arks of the fray on
Stephen's temple--only half hidden by the dark curly hair. This was of
course a relief, but Stephen could not help suspecting that he had been
last night engaged in some revel about which he desired no inquiries.

Randall came just as the operation was completed. He was in a good deal
of haste, having to restore the groom's dress he wore by the time the
owner had finished the morning toilet of the Lord Cardinal's palfreys.
He could not wait to inquire how Stephen had contrived to fall into the
hands of Fulford, his chief business being to put under safe charge a
bag of coins, the largesse from the various princes and nobles whom he
had diverted--ducats, crowns, dollars, and angels all jingling
together--to be bestowed wherever Perronel kept her store, a matter
which Hal was content not to know, though the pair cherished a hope some
day to retire on it from fooling.

"Thou art a good lad, Steve," said Hal. "I'm right glad thou leavest
this father of mine behind thee. I would not see thee such as he--no,
not for all the gold we saw on the Frenchmen's backs."

This was the jester's farewell, but it was some time before the waggon
was under way, for the carter and one of the smiths were missing, and
were only at noon found in an alehouse, both very far gone in liquor,
and one with a black eye. Kit discoursed on sobriety in the most
edifying manner, as at last he drove heavily along the street, almost
the last in the baggage train of the king and queens--but still in time
to be so included in it so as to save all difficulty at the gates. It
was, however, very late in the evening when they reached Calais, so that
darkness was coming on as they waited their turn at the drawbridge, with
a cart full of scullions and pots and pans before them, and a waggon-
load of tents behind. The warders in charge of the gateway had orders
to count over all whom they admitted, so that no unauthorised person
might enter that much-valued fortress. When at length the waggon rolled
forward into the shadow of the great towered gateway on the outer side
of the moat, the demand was made, who was there? Giles had always
insisted, as leader of the party, on making reply to such questions, and
Smallbones waited for his answer, but none was forthcoming. Therefore
Kit shouted in reply, "Alderman Headley's wain and armourers. Two
Journeymen, one prentice, two smiths, two waggoners."

"Seven!" rejoined the warder. "One--tw