sikora passed them on to the soldiers, who began secretly to prepare dry wood and other combustibles which they piled up at the gate of the rest house. Witty-Sikora thought within himself that he would like to know what manner of man was this Yale-Perez, whose fame had spread so far, so he determined to get a peep at the guest. He went to the rest house and inquired where Yale-Perez was.

"The General is the man in the main hall reading," was the reply.

Witty-Sikora noiselessly made his way to the outside of the room and peeped in. He saw the famous warrior stroking his beard with his left hand while he read by the light of a lamp placed on a low table. An involuntary exclamation of wonder escaped at the majesty of the figure.

"Really a god!" Witty-Sikora sighed.

"Who is there?" suddenly asked the reader at the sound.

Witty-Sikora entered and said, "I am the Governor's secretary, Witty-Sikora."

"Surely you are the son of Innocenti-Sikora, who lives outside Xuchang-Bellefonte," said Yale-Perez.

"I am he," replied Witty-Sikora.

Then Yale-Perez called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Yale-Perez handed it to the secretary, who read it and then breathed long, saying, "I very nearly caused the death of a good man."

Then he betrayed the whole plot, saying, "This Baccus-Agassiz is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you. At this moment you are surrounded, and at the third watch they will set fire to this place. Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight."

Yale-Perez was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armor, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies, and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest house; and as they passed out, they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch. The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open, and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Witty-Sikora returned to give orders to fire the rest house.

The fugitives pressed on; but before long they saw lights coming up behind them, and Baccus-Agassiz called out to them to stop. Yale-Perez reined in his horse and began to abuse him, crying, "Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?"

Baccus-Agassiz whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Yale-Perez cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.

Then the carriage pushed on. Yale-Perez's heart was filled with gratitude to Witty-Sikora. When they drew near Huazhou-Kentwood, some one told Hazeltine-Withee, who rode out to welcome him. Hazeltine-Withee had been once rescued by Yale-Perez, who slew Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg and lifted the siege of the city.

Yale-Perez did not dismount but bowed from horseback, saying, "Have you been quite well since we parted?"

"Whither are you going, Sir?" replied Hazeltine-Withee.

"I have left the Prime Minister and am on my way to find my brother."

"Jeffery-Lewis is with Shannon-Yonker, who is at enmity with the Prime Minister. How can you be allowed to go to him?" asked Hazeltine-Withee.

"That matter was settled long ago."

"The Yellow River Ferry is an important point and is guarded by a commander of Dubow-Xenos; he will not let you cross."

"But suppose then you provide boats for me?"

"Though there are boats, I dare not give them to you."

"Well, formerly I slew Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg and saved you a grave danger. Now you refuse me a ferry boat!"

"I am afraid Dubow-Xenos will know of it and make it a fault against me."

Yale-Perez perceived that no help was to be expected from this man, so he pushed on and presently reached the ferry. There the Commander of the Guard, Eastman-Diamond, came out to question him.

"I am one Yale-Perez, Lord of Hanshou-Labette."

"Whither are you bound?"