John de Lacey, who was reading to her out of Roger Ascham's treatise
on Archery. As the knight stepped into the room the remembrance of the
previous day's mishap was strongly brought back to his memory.

"What ho! sir knight," he exclaimed; "better, eh!"

"A little stiff about the joints, mine host," he replied, "for which I
have thee to thank."

"Tush, man, don't mention it," laughingly returned the baron. "There's
no question of thanks betwixt me and thee."

"They gave me some hot sack, and then rolled me in the river," whined
De Lacey, "and the pity of it is I cannot remember which of them it
was, or else I'd--I'd--"

Sir John de Lacey paused to consider what course of action he would
have taken, but ere he had resolved, the door opened, and Sir Thomas
Stanley entered, bringing in with him the Lady Margaret.

"Well, well," returned Sir George, "since it baffles thy wits to
discover whom it was, thou hadst best have the grace of forgiveness,
it will become thee well. But a truce to this. I came to counsel with
you of the murder. Any more news, Sir Thomas?"

"I hear that the old hag, Durden, had a quarrel with the pedlar the
day before his death," answered Stanley, "and she told him to his face
that he would come to no gentle end."

"They have often quarrelled," added Margaret, who felt bound to add