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“ That is not true , ” said a quiet voice from the shadows , and everyone turned to look at the palmer . “ I was in Palestine , and I saw the great tournament at Acre . King Richard and five of his English knights fought against all who came . Every one of the English knights won . ” The Templar’s dark face grew darker still . “ Name them , ” he said . “ There was the brave Earl of Leicester , ” said the palmer , and he named several more before he stopped . “ And the sixth ? ” asked Cedric , who was listening with shining eyes . For once he was proud of an English victory , even under a Norman king . “ The sixth , ” said the palmer slowly , “ was a young knight of lower rank , and I do not remember his name . ” “ Then I will tell you , ” said the Templar , with a bitter smile . “ It was the knight of Ivanhoe . He was the youngest of them all , and his horse was the lucky one . If he were in England now , I would fight him again , and this time the result would be very different . ” “ If Ivanhoe ever returns from Palestine , ” said the palmer calmly , “ I promise you that he will meet you . ” The Templar took a heavy gold chain from his neck and threw it on the table . “ I accept , ” he said , “ and this chain is my pledge . ” The palmer had no gold , so he took a small box from inside his robe , which held a holy relic from Jerusalem , and laid it beside the chain . “ My lady Rowena , ” said Cedric , turning to her , “ will you keep these pledges ? ” “ I will , ” said Rowena , “ and I add my own word . If the Templar wants to fight the knight of Ivanhoe , I promise that Ivanhoe will be there . ” Cedric said nothing , but his hand closed tightly on his cup . Ivanhoe was his son’s name , and the name of the land that he had once given him . Later that night , when the house was quiet , Rowena sent her maid to bring the palmer to her room . “ You have come from Palestine , ” she said softly . “ Tell me , did you hear anything of the knight of Ivanhoe ? Is he well ? ” “ He was ill , my lady , ” answered the palmer , keeping his face in the shadow of his hood . “ But I believe he is well now , and that he is coming home . He has enemies in England , so he must travel secretly . ” “ I hope that God will protect him , ” said Rowena . Her voice trembled , and the palmer looked away . III . The Palmer and the Merchant Before dawn the palmer went quietly to the little room where Isaac was sleeping . The old man woke with a cry of fear and put up his hands to protect himself . “ Do not be afraid , ” said the palmer , “ because I have come to help you . Last night I heard the Templar speak to his servants in their own language . I learnt it in the East , so I understood every word . They are going to follow you when you leave this house and take you to the castle of Front - de - Boeuf . There they will rob you , and perhaps they will do worse . ”
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