read it. He
will conduct you to mine uncle, for he hath free access to the court."

"What's his name?"

"Sir Percevall Hart. His is the demesne with the high tower of burnt
bricks, near the west end of Tower Street. But stay! 'Twere better you
did seek him at the Boar's Head Tavern in Eastcheap."

"Sir Percevall Hart--Boar's Head--Eastcheap. That's in London City, I
s'pose."

"Yes--yes," said Bacon, impatiently. "Any watchman or passer-by will
direct you. Now, sir, 'tis for you to fulfil your promise."

"All right," said Droop. "It's my innin's--so here goes."

In a few minutes the two men had changed their costumes and stood
looking at each other with a very evident disrelish of their respective
situations.

Droop held his chin high in the air to avoid contact with the stiff
ruff, while his companion turned up the collar of his nineteenth-century
coat and held it together in front as though he feared taking cold.

"Why, Master Droop," said Bacon, glancing down in surprise at his
friend's nether extremities, "what giveth that unwonted spiral look to
your legs? They be ribbed as with grievous weals."

Droop tried to look down, but his wide ruff prevented him. So he put one
foot on the table and, bringing his leg to the horizontal, gazed
dismally down upon it.

"Gosh all hemlock--them's my underdrawers!" he exclaimed. "These here
ding-busted long socks o' yourn air so all-fired tight the blamed
drawers hez hiked up in ridges all round! Makes me look like a bunch o'
bananas in a bag!" he said, crossly.

"Well--well--a truce to trivial complaints," said Bacon, hurriedly,
fearful that Droop might withdraw his consent to the rescue. "Here are
my cloak and hat, friend; and now away, I pray you, and remember--ride
to southward, that I may have a clear field to London."

Droop donned the hat and cloak and gazed at himself sorrowfully in the
glass.

"Darned ef I don't look like a cross 'tween a Filipino and a crazy
cowboy!" he muttered.

"And think you I have not suffered in the exchange, Master Droop?" said
Bacon, reproachfully. "In very truth, I were not worse found had I
shrunken one half within mine own doublet!"

After some further urging, Droop was induced to descend the stairs, and
soon the two men stood together at the breach in the brick wall. They
heard the low whinnying of a horse close at hand.

"That is my steed," Bacon whispered. "You must mount with instant speed
and away with all haste to the