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negotiations. Corbett sat, detached and objective, aware that both de Craon and his master, Philip IV, were quietly studying him. The phrases 'allodial', 'fief, 'feudal rights and suzerainty' were bantered like feathers round the room and Corbett believed the French intended to hold on to the duchy for as long as possible. Yet, both he and Lancaster, who communicated with him in hushed whispers, also came to the conclusion that the French were not just playing for time, their seizure of Gascony being only part of a greater game.
    The arguments swept back and forth across the table until both sides agreed to continue the debate at some future date. However, there were other points to raise and Lancaster came rudely to the point.
    'Your Grace,' he said brusquely, 'The English agent in Paris, Simon Fauvel, has disappeared.'
    'Not disappeared,' de Craon sardonically observed. 'Monsieur Fauvel, I regret to say, is dead. He was killed, probably by one of the beggar bands who roam the streets.' His words shocked the English into angry murmurs of protest.
    'This is unacceptable!' Lancaster retorted. 'We are' attacked outside Paris, the English king's agent is murdered in the city! Is the French king's writ so worthless that the sanctity of protected envoys can be so easily violated?'
    'Monsieur Lancaster!' Philip exclaimed, 'Look at the facts, our envoys have been attacked in England: the assault outside Paris was most regrettable and you have our apologies and our assurances that the City Provost is searching high and low for the culprits. As for Monsieur Fauvel,' he added crisply, it would appear that your agent ignored our advice. He was out alone, at night, and contrary to our ordinances, walking the streets after curfew. Of course we regret these incidents, but there are only two, are there not?' Lancaster saw the trap and neatly avoided it. Philip was baiting them, hoping they would make some reference to the attack on the Saint Christopher and the death of Nicholas Poer. Corbett knew that if Lancaster raised these issues, he would have to explain the secret work both the Saint Christopher and Poer were involved in. Philip IV, however, was unwilling to leave the matter.
    'Your master, our sweet cousin,' he commented, 'is going through unsettled times. In his letters to me he makes veiled references to treason and traitors around him.' Philip spread his hands slowly. 'But what can we do?' The English envoys, Corbett included, were too surprised to answer such an insult, so Lancaster rose, bowed and beckoned at his colleagues to withdraw.

FIVE
    The meeting afterwards was brief but sombre, Lancaster neatly summarising the English position: Philip would hold onto Gascony as long as possible and only hand it back on terms fully advantageous to the French. Philip IV also believed he had the upper hand (the rest bitterly agreed with this) and intended to develop a great design or plan against Edward. The most worrying item, however, was Philip's open baiting with his insinuations that he knew there was a traitor at the heart of Edward's council, Fauvel's death and the attack on the Beauvais road only rubbing salt into an open wound. Lancaster's colleagues reacted predictably; Richmond flustered, Eastry coolly observed they had done all they could and should leave while Waterton remained silent, seemingly anxious to be away. At last Lancaster dismissed them but asked Corbett to stay. The Earl closed the chamber door and came swiftly to the point.
    'I do not like you, Corbett,' he observed, 'you are secretive, too withdrawn. You have no experience of diplomacy yet my august brother has sent you here and evidently trusts you, more,' Lancaster bitterly added, 'more than he does me!' Corbett just stared back so the Earl continued, 'I suggest you were sent, Master Clerk, to search out this traitor, and may I suggest, you should begin.'
    'If I did,' Corbett replied sarcastically. 'Where would you suggest I start?'
    'Well,' the Earl tartly