led. "I had you brought hither to save you--"

"To save me! Ha, you--you to save me--"

"Because you are not man enough to die yet," she went on in her calm,
grave voice, "so I will save you alive that haply you may grow more
worthy."

"So 'twas by your orders? The boy lied then!" says I choking with my
anger. "'Twas you gave him the key! 'Twas you bade him bring me
hither--"

"Where none shall dare seek you!" says she, all unmoved by my bitter
rage, "So do I give you life, Martin Conisby, praying God you may find
your manhood one day--"

"Life!" quoth I, getting to my feet, "My life at your hands? Now look
ye, madam, rather will I hang unjustly, rather will I endure again the
shame of the lash--aye by God's light, rather will I rot in chains or
perish of plague than take my life at your hands. So now, madam, I'll
out of this perfumed nest and hang if I must!" saying which I turned to
the door, but she checked me with a gesture.

"Stay!" she commanded, "Would you shame me?" And now though she
fronted me with proud head erect, I saw her cheek flush painfully.

"Aye, verily!" quoth I, "A lady's honour is delicate ware and not to be
cheapened by such poor rogue as I! Fear nothing, lady, I will go as--"
I stopped all at once, as came footsteps without and a light tapping on
the door.

"Who is it?" she called, lightly enough, and shot the bolt with nimble
fingers.

"Only I, sweet coz," answered a gay voice, "And I come but to warn you
not to venture on deck to-morrow till justice hath been done upon our
prisoner."

"Shall you--hang him, Rupert?"

"Assuredly! 'Tis a black rogue and merits a worse fate."

"Is he then tried and condemned already, Rupert?"

"Nay, though 'twill be soon done. We have come on such evidence of his
guilt as doth condemn him out of hand."

"What evidence, cousin?"

"His doublet all besmirched with his victim's blood. The man is a very
devil and must hang at dawn. So, Joan, stir not abroad in the morning
until I come to fetch you. A fair, good night, sweet coz, and sweet
dreams attend thee!" And away trips Sir Rupert and leaves us staring
on one another, she proud and gracious in all her dainty finery and I a
very hang-dog fellow, my worn garments smirched by the grime of my many
hiding-places.

"Was this indeed your doublet?" she questioned at last.

"It was."

"How came it stained with blood?" For answer I shrugged my shoulders
and turned away. "Have you noth