ou shalt have the pardon instantly, Merriman," said the Cardinal, and
beckoning to one of the attendants who clustered round the door, he gave
orders that a clerk should instantly, and very briefly, make out the
form. Sir Thomas More, hearing the name of Headley, added that for him
indeed the need of haste was great, since he was one of the fourteen
sentenced to die that morning.

Quipsome Hal was interrogated as to how he had come, and the Cardinal
and Sir Thomas agreed that the river would be as speedy a way of
returning as by land; but they decided that a King's pursuivant should
accompany him, otherwise there would be no chance of forcing his way in
time through the streets, guarded by the Howard retainers.

As rapidly as was in the nature of a high officer's clerk to produce a
dozen lines, the precious document was indicted, and it was carried at
last to Dennet, bearing Henry's signature and seal. She held it to her
bosom, while, accompanied by the pursuivant, who--happily for them--was
interested in one of the unfortunate fourteen, and therefore did not
wait to stand on his dignity, they hurried across to the place where
they had left the barge--Tibble and Ambrose joining them on the way.
Stephen was safe. Of his life there could be no doubt, and Ambrose
almost repented of feeling his heart so light while Giles's fate hung
upon their speed.

The oars were plied with hearty good-will, but the barge was somewhat
heavy, and by and by coming to a landing-place where two watermen had a
much smaller and lighter boat, the pursuivant advised that he should go
forward with the more necessary persons, leaving the others to follow.
After a few words, the light weights of Tibble and Dennet prevailed in
their favour, and they shot forward in the little boat.

They passed the Temple--on to the stairs nearest Cheapside--up the
street. There was an awful stillness, only broken by heavy knells
sounding at intervals from the churches. The back streets were thronged
by a trembling, weeping people, who all eagerly made way for the
pursuivant, as he called, "Make way, good people--a pardon!"

They saw the broader space of Cheapside. Horsemen in armour guarded it,
but they too opened a passage for the pursuivant. There was to be seen
above the people's heads a scaffold. A fire burnt on it--the gallows
and noosed rope hung above.

A figure was mounting the ladder. A boy! Oh, Heavens! would it be too
late? Who was it? T