“My news is sure,” the grand master said; “but I deem not that you are in any way to blame in the matter.  The plot has been matured, not as a consequence of any laxity of discipline in the prison, but from deliberate treachery, against which no mortal being can guard.  The traitors are two of the officials who, being members of the Order, none would suspect of connivance in such a deed.  With them are several —­ I know not how many —­ under officials, warders, and guards; all these have been bribed by an emissary from Constantinople, now in the town, and who is doubtless furnished with large means.  It is well, indeed, for the Order, that this terrible act of treachery has been discovered in time to prevent the plot from coming to a head, for the loss of all our galleys, to say nothing of the disgrace of having been thus bearded by slaves, would be a very heavy blow to it.

“Now that the house is safely guarded, William Neave, you can admit the rest of the knights, who are waiting outside.  Then you will, in the first place, conduct a party, and post them so that they may arrest, as they come out to perform their share of the work, all officials, warders, and guards, of whatever rank.  When you have posted knights to carry out this —­ and I need not say that the operation must be performed as silently as possible, for it is above all things necessary that the men concerned shall have no suspicion that their plot has been discovered —­ you will conduct other parties to the various rooms occupied by the slaves.  The guards on duty inside will be made prisoners.  The doors will then be locked and barred as before.  The appearance of the knights and the arrest of the guards will be sufficient to show the slaves that their plot has been discovered, and there will be no fear of their making any attempt to carry it into execution.  I will myself post the main body of the knights in the courtyard.  The arrest of the guards is to be carried out at once, as all those not concerned in the plot would be killed when the hour comes for the rising.  Therefore this part of the business must be carried out immediately.  I should not, however, lead the guards away to a cell, for the less tramping of feet the better.  Therefore I shall place two knights in each room, and beg them to remain inside in charge until the traitors outside are secured.”

The knights outside were now marched up.  The grand master ordered half those of Auvergne to go round to the main gate, which would be opened for them by the governor; they were to enter quietly, and remain in a body close to it until they received further orders.  Sir John Kendall told off the rest of the knights to the various duties of watching the houses occupied by the officials and warders, and of entering the prison rooms and remaining in them on guard.  The governor, with his private servants, bearing a supply of torches, was to lead them to the various cells, and unlock the doors.  The knights were enjoined to move as noiselessly as possible, and to avoid all clashing of arms against armour.