branched off at right angles. The streams flowed uncovered
through the streets which added greatly to the picturesqueness of the
place.

Lord Stafford turned into one of the side streets, and drew rein before a
small inn, The Mermaid by name. As he rode into the courtyard the host
hurried forward to greet him.

"Good my lord," he said obsequiously, "light, and grace my poor house, I
pray you. There be one here who hath waited since yester e'en to see
you."

"Beshrew me, sayst thou so!" ejaculated Lord Stafford. "I thought not to
meet with any here. But oft must a man's pleasuring be staid for by
affairs of business. Is it not true, good Giles?"

"Marry, 'tis only too true," replied the host.

"Where is he that would speak with me, Giles?"

"In the east parlor, my lord. I crave forbearance, sir, for placing any
in the room which is reserved for your use, but I knew not that you were
about to fare this way."

"Trouble not thyself concerning the matter, good Giles," returned his
lordship. "Come, Francis."

Tossing his cloak to Francis he strode toward the entrance of the tavern.
The girl threw the garment over her arm, started to follow him, and then
paused in sheerest confusion at finding the eyes of the myrmidons of the
inn upon her.

Donning male attire in her own home had been mere sport, but with the
curious eyes of strangers upon her the girl felt painfully embarrassed.

"Look to thyself, boy," came in sharp tones from her father, and there
was a note of warning in the faint emphasis that he placed upon the word
boy.

Thus adjured Francis collected her wits, and, looking neither to the
right nor to the left, she followed after her father with all the
boldness which she could assume. Lord Stafford wended his way to the
east parlor of the inn with the air of being perfectly familiar with the
place, giving his orders to the rotund host as he went.

"'Tis but a short time that we will trouble thee, Giles," he said. "Serve
us with dinner, I pray you. We will rest for a time, and then speed
onward. Anthony," he ejaculated as the host threw open the door of the
chamber, "it is thou?"

"'Tis even I, my lord," answered a tall young man coming forward. "I had
news that you were coming this way and hurried hither to greet you."

"Right glad am I to see thee, Babington," was Stafford's rejoinder. "I
have much to say to thee. Hast dined?"

"No, my lord."

"Then let us eat, and afterward there will be leisure