This man whocalls himself a dukes agent, and the
hedge schoolmaster at hiselbow. The mummers voice croakedominous as a ravens. The
kitchen door was flung open with a violence which startledthree topers left by the
table.
Alastair crept up to it cautiously, and through a
crack surveyedthe interior.
What the devil do you want me to do,
Perks?
But the discipline of the sport was stronger thana
just wrath.
Put him in the Tower garret, and give Giles the
key. So I bribed a keeper with sixpence to allow meto watch from a covert, as she
took her midday walk. The latter had no skill, but immense reach andstrength and the
uttermost resolution. The thought made the young man dig his nails into his
palms.
Only Lord Cornbury knew his true character,and Lord
Cornbury did not talk.
He saw now why Kyd must linger in the
south.
The other took off his hat and scratched his head.
But,madam, you have a quick brain and a bold heart.
Then follow me close and nota cheep o
talk.
Put up your hands, he cried again, or takea cowards
drubbing. The mummer with the broken head, who had become mysteriously one ofthe
party, answered. No offence took along of a poor mans honesty, kind
sir?
Thatmust be the fox, and if he were not to become
the quarry in itsstead he must join in the chase.
Then the place was quiet again, butit was brighter,
for a new light had come into it.
He had a servant, too, a rough Scot who attended to
myhorse. We praise the arts of peace, but the keenestpleasure of mankind is in
battles. There could be no chance ofovertaking Mr Kyd, whose correspondent was so
culpably in arrears.
But it is time to be about your business
ofescaping, for in three hours it will be daylight. My Mr Sam shall sup in
thebuttery and have a bed from Giles. Then sheslipped an arm inside her
uncles.
He is, as you are aware, a partisan of the young
Prince.
And somewhere in the background of his brain a
voice sounded likea trill of music.