and taking up the candle, the man proceeded a few
steps along the passage, flung open a door, raised the candle above his
head in such a manner as to throw the light into the room, and stood
aside to allow his unwelcome and untimely visitors to enter.

"After you, friend," remarked Phil, waving his hand for the armourer to
precede them. "And light a lamp or two," he added, "we must have more
light than your candle affords."

The man bowed, entered the room, which was in fact the shop, set the
candlestick down upon a bench, and proceeded to light a couple of lamps
which stood on wall brackets. While he was doing this his visitors were
busily engaged in noting the contents of the shop, so far as the
imperfect light afforded by the single candle permitted. The most
prominent objects, and those which therefore first arrested their
attention, were half a dozen complete suits of very fine armour, two of
them being black inlaid with fine gold scroll-work, while the others
were perfectly plain, but highly polished. Then there were back and
breast pieces, greaves, gauntlets, maces, axes, and sheaves of arrows
suspended from the walls, several very fine bows tied up in a bundle in
one corner; and last, but by no means least, a large case resting upon a
counter, in which were set out a number of swords, daggers, and
poniards. There were also three long cases ranged along the base of the
side and back walls of the shop, which the two visitors shrewdly
suspected contained firearms and ammunition.

"Now, Reverend Sirs," said the armourer as, having lighted the two
lamps, he turned and faced the two hooded figures, with a bow, "I am at
your service. Be pleased to give me your commands."

"It is well," retorted Phil. "Now, hark ye, friend Cervantes, you are
credited with being a man of discretion; see to it, then, that ye
justify your reputation by observing the most complete silence regarding
this visit. You understand me?"

"Perfectly, Father," replied the armourer. "No word or hint will I
breathe to a living soul about it."

"Good!" replied Phil. "You will do well to remember that promise, and
keep it. Now, for a reason which does not concern you in the least, we
require certain arms, and they must be the very best you have. To begin
with, therefore, show me the two best swords in your stock."

"Arms! swords!" ejaculated the astonished Cervantes, looking keenly at
his visitors. Then, suddenly seizing the candle