"I do commend thee greatly, Ephraim, for thy sagacity, and the
promptitude wherewith thou hast made me acquainted with these matters.
Not that thou or I have any more interest in this thing than other
godly men who have fled from the persecution of the priests of Baal,
to worship the God of our fathers in the wilderness according to the
promptings of our own conscience, but it doth become every one to keep
his lamp trimmed and burning, and to watch, lest the lion leap into
the fold. I misdoubt me much, that this same Sir Christopher Gardiner,
as he calls himself, or this Knight of the Golden Melice, as some have
it, meaning thereby, doubtless, malice, is no better than some
emissary of Satan, unto which opinion his interposing for this
blaspheming Joy doth strongly incline me. Therefore, good Ephraim,
keep thou thine eyes upon him, and shouldest thou be the instrument
elected by Providence to bring his wicked devices to light, great will
be thy praise and reward."

Having thus spoken, Spikeman waved his hand and turned away, to
intimate that the conference was at an end, but the man remained
standing.

"Wherefore do you delay? You may retire," said Spikeman. "I bethink me
that but a little time remains for preparation for the afternoon
lecture."

"Is not the laborer worthy of his hire?" inquired Ephraim. "Shall they
who work in the Lord's vineyard receive no wage?"

"My mind ran not on the perishable riches of this world," answered the
Assistant, pulling out, with a very ill grace, a well filled leathern
purse, and taking from it a silver piece, which he offered to the
servant, but the fellow had caught sight of gold, and was not so
easily to be satisfied.

"Is thy servant a dog?" he demanded. "The princely Governor would give
me gold for information of less value."

"Take two," replied Spikeman, holding out another, "and be content.
Reflect that you are one of the congregation, and have an equal part
in this inheritance with myself."

"I think not," said Ephraim, looking around the well-filled
store-house. "Is that a proper wage, your worship," he added, glancing
disdainfully at the money, "to offer one, who, on your account, risks
the slitting of his nose, and cutting off of his ears? Make the white
yellow and it will not be too much."

"Would that I had the treasures of Ophir for thy sake," exclaimed
Spikeman; "but I am a ruined man if thou require so much, Ephraim
Pike. But there, take the Carolus, and