might be dispatched forthwith, and the Lady Jane should be at
Harwich, two days later.

By the time they had determined upon this, the inmates of the
hostelry were astir, and from the innyard came to them the
noise of bustle and preparation for the day.

Presently they left the chamber where they had sat so long, and
at the yard pump the Tavern Knight performed a rude morning
toilet. Thereafter, on a simple fare of herrings and brown
ale, they broke their fast; and ere that meal was done,
Kenneth, pale and worn, with dark circles round his eyes,
entered the common room, and sat moodily apart. But when later
Hogan went to see to the dispatching of his messenger, Crispin
rose and approached the youth.

Kenneth watched him furtively, without pausing in his meal. He
had spent a very miserable night pondering over the future,
which looked gloomy enough, and debating whether - forgetting
and ignoring what had passed - he should return to the genteel
poverty of his Scottish home, or accept the proffered service
of this man who announced himself - and whom he now believed -
to be his father. He had thought, but he was far from having
chosen between Scotland and France, when Crispin now greeted
him, not without constraint.

"Jocelyn," he said, speaking slowly, almost humbly. "In an
hour's time I shall set out to return to Marleigh to fulfil my
last night's promise to you. How I shall accomplish it I
scarce know as yet; but accomplish it I shall. I have arranged