a setter forth
of rhymes and other matters for the ticklish ears of sundry well-fed and
frolicksome idlers about the court of King Edward.

The merry knave of whom we speak was, however, in happy ignorance of all
courtly fashions. Provided he obtained his Sunday contributions, and his
Christmas loaf, and his eggs at Easter, little wot he how the world went
round. He was a frequent visitor at the tavern, and De Poininges had
already been distinguished by his especial notice.

From his character, and the means of information arising out of his
multifarious occupations, De Poininges expected that some of the
intelligence he was in search of might be gathered from this source.

The petty hostelry was now in sight, a projecting bush denoting the
vintner's residence. The house was but thinly attended, though clean
rushes and a blazing billet bespoke comfort and good cheer. De Poininges
and his companion turned aside into a smaller chamber, where mine host
was speedily summoned for a flagon of stout liquor. This being supplied,
they addressed themselves to the wooden utensil with right goodwill; and
as the draughts began to quicken, so did the clerk's tongue not fail to
wag the faster. De Poininges adroitly shifted the discourse upon the
business of which he was in quest, whenever there was a tendency to
diverge, no rare occurrence, Thomas being somewhat loth for a while to
converse on the subject. The liquor, however, and his own garrulous
propensities, soon slipped open the budget, and scraps of intelligence
tumbled out which De Poininges did not fail to lay hold of as hints for
another line of examination.

"I reckon so, at any rate, and so said Geoffrey," replied the clerk,
after a pause, subsequent to some close question.

"Sir Thomas, the Lord of Lathom, as you may have heard, he is a
good-hearted soul, and this Margaret de la Bech was companion to his
daughter Isabel. She was ever held as a dame of good family and descent,
though a stranger in these parts. Then she was passing fair, so that
both squire and gentleman, as they looked on her, were nigh devoured
with love. They say, too, her conditions were gentle and winsome as a
child; and"--

"Good," said De Poininges, who found he was slipping away from the main
subject. "But hath not Sir Thomas made some apparent search since her
disappearance from the hall?"

"Save the mark--she was drowned in the moat. So say the gossips," said
the clerk, looking askance. "H