Looking, he perceived a group of men a little distance down the
street. "There be some worthies," exclaimed he, "who can perhaps
direct me to the hostelry." As he approached he saw they were
regarding a figure lying upon the ground.

"Nay, Master Alyn," said one, "thou hadst best do naught but let it
await removal by the King's guard; if thou disturb the body surely
questions might be asked which 'twould bother thy head to answer."

"Beshrew my heart," exclaimed the man addressed, who, judging from his
appearance, was a small tradesman, "I can ill afford to have this evil
thing lying upon my step, preventing what little trade might drift
this way."

Winter now came up with the group, and as they turned at the sound of
his footsteps, he could see that the object of their remarks was a man
lying face downward on the flagging, and his attitude of relaxation
showed that death had overtaken him.

"What hast thou here, my men?" Sir Thomas exclaimed, "some victim of a
drunken brawl?"

"That we cannot make out," answered the first speaker, touching his
hat, on perceiving--by his dress and manner--that the questioner was a
gentleman, possibly one in authority, "but for truth, he has been
stuck as pretty as a boar at Yule-tide. Thou mayst look for thyself,"
he added, with some little pride, as of a showman exhibiting his
stock, and laying hold of the body by the shoulders he turned it over,
so that the distorted face gazed up at the sky.

Winter started at the sight, unable to repress a cry, for before him
was the body of his servant. His wish had indeed been fulfilled; those
silent lips would tell no tales.

"What, good sir!" cried he who seemed to be the spokesman of the
party, on noting the white face of the other; "doth thy stomach turn
so readily?"

"Nay," replied Winter, raising a gauntlet to hide his emotion, "but
they who meet death suddenly are seldom sweet to look upon,
and--and--for truth, I have not yet broke my fast; canst direct me to
a certain hostelry in this neighborhood known as 'The Sign of the
Leopard?'"

"I can, Master, for many a pot of ale I've drank in that same place.
Look," he continued, pointing, "if thou wilt follow this street until
the second turning to the right, from there thou canst readily see the
tavern's sign."

"My thanks to thee," said Winter, taking a coin from his purse and
handing it to the man. His eyes again for a moment turned upon the
prostrate figure. "And my friends," a