anyway you had better
have them in readiness, we may possibly want them for the return
journey to-morrow: tend them well;" and leaving a few final
instructions, Sir Thomas Stanley, for he it was, passed out of the
stables and entered the parlour of the inn.

Sir George Vernon was so engrossed in poring over a document which
lay stretched out on the table before him that he did not notice
the approach of his friend, and it was not until the latter inquired
whether the meal was already ordered that the baron looked up and saw
him.

"Oh, it's you," he exclaimed; "yes, we shall fall to directly; but I
want you just to look at this first."

"What is it," inquired Stanley, "the summons again?"

"The summons, of course," replied Sir George, as he thrust it into the
other's hands.

"What did the attorney say?"

"He said it was a bad case; a very bad case. He said, in fact, that he
never came across a more unpromising case for a client of his since he
set himself up as a lawyer."

"Humph!" returned Sir Thomas, "they always do say so. I tell you it
will come out all right in the end."

"Happen so; but he says the ordeal would go for nothing, they don't
count now in courts of law here. They would do if the trial came off
at Derby, I know."

"Aye," assented his friend, "I'll warrant it would count there, for
no one would dare to resist thee; but you see, Sir George, it's at
London, and that makes all the difference."

"Warder, read the summons through," pursued the baron. "I could not
understand it, of course, I'm not much of a lawyer; but he says 'tis
the work of that villainous locksmith. I wish I had hanged him at the
same time, and then--"

"Well, what then?"

"It's too late, now," said Sir George, bitterly. "If they do condemn
me I shall claim the benefit of clergy. I know some of the prayers,
and if I can only find the right page I shall get on well enough. They
will only fine me, though, at worst."

"But you have enemies at Court, remember."

"Well, let them do their worst. I shall not disgrace myself when
the time comes, and in the meantime I will address myself to Lord
Burleigh; he is all-powerful now."

"And if he fail us," added Sir Thomas, "I will take thee to Sir
Nicholas Bacon."

"The Lord Keeper?"

"Yes, why not?"

"He is a hard man."

"He is honest, and will take no bribe, if that is what you mean, Sir
George; but if there is a flaw in the proceedings he will point it
out for us, and tha