midday
Then Murgh beckoned to the rider and he came as a man who must . But , throwing down the bow , Grey Dick once more began to labour at the grave like one who takes no further heed of aught save his allotted task . Acour stood before Murgh like a criminal before his judge . `` Man , '' said the awful figure addressing him , `` where have you been and what have you done since last we spoke together in the midday dark at Venice ? '' Now , dragged word by slow word from his unwilling lips , came the answer of the traitor 's heart . `` I fled from the field at Venice because I feared this knight , and you , O Spirit of Death . I journeyed to Avignon , in France , and there strove to possess myself of yonder woman whom here in England , with the help of one Nicholas , I had wed , when she was foully drugged .