rried a basket, which held a bottle of thick cream, a dozen
new-laid eggs, and a roll of butter; and as he came through Canterbury,
he added to these country luxuries the town dainties of a bag of dates
and half a pound each of those costly spices, much used and liked at
that time--cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. On these articles he spent 7
shillings 8 pence--8 pence for the dates, 3 shillings for cinnamon, 2
shillings 6 pence for cloves, and 1 shilling 6 pence for nutmegs.
Lastly, he bought a sugarloaf, then an unusual luxury, which cost him 7
pence. The basket was now quite full, and leaving his horse at the Star
Inn, he went up to the prison, and struck with his dagger on the great
bell, which was then the general mode of ringing it. Every man, except
labourers, carried a dagger. The porter had become so accustomed to the
sight of Roger, that he usually opened the door for him at once, with a
nod of greeting. But this morning, when he looked from the wicket to
see who it was, he did not open the door, but stood silently behind it.
Roger wondered what this new style of conduct meant.

"May I within, by your good leave, to see my sister?" he asked.

"You may within, if you desire to tarry here, by my Lord's good leave,"
said the porter; "but you'll not see your sister."

"Why, what's ado?" asked Roger in consternation.

"Removed," answered the porter shortly.

"Whither?"

"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies," was the proverbial
reply.

"Lack-a-day! Can I find out?"

The porter elevated his eyebrows, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Come within a moment," said he.

Roger obeyed, and the porter drew him into his lodge, where he spoke in
a cautious whisper.

"Master Hall, you be an honest man; and though I am here found, yet I
trust so am I. If you be likewise a wise man, you will find somewhat to
keep you at home for the future. Whither Mistress Benden is now taken,
I could not tell you if I would: but this can I say, you'll follow if
you have not a care. Be ruled by me, that am dealing by you as by a
friend, and keep out of Canterbury when you are out, and let that be as
soon as you may. For your good stuff, leave it an' you will for
Mistress Potkin: but if you tarry here, or return and be taken, say not
you were not warned. Now, void your basket, and go."

Like a man dazed or in a dream, Roger Hall slowly emptied his basket of
the good things which he had brought for Alice. He was will