We saw the penthouse beneath which they had laboured to cut through the wall, but the work had ceased before the holes were large enough for entry, and we hoped that you might have seen that further resistance was in vain, and have made terms for your lives; indeed we heard from the country people that certain prisoners had been taken to Amiens.

I rested one day at Pres, and the next rode back here, and forthwith despatched a herald to the Count of Evreux at Amiens asking for news of the garrison; but now he has returned with word that twenty-four men-at-arms and fifty-eight archers are prisoners in the count's hands, and that he is ready to exchange them against an equal number of French prisoners; but that you, with a man-at-arms, were in the keeping of Sir Phillip of Holbeaut, with whom I must treat for your ransom.

And now tell me how it is that I see you here.

Has your captor, confiding in your knightly word to send him the sum agreed upon, allowed you to return?
Tell me the sum and my treasurer shall tomorrow pay it over to a herald, who shall carry it to Holbeaut." "Thanks, your Royal Highness, for your generosity," Walter replied, "but there is no ransom to be paid." And he then proceeded to narrate the incidents of his captivity at Holbeaut and his escape from the castle.

His narration was frequently interrupted by exclamations of surprise and indignation from the prince and knights present.
"Well, this well-nigh passes all belief," the prince exclaimed when he had concluded.