King Edward himself as the author of the wrong. I trust, however, that we
may capture the man of the swamp, and that the truth may be wrung from
him."

By this time they had arrived at the Guildhall, and making their way into
the court, Geoffrey demanded private speech with the Lord Mayor.

"Can you not say in open court what is you business?" the Lord Mayor asked.



"I fear that if I did it would defeat the ends of justice."

Retiring with the chief magistrate into an inner room, Geoffrey desired
Walter to tell his story. This he did, ending by saying that he regretted
much that he had not at once told his master what he had heard; but that,
although he deemed evil was intended, he did not know that murder was
meant, and thought it but concerned the carrying off of some damsel, and
that this he had intended, by the aid of his comrades, to prevent.

"You have done well, Master Walter, since that be your name," the
magistrate said. "That you might have done better is true, for had you
acted otherwise you might have prevented murder from being done. Still, one
cannot expect old heads upon young shoulders. Give me the names of those
who were with you, for I shall doubtless receive a message from Westminster
this morning to know if I have heard aught of the affair. In the meantime
we must take steps to secure these pirates of the marsh. The ground is
across the river, and lies out of my jurisdiction."

"It is for that reason," Geoffrey said, "that I wished that the story