e have just passed
the royal palace of Bridewell, and from here every foot of our way will
have something to interest the curious and inquiring mind."

Johnnie stared down at the gray old palace, and looked questioningly at
the ruins that lay next to it on the east.

"All that's left of the monastery of the Whitefriars," said Jeffreys.
"The remains of monkish buildings cumber the ground outside of London
walls as well as within. Some say 'twas a wicked thing to pull down so
many fair edifices; others declare they were no better than
plague-spots and heretical hovels on the fair face of a Protestant
country, and that we are well rid of them."

"I have noticed," said Morgan, "that royal favourites from King Harry's
time onwards have done most of the pulling down. The common folk
appear to have had little voice in the matter, and not a finger in the
lifting of the plunder."

"Quite so! quite so! Now let us step into the roadway. 'Tis dusty
enough, and not innocent of some ugly holes, but 'tis safer for a
little while. See those hangdog-looking fellows slouching before us?
Ah! I need not tell thee what they are. Step out; let's see the
sport."

There was a wild _melee_ about a hundred yards ahead. A fellow had
made a cut with his dagger at a lady's purse, and had been promptly
knocked down by her cavalier. At the sound of the would-be robber's
cry a dozen other rascals had rushed to his aid, and from the narrow
lanes and alleys a horde of ruffians--male and female--had been
vomited. They set upon the lady and her companion with cudgels and
knives, and the gentleman was already lying in the dust. Peace-loving
pedestrians had rushed to their aid, and a group of law students bore
down into the fray in gallant style. Master Jeffreys whipped out his
blade and ran, and Morgan went with him stride for stride. But the mob
of ruffians disappeared as quickly as it had come forth; the cutpurse
had been rescued, and the plunder he desired snatched by a slatternly
wench.

Morgan uttered a hunting cry, and was dashing down a dim passage
between two houses when Jeffreys jerked him back. "Not a foot farther
if thou dost value thy life!"

Johnnie stopped, and saw in astonishment that no man was attempting
pursuit.

"Are they to escape red-handed?" he cried.

His companion shrugged his shoulders. "He'd be an over-bold man who'd
venture into the alleys and courts of Alsatia with less than fifty good
swords at his b