across the moor, but the deep morass on either side prevented him from
leaving the road until he had passed the cottage.

As he came abreast of our ambush we both sprang out from the open door
and barred his way. I have heard the Independent minister at Emsworth
give an account of Satan's appearance, but if the worthy man had been
with us that day, he need not have drawn upon his fancy. The man's dark
face whitened into a sickly and mottled pallor, while he drew back with
a long sharp intaking of the breath and a venomous flash from his black
eyes, glancing swiftly from right to left for some means of escape. For
an instant his hand shot towards his sword-hilt, but his reason told him
that he could scarce expect to fight his way past us. Then he glanced
round, but any retreat would lead him back to the men whom he had
betrayed. So he stood sullen and stolid, with heavy, downcast face and
shifting, restless eye, the very type and symbol of treachery.

'We have waited some time for you, Master John Derrick,' said I. 'You
must now return with us to the town.'

'On what grounds do you arrest me?' he asked, in hoarse, broken tones.
'Where is your warranty? Who hath given you a commission to molest
travellers upon the King's highway?'

'I have my Colonel's commission,' I answered shortly. 'You have been
once already to Feversham's camp this morning.'

'It is a lie,' he snarled fiercely. 'I do but take a stroll to enjoy the
air.'

'It is the truth,' said Reuben. 'I saw you myself on your return. Let us
see that paper which peeps from your doublet.'

'We all know why you should set this trap for me,' Derrick cried
bitterly. 'You have set evil reports afloat against me, lest I stand in
your light with the Mayor's daughter. What are you that you should dare
to raise your eyes to her! A mere vagrant and masterless man, coming
none know whence. Why should you aspire to pluck the flower which has
grown up amongst us? What had you to do with her or with us? Answer me!'

'It is not a matter which I shall discuss, save at a more fitting time
and place,' Reuben answered quietly. 'Do you give over your sword and
come back with us. For my part, I promise to do what I can to save your
life. Should we win this night, your poor efforts can do little to harm
us. Should we lose, there may be few of us left to harm.'

'I thank you for your kindly protection,' he replied, in the same white,
cold, bitter manner, unbuckling his sword as h