The door was a heavy thing, and it was securely
locked. Were chasingCranmer and dare not lose a moment. He lowered his voice still
further, and, leaning forward, spoke inher ear.
The silent room with its eerie green light had the
effect ofchecking Nantys new ardour.
But ayont Lynn he has the wind o ye, and has the
choice o a dozenways. He stooped, poked in the basket, and felt the bandaged leg.
Nanty waited till the oak grove was in deep dusk before he enteredit. He had no
weapon, noteven a pocket-knife, with which he could assault door or window. Im in
the dark, but maybe Bob Muschats no.
On her head was a littletricorne hat, which might
have been coquettish, had it not beenpathetic. At the recollection the womans
voicetrailed off into tears.
He heardflint struck upon steel, and a candle
flared up. Her eyes opened as if she were hearing voices in a dream. Damme, she must
be a good woman, and I defy any man to deny it.
Theres ten guineas in Johns pocketif he can fill
the bill, beside a handsome price for the hire. Ifthey havena, weel, the Almightys
no kind to us.
Ye maunna pass Lynn, sir, till yeve seen huzand
Bob. I reckon twas the fastestturn-out in Jacks hands between here and Norwich. Im
for forty winks, for God knows when Imay get sleep again.
Not for one moment could heeavesdrop on this tragic
figure. Cautiously he moved his head, and found that the action did notgreatly pain
him. Thespaniel got to his feet and lifted the wounded paw. In the drawer of the
book-case were plans and maps, which at firstsight seemed innocent
enough.
The thoughtmaddened him, for here was the day of
the crisis, and he was ahelpless log.