although, by the bones of Becket, courtesy to them is casting
pearls before swine."

Prince John had proceeded thus far, and was about to give the
signal for retiring from the lists, when a small billet was put
into his hand.

"From whence?" said Prince John, looking at the person by whom it
was delivered.

"From foreign parts, my lord, but from whence I know not" replied
his attendant. "A Frenchman brought it hither, who said, he had
ridden night and day to put it into the hands of your highness."

The Prince looked narrowly at the superscription, and then at the
seal, placed so as to secure the flex-silk with which the billet
was surrounded, and which bore the impression of three
fleurs-de-lis. John then opened the billet with apparent
agitation, which visibly and greatly increased when he had
perused the contents, which were expressed in these words:

"Take heed to yourself for the Devil is unchained!"

The Prince turned as pale as death, looked first on the earth,
and then up to heaven, like a man who has received news that
sentence of execution has been passed upon him. Recovering from
the first effects of his surprise, he took Waldemar Fitzurse and
De Bracy aside, and put the billet into their hands successively.
"It means," he added, in a faltering voice, "that my brother
Richard has obtained his freedom."