PUZZLING TIMES AT SOLVAMHALL CASTLE
"Truly, Sir Hugh," said the bewildered chief builder, "I know
not how it may be done."
'
'
By my halidame ! " exclaimed De Fortibus in pretended rage,
" Let it be done forthwith. I trow thou art but a sorry craftsman,
if thou canst not, forsooth, set such a window in a keep wall."
It will be noticed that Sir Hugh ignores the thickness of the bars.
37.—
The Crescent and the Cross.
When Sir Hugh's kinsman, Sir John de Collingham, came back
from the Holy Land, he brought with him a flag bearing the sign of
a crescent, as shown in the illustration. It was noticed that De
Fortibus spent much time in examining this crescent, and comparing
it with the cross borne by the Crusaders on their own banners.
One day, in the presence of a goodly company, he made the follow-
ing striking announcement:
" I have thought much of late, friends and masters, of the
conversion of the crescent to the cross, and this has led me to the
finding of matters at which I marvel greatly, for that which I shall
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