rare goods, master, sent forth yester-even, that
you wot of, I saw myself so far as Lamberhurst, and they be in safe
hands for the further journey."

Mr Roberts did not at once, as might now be done, ask Roger what he was
talking about. The days of Romish ascendency in England were days when
everybody knew that if a man's meaning were not simple and apparent,
there was probably some reason why he dared not speak too plainly, and
it was perilous to ask for an explanation. Mr Roberts looked up into
his manager's face, and at once guessed his meaning. He was seriously
alarmed to see it. How had Roger Hall become possessed of that
dangerous secret, which might bring him to prison if it were known? For
the penalty for merely "aiding and abetting" a heretic was "perpetual
prison." Those who gave a cup of cold water to one of Christ's little
ones did it at the peril of their own liberty.

Let us pause for a moment and try to imagine what that would be to
ourselves. Could we run such risks for Christ's sake--knowing that on
every hand were spies and enemies who would be only too glad to bring us
to ruin, not to speak of those idle gossiping people who do much of the
world's mischief, without intending harm? It would be hard work to
follow the Master when He took the road to Gethsemane. Only love could
do it. Would our love stand that sharp test?

All this passed in a moment. What Mr Roberts said was only--"Good.
Well done." Then he bent his head over the accounts again; raising it
to say shortly--"Hall, prithee shut yon door; the wind bloweth in cold
this morrow." Roger Hall obeyed silently: but a change came over Mr
Roberts as soon as the door was shut on possible listening ears. He
beckoned Roger to come close to him.

"How wist you?" he whispered.

"Guessed it, Master." It was desirable to cut words as short as
possible. "Saw him go up to your house. Thought what should follow."

"You followed them?"

"No; came too late. Searched, and found them in a field near
Goudhurst."

A shudder came over Pandora's father at the thought of what might have
been, if the priest had been the searcher.

"Any one else know?"

"Tom Hartley--true as steel, Master. Two were needful for my plan.
Mistress bade me commend him to you, as he that had done her right good
service."

"He shall fare the better for it. And you likewise."

Roger smiled. "I did but my duty, Master."

"How many folks do so much?" asked M