King Richard should long ere this have reached Saxony; and I fear much that some foul treatment has befallen him.

On our way we found how bitter was the feeling among those related to Conrad of Montferat against him; and the Archduke John is still smarting from the blow which King Richard struck him at Ascalon.
But surely they would not be so unknightly as to hinder so great a champion of Christendom as King Richard on his homeward way ?" "The Archduke John is crafty and treacherous," the duke said; "and the emperor himself would, I think, be not sorry to lay hand upon the King of England, were it only to do pleasure to Philip of France.

Assuredly, however the anger and indignation of all Christendom will be aroused should the king's passage be interrupted, for it were indeed a gross breach of hospitality to seize upon a man who has the double claim of being a champion of Christendom and a shipwrecked man.

However, it is early yet to be uneasy, and it may be that in a few days we may have news of the arrival of the king in Saxony.

He may have encountered difficulties similar to those which you yourself have met with.