owever, he withdrew
carelessly probably because he found he had not the means of making the
small donation which he had meditated.

The cutler proceeded to say, as he bowed and was about to withdraw, that
he saw there would be merry days yet in Old England, and that Bilboa
blades would fetch as good a price as ever. "I remember," he said,
"gentlemen, though I was then but a 'prentice, the demand for weapons
in the years forty-one and forty-two; sword blades were more in request
than toothpicks, and Old Ironsides, my master, took more for rascally
Provant rapiers, than I dare ask nowadays for a Toledo. But, to be sure,
a man's life then rested on the blade he carried; the Cavaliers and
Roundheads fought every day at the gates of Whitehall, as it is like,
gentlemen, by your good example, they may do again, when I shall be
enabled to leave my pitiful booth, and open a shop of better quality.
I hope you will recommend me, gentlemen, to your friends. I am always
provided with ware which a gentleman may risk his life on."

"Thank you, good friend," said Julian, "I prithee begone. I trust we
shall need thy ware no more for some time at least."

The cutler retired, while the dwarf hollowed after him downstairs, that
he would call on him soon, and equip himself with a longer blade, and
one more proper for action; although, he said, the little weapon he
had did well enough for a walking-sword, or in a skirmish with such
_canaille_ as they had been engaged with.

The cutler returned at this summons, and agreed to pleasure the little
man with a weapon more suitable to his magnanimity; then, as if the
thought had suddenly occurred to him, he said, "But, gentlemen, it will
be wild work to walk with your naked swords through the Strand, and
it can scarce fail to raise the rabble again. If you please, while you
repose yourselves here, I can fit the blades with sheaths."

The proposal seemed so reasonable, that Julian and his father gave
up their weapons to the friendly cutler, an example which the dwarf
followed, after a moment's hesitation, not caring, as he magnificently
expressed it, to part so soon with the trusty friend which fortune had
but the moment before restored to his hand. The man retired with the
weapons under his arm; and, in shutting the door behind him, they heard
him turn the key.

"Did you hear that?" said Sir Geoffrey to his son--"and we are
disarmed!"

Julian, without reply, examined the door, which was fas