'What think you of my find, Dad?' I asked.

'A man of parts and of piety,' he answered; 'but in truth he has brought
me news so much after my heart, that he could not be unwelcome were he
the Pope of Rome.'

'What news, then?'

'This, this!' he cried joyously, plucking the letter out of his bosom.
'I will read it to you, lad. Nay, perhaps I had best sleep the night
upon it, and read it to-morrow when our heads are clearer. May the Lord
guide my path, and confound the tyrant! Pray for light, boy, for my
life and yours may be equally at stake.'




Chapter VI.


Of the Letter that came from the Lowlands

In the morning I was up betimes, and went forthwith, after the country
fashion, to our quest's room to see if there was aught in which I could
serve him. On pushing at his door, I found that it was fastened, which
surprised me the more as I knew that there was neither key nor bolt upon
the inside. On my pressing against it, however, it began to yield, and
I could then see that a heavy chest which was used to stand near the
window had been pulled round in order to shut out any intrusion.