He opened his eyes to find the lad shivering as with an ague.

His face was ashen.
"Now, what's amiss?
Oddslife, what ails you ?" he cried.
"Is there no way, Sir Crispin?
Is there naught you can do ?" wailed the youth.
Instantly Galliard sat up.
"Poor lad, does the thought of the rope affright you ?" Kenneth bowed his head in silence.
"Tis a scurvy death, I own.

Look you, Kenneth, there is a dagger in my boot.

If you would rather have cold steel, 'tis done.

It is the last service I may render you, and I'll be as gentle as a mistress.