ch paid a higher
price and represented the modern gallery, occupied the reserved part
on the other side of the rope, and was amusing itself in a general
way, by looking down with supercilious contempt upon the common folk
below.

Edmund stretched himself slightly forward, and peering out of the
darkness of his retreat, was just in time to witness the appearance
of the musicians, who, after making their bow to the audience, passed
along the stage and made their exit through a doorway at the other
end. A profound silence fell upon the company, and as the music of
the violins floated gently on the breeze, the players made their
appearance on the stage.

"What grotesque figures," he exclaimed, as an involuntary smile stole
across his face; "why, they are covered with ivy leaves."

"See how Lord Burleigh cheers," interrupted the delighted ostler, as
the play commenced, "and Sir Henry, too; see! Hang him, that's old
Boniface rooting about; what can he want, I wonder? I believe he is
looking for me."

"Who is Boniface?" meekly asked Edmund.

"The landlord, of course; and your friends are with him, too," was the
curt reply.

Edmund shrank back still further into the shadow of the room. "It
would never do for them to see me here," he explained; "it would upset
all our plans. You must screen me somehow, won't you?"

"Take care of yourself, sir," returned the ostler as he snatched up
the pitchfork and began to toss the hay about. "Take care of yourself,
sir, for he's coming up here, upon my faith he is. Here's luck!" and
the hay flew about in all directions.

No second bidding was required. Edmund scrambled over the heaps of hay
and straw which lay upon the floor and never slackened his haste until
he found himself hidden from view behind the stack in the further-most
corner of the loft. Barely had he succeeded in ensconcing himself
there, when footsteps were heard ascending the ladder, and a moment
later a sharp knocking at the door announced to the only too conscious
conspirators that the landlord was waiting to enter.

"Halloa," shouted the ostler, as he stamped upon the floor with his
fork, to convey the impression that he was busily engaged, at work.
"You can't get in here, I've got my work to do."

Edmund was astonished at the cool impudence of his friend, and he
lifted his head to accord him a nod of approval, but a bundle of straw
which the ostler purposely tossed at him from the other side of the
room made h