him from her for this?"
mourned Master Headley. "Ay, and Master Randall, I grieve as much for
thy nephew, who to my mind hath done nought amiss. A brave lad! A good
lad, who hath saved mine own life. Would that I could do aught for him!
It is a shame!"

"Father," said Dennet, who had crept to the back of his chair, "the King
would save him! Mind you the golden whistle that the grandame keepeth?"

"The maid hath hit it!" exclaimed Randall. "Master alderman! Let me
but have the little wench and the whistle to-morrow morn, and it is
done. How sayest thou, pretty mistress? Wilt thou go with me and ask
thy cousin's life, and poor Stephen's, of the King?"

"With all my heart, sir," said Dennet, coming to him with outstretched
hands. "Oh! sir, canst thou save them? I have been vowing all I could
think of to our Lady and the saints, and now they are going to grant
it!"

"Tarry a little," said the alderman. "I must know more of this. Where
wouldst thou take my child? How obtain access to the King's Grace?"

"Worshipful sir, trust me," said Randall. "Thou know'st I am sworn
servant to my Lord Cardinal, and that his folk are as free of the Court
as the King's own servants. If thine own folk will take us up the river
to Richmond, and there wait for us while I lead the maid to the King, I
can well-nigh swear to thee that she will prevail."

The alderman looked greatly distressed. Ambrose threw himself on his
knees before him, and in an agony entreated him to consent, assuring him
that Master Randall could do what he promised. The alderman was much
perplexed. He knew that his mother, who was confined to her bed by
rheumatism, would be shocked at the idea. He longed to accompany his
daughter himself, but for him to be absent from the sitting of the court
might be fatal to Giles, and he could not bear to lose any chance for
the poor youths.

Meantime an interrogative glance and a nod had passed between Tibble and
Randall, and when the alderman looked towards the former, always his
prime minister, the answer was, "Sir, me seemeth that it were well to do
as Master Randall counselleth. I will go with Mistress Dennet, if such
be your will. The lives of two such youths as our prentices may not
lightly be thrown away, while by God's providence there is any means of
striving to save them."

Consent then was given, and it was further arranged that Dennet and her
escort should be ready at the early hour of half-pa