thou art, in truth,
doubly welcome, as thy coming is so long after the appointed hour."

Endeavoring to get a better view of him who closely followed Winter,
Catesby made a gesture of interrogation.

Sir Thomas laughed softly. "Ah! Good Catesby!" said he, "thou wert
ever of a most careful nature. Know, then, that yonder cavalier is, in
truth, one of whom I have so often spoken, Guido Fawkes; an old
comrade of the wars, and whom I have brought hither that I might
introduce him to so good a company, a cheerful fire and a goblet of
Sir Percy's stoutest wine."

At the name of Fawkes, pronounced by Winter with an intonation which
would have puzzled any one not familiar with certain matters known
only to a few in England, Catesby, Wright and Digsby cast searching
glances at the new comer, as though seeking to read in the impassive
features of the soldier of fortune some riddle which heretofore had
puzzled them. As to Fawkes, not deigning to notice the evident
curiosity with which the three gentlemen greeted him, he allowed his
cloak to fall upon the floor, walked to the fireplace, and stood with
back to the blaze, his eyes fixed upon the face of Winter.

"Come!" said that personage, accepting the goblet which Percy tendered
and passing it to Fawkes, "you are surprised that I appear among you
with Master Guy at my heels. It was, indeed, a happy venture that
threw us together."

"Happy, forsooth," replied Wright, "but yesterday thou didst tell us
that this same bold captain was even now in Spain, though thou hadst
summoned him hither."

"And so I thought him," said Winter, "fighting among the Dons that the
gold pieces might jingle more merrily in his wallet. Yet he is here,
and to-morrow at my own house we will confer together. What sayest
thou, friend Guido?"

"Faith!" replied Fawkes, setting down the goblet which he had drained
to the bottom, "'twas for that same purpose I came to London, also to
see once more my daughter."

"That thou shalt," broke in Winter heartily, "and a better favored
wench can scarce be found in all the kingdom."

Percy and Catesby exchanged glances. Winter continued:

"But first, perchance, 'twould be to the liking of the company that
I make known the manner of so unexpected a meeting, when, thinking
Friend Guido basked beneath the skies of Spain, I fell across him 'mid
the snows of London."

"'Twas of little import," spake Fawkes gruffly; "a cast of fortune,
the simple drawing of a bla