y name Dexter, if any
one, could tell him what had befallen the nunnery maiden. Whereupon he
had travelled all the way to London in a day, and had not been able to
hear of me. But, spying us just now in a boat, as he stood near London
Bridge, he had taken craft and followed us, and here he was, ready to
take up his charge, and, whether we willed it or no, look after the
maiden.

This was a great joy to us all, not least of all to the maiden herself,
to whom it seemed like a message from an absent one.

So it came to pass, when on the morrow the travellers started westward,
there were five of them. And methought if any harm came to those two
fair women with such champions to guard them, it would indeed go hard
with all.

They had not been gone three days, and the desolate house, occupied only
by me and my master, seemed as void and dull as ever, when one afternoon
who should step into the shop but a fine gentleman whom I had never seen
before, but whom I guessed to be no friend, as soon as I saw him.

"I am told," said he, "that an honest 'prentice, one Dexter, dwelleth
here."

"You be told very right," said I, affecting to be as simple as he wished
me. "I am he."

"To be sure, honest fellow," said he, "we have met before."

"Where might that be?" asked I.

"No matter where," said he, "but I remember you for a fine honest
fellow. And, indeed, 'tis for that reason I am come. I have but lately
lost my servant, a drunken scoundrel whom I am well rid of. And hearing
from more than one a likely report of you, and knowing you myself that
you are the sort of fellow I need--honest, strong in the arm, and quick
of wit--I resolved to offer you the service. And as for wage, if you
will come, marry I value a good servant so well that there shall be no
question betwixt us on that score. Here is a purse for thy first
month's service; and if you be the man I take you for, you shall have
the like each month you serve me."

"I am mightily beholden to you," said I, gaping at the money and
smelling villainy in it all. "And by your leave, Sir Captain, what may
be your service?"

"Easy enough for a lad of thy mettle. Indeed, whether you take my
service or no, you shall keep that purse, provided you tell me where a
certain maiden, ward to the Lady Cantire and daughter to the O'Neill, is
now?"

Now I guessed whose messenger I talked with, and what his business might
be with me.

It surprised me that he came to the p