In the inn, sir. I strove to call up the hue and cry to come to the
rescue, but the cowardly hinds were afraid of the thieves, and not one
would come forth."

"I wish they may not be in league with them," said Master Headley.
"See! I was delivered--ay, and in time to save my purse, by these twain
and their good dog. Are ye from these parts, my fair lads?"

"We be journeying from the New Forest to London," said Ambrose. "The
poor dog heard the tumult, and leapt to your aid, sir, and we made after
him."

"'Twas the saints sent him!" was the fervent answer.

"And," (with a lifting of the cap), "I hereby vow to Saint Julian a
hound of solid bronze a foot in length, with a collar of silver, to his
shrine in Saint Faith's, in token of my deliverance in body and goods!
To London are ye bound? Then will we journey on together!"

They were by this time near the porch of a large country hostel, from
the doors and large bay window of which light streamed out. And as the
casement was open, those without could both see and hear all that was
passing within.

The table was laid for supper, and in the place of honour sat a youth of
some seventeen or eighteen years, gaily dressed, with a little feather
curling over his crimson cap, and thus discoursing:--

"Yea, my good host, two of the rogues bear my tokens, besides him whom I
felled to the earth. He came on at me with his sword, but I had my
point ready for him; and down he went before me like an ox. Then came
on another, but him I dealt with by the back stroke as used in the tilt-
yard at Clarendon."

"I trow we shall know him again, sir. Holy saints to think such rascals
should haunt so nigh us," the hostess was exclaiming. "Pity for the
poor goodman, Master Headley. A portly burgher was he, friendly of
tongue and free of purse. I well remember him when he went forth on his
way to Salisbury, little thinking, poor soul, what was before him. And
is he truly sped?"

"I tell thee, good woman, I saw him go down before three of their pikes.
What more could I do but drive my horse over the nearest rogue who was
rifling him?"

"If he were still alive--which Our Lady grant!--the knaves will hold him
to ransom," quoth the host, as he placed a tankard on the table.

"I am afraid he is past," said the youth, shaking his head. "But an if
he be still in the rogues' hands and living, I will get me on to his
house in Cheapside, and arrange with his mother to find the need