ayor and serve the King's writ upon
him, master," grumbled Grey Dick as they rode up Middlegate Street. "You
wasted good time in a shooting bout at Windsor against my will, and now
you'll waste more time in a talking match at Dunwich. And the sun grows
low, and the Frenchmen may have heard and be on the wing, and who can
see to lay a shaft at night?"

"Nay, man," answered Hugh testily, "first I must know how she fares."

"The lady Eve will fare neither better nor worse for your knowing about
her, but one with whom you should talk may fare further, for doubtless
his spies are out. But have your way and leave me to thank God that no
woman ever found a chance to clog my leg, perhaps because I was not born
an ass."

It is doubtful if Hugh heard these pungent and practical remarks, for
ere Dick had finished speaking them, he was off his horse, and hammering
at the Preceptory door. Some while passed before any answer came, for
Sir Andrew was walking in the garden beyond the church, in no happy mind
because of certain rumours that had reached him, and the old nun Agnes,
spying armed men and not knowing who they were, was afraid to open. So
it came about that fifteen minutes or more went by before at length Hugh
and his godsire stood face to face.

"How is Eve and where? Why is she not with you, Father?" he burst out.

"One question at a time, son, for whose safe return I thank God. I know
not how she is, and she is not with me because she is not here. She has
returned to her father at Blythburgh."

"Why?" gasped Hugh. "You swore to keep her safe."

"Peace, and you shall learn," and as shortly as he could he told him.

"Is that all?" asked Hugh doubtfully, for he saw trouble in Sir Andrew's
face.

"Not quite, son. Only to-day I have learned that Acour and his folk
never went to London, and are back again at Blythburgh Manor."

"So much the better, Father, for now I have the King's warrant addressed
to the Mayor and all his Grace's subject in Dunwich, to take these
Frenchmen, living or dead."

"Ah! But I have learned also that her father holds Eve a prisoner,
suffering her to speak with none, and--one lamb among those wolves--Oh!
God! why didst Thou suffer my wisdom to fail me? Doubtless for some good
purpose--where is my faith? Yet we must act. Hie, you there," he called
to one of the men-at-arms, "go to Master de Cressi's house and bid him
meet us by the market-cross mounted and armed, with all his sons and
people