gain. Therefore, I pray you, appoint no servant meanwhile.
And remember, not a word to the maiden how you came to find her."

He took me for a simple fool, and went off very content with the paper
in his pocket, and leaving the purse with me. So I knew I was rid of
him and his fellow dog, Merriman, for well-nigh two weeks; and by that
time the maiden and her party would be beyond all reach. As to what
would happen when they returned from their trip,--well, I had two hands
and a sword as well as others.

But whether they came back or not, I know not; for weeks went by, and I
forgot all about them, when one night, as my master and I worked
secretly, with closed door, at the press, I feeling very desolate to
know that the whole house was empty, and that were I to open the parlour
door, there would meet me no merry note of singing from a sweet voice
within--while we worked thus, I say, there came a rustling at the
threshold, and presently a piece of paper was thrust under the door. By
the dim rush light we took and read it. It said simply this--

_Have a care, Walgrave! The Wolfe prowleth o' nights_.

"What make you of that?" asked I of my master.

"It comes from a friend," said he, "with evil news. For ever since this
greedy John Wolfe was appointed beadle of the Company in room of Timothy
Ryder, he hath had a jealous eye on me; and being an old offender
himself, he is like to have no terms with others who do as he once did.
Humphrey, our hands are too far gone in this business to pull back now;
therefore, Wolfe or no Wolfe, we must end it."

"And how?" said I; "since he will be here to-morrow, and find two
presses where there should be but one; and the libels hanging here yet
damp from the printing?"

"He must find neither," said my master. "We have time yet to give him
the slip."

Then he told me how it was arranged, should this mischance befall, which
he had expected long since, that the secret press and stuff pertaining
to it, should be removed to Mistress Crane's house near the Dowgate
(where Mistress Walgrave now lodged), and thence taken secretly to her
country house at Moulsey. And since there was no time to lose, we set-
to then and there to take the press to pieces and bestow it and the
printed sheets in barrels, which, when all was done, my master bade me
trundle to the river's edge and place on a wherry, and so convey to
Dowgate.

The which, with much sweat and labour, I accomplished, and abo